More than 90% of delegates participate in Iron County GOP convention

Written by Jeff Richards
April 9, 2022
Delegates cast their ballots during Iron County GOP convention, Cedar City, Utah, April 8, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

CEDAR CITY — At Friday evening’s well-attended Iron County Republican convention, a majority of delegates voted for incumbent Iron County Commissioners Mike Bleak and Paul Cozzens to be the party’s choices on the upcoming election ballot.

Iron County Republican Party chairman Volney Morin speaks during Iron County GOP convention, Cedar City, Utah, April 8, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

However, the respective challengers in both of those races will still appear on the GOP primary ballot in June. In the race for county commission Seat “A,” currently held by Bleak, challenger Destry Griffiths garnered more than 40% of the delegate votes, thereby advancing to the primary.

Bleak received 154 of the 270 delegate votes cast, or 57%, while Griffiths received the other 116, or 43%.

In the race for county commission Seat “B,” Cozzens garnered 179 delegate votes in his bid for a second term, or 66.3%. Challenger Steve Miller received the other 91 votes, or 33.7%. However, Miller said afterward that he has already gathered the required 600 voter signatures to ensure himself a spot on the primary ballot.

During the meeting, Iron County GOP vice chair Mari Eddy thanked the delegates for the “incredible” turnout that was just over 90%, with 270 out of a possible 298 county delegates present. The convention took place in the Canyon View High School auditorium.

Prior to the vote, each of the four county commission candidates was given six minutes to speak to the delegates.

Iron County Commission candidate Destry Griffiths speaks during Iron County GOP convention, Cedar City, Utah, April 8, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

During his remarks, Griffiths said that if elected, he would bring a “personal touch” to the table.

“The position has so much potential,” he added. “It could be expanded upon in order to bring additional harmony, cooperation and partnership within the communities within the county lines.”

Added Griffiths: “It is my desire to restore the Republican roots in reclaiming and reframing Republican principles by spotlighting them and building on our ideals.”

“We need to stop retreating and instead rise up and protect your Republican values, which are freedom, liberty, free market capitalism and privacy,” he added.

Iron County Commissioner Mike Bleak speaks during Iron County GOP convention, Cedar City, Utah, April 8, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

Bleak, a lifelong resident of Iron County who has served on the county commission since 2016, began his remarks by citing his background in law enforcement. He then addressed a question that he said he often gets asked: “What is the proper role of government?”

“Basically, the role of government, as I see it, is for us to do the bare minimum as far as regulations and things like that, and then get out of the way of progress,” Bleak said, adding, “Private entities, private businesses and private citizens are much more accustomed and much more equipped to get things done quicker and better than the government. It’s my job to be a steward of your hard-earned money, and then get out of the way of progress.” 

Iron County Commissioner Paul Cozzens speaks during Iron County GOP convention, Cedar City, Utah, April 8, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

During his remarks, Cozzens also spoke of his background and experience, which includes eight years on the Cedar City Council and four years on the Iron County Commission.

“I’m running for a second term on the Iron County Commission because I love this county and I want to secure a bright future for the next generation,” he said.

Cozzens also talked of the difficulties associated with the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the negative economic impacts that were felt by many.

“In Iron County, all workers are essential,” Cozzens said. “No job is more important than the job that feeds your family.”

“This county was shaped by pioneers with a can-do attitude,” Cozzens added. “And by defending personal freedom, we allow that same attitude to flourish as we keep working on fostering American values in our community. By protecting taxpayers, fighting government overreach, safeguarding our quality of life and working to improve our water resources, we can ensure everyone has the ability to live fulfilling and prosperous lives.”

Miller said he decided to run for county commission because he is concerned about “the direction that Iron County is heading.”

Iron County Commission candidate Steve Miller speaks during Iron County GOP convention, Cedar City, Utah, April 8, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

“I’ve always believed if you want something done, you roll up your sleeves and get to work,” he said. “I can sit back and complain or I can be part of the solution.”

Miller cited his own background growing up on a ranch in southern Utah.

“My desire to serve comes from my parents, who always saw an opportunity to help others,” he said. “Giving back always seems to be part of my life. For the last 16 years, I’ve been blessed to own a nonprofit organization for people with disabilities.”

Miller also spoke of water issues, public safety and the need to update the general master plan.

“I promise to be a transparent, active custodian to your tax dollars and give you a seat at the table,” he concluded.

The incumbent candidates for four other county-level seats are running unopposed and were accepted by the delegates via acclamation. They are Iron County Sheriff Ken Carpenter, Iron County Attorney Chad Dotson, Iron County Clerk Jon Whittaker and Iron County Auditor Dan Jessen.

On a similar note, state Rep. Rex Shipp of House District 72 faces no GOP challengers, so he won’t be on the June primary ballot, although he will be up against Democrat Dallas Joseph Guymon and Piper Manesse of the United Utah party in November.

Meanwhile, state Sen. Evan Vickers (R-Cedar City) does have two in-party challengers in his bid for re-election in state Senate District 28, namely Russell Sias and Patrick L. Larson. All three spoke Friday night for three minutes each. However, a delegate vote wasn’t taken for that race, as District 28 spans multiple counties. The winner of the June primary in that race will face Libertarian challenger Barry Short and Patricia Bradford of United Utah Party in November.

Meanwhile, in the U.S. Senate, Sen. Mike Lee is facing several challengers, including three GOP candidates who were present on Friday and spoke briefly, namely Loy Brunson, Jeremy Friedbaum and Evan Barlow. Other GOP candidates in that statewide race include Ally Isom and Becky Edwards, each of whom has already gathered the requisite 28,000 signatures to secure a spot on the June primary ballot. 

A handful of other speakers were also invited to give brief remarks as the ballots were being counted, including U.S. Rep. Chris Stewart, state treasurer Marlo Oaks, state Rep. Carl Albrecht of House District 70 and state school board candidate Kim Pickett.

Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson speaks during Iron County GOP convention, Cedar City, Utah, April 8, 2022 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News / Cedar City News

Also in attendance was Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, who expressed her appreciation for those in attendance.

“You all have important work to do tonight,” she said. “Thank you so much for being willing to do that work. Thank you for being civically engaged.”

Added Henderson: “As Ronald Reagan once said, ‘Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance. It must be fought for and defended by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. Those who have known freedom and then lost it, have never known it again.'”

Before and after the main meeting, various candidates and campaign volunteers greeted delegates and answered questions out in the hallway. In addition to those already mentioned, there were also multiple candidates for Iron County School Board in attendance.

Next up for the Republican candidates is the statewide GOP nominating convention in Sandy on April 23. The statewide primary election is June 28, with mail-in ballots going out about three weeks prior.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jeff Richards, a native of Salt Lake City with family roots in Panguitch, lived in Moab for 20 years before joining St. George News in 2017. Jeff is a longtime journalist and secondary school teacher. He and his wife Penny are the parents of five daughters. They also have three young grandsons and one granddaughter. Jeff and his family enjoy swimming, camping, sightseeing, reading, and taking pictures.

Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @stgnews@moabjeff@stgnewssports

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