Claim OwnershipInside Utah Politics with Lindsay Aerts
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© Lindsay Aerts 2025
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Each week on Inside Utah Politics, we'll dive into the most pressing stories- from Utah’s Capitol Hill, to your local government and across the nation, exploring how decisions made in the halls of power affect everyday lives. Whether you're a seasoned political observer or just beginning to engage with the issues, we've got analysis, interviews, and insight to help you stay informed and think critically about the world around you.
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As the Utah legislature looks to expand the state's Supreme Court, the Utah State Bar says that they would rather have resources come to the lower courts. They discuss the pros and cons of appellate expansion. Plus, Eva Lopez Chavez shares her goals for Congress as she launches her bid in Utah's first district.
President Donald Trump addressed the nation in prime time, touting wins on the economy, immigration and healthcare. Panelists Adam Gardiner and Rusty Cannon join Lindsay to evaluate some of his claims and assess the president’s standing heading into the all-important 2026 midterms. The president’s chief of staff Susie Wiles, in the meantime, is pushing back on reporting from Vanity Fair that takes a candid, it at times unflattering, look at how the White House is running behind the scenes. Additional Referenceshttps://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2025/united-states-18-trillion-dollars-investments/https://emersoncollegepolling.com/december-2025-national-poll-trumps-approval-flips-since-start-of-…https://apnorc.org/projects/trumps-approval-rating-slips-on-the-economy-and-immigration/https://boltsmag.org/whats-on-the-ballot/state-supreme-courts/
The Utah legislature is looking to expand the state Supreme Court from five members to seven in the upcoming legislative session. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray weigh in on whether that's good for Utah, and the perception that the legislature may be trying to overturn some recent rulings that didn't go their way. Plus, Australia's social media ban for minors is making waves in the U.S., and President Trump says he's closer to declassifying marijuana.
Utah lawmakers have pushed back filing deadlines to give themselves more time to fight the fight over redistricting. At the same time, they repealed the controversial ban on public sector union collective bargaining, HB 267, avoiding a costly battle at the ballot box next year. Panelists Sarah Reale and Rusty Cannon weigh in on what the impacts could be and where the legislature goes from here. Meanwhile, democrats plow ahead with plans to run in the newly-drawn, blue-leaning district 1. Former State Senator Derek Kitchen joins the show to explain how he plans to stand out in a growing field.
December 9th's special session paved the way for appeals in the redistricting case and repealed the controversial union law known best as HB 267. Panelists Sarah Reale and Erin Rider unpack the impact of lawmakers' latest moves and what the appeals process could look like. Additionally, they discuss the U of U private equity deal and the implications on college sports programs, as well as the Salt Lake County budget cuts.
The Utah State Legislature held a special session on December 9 hoping to buy more time to appeal Utah's redistricting ruling. They also repealed the collective bargaining ban, HB267. Lawmakers are paving the way for future appeals for the redistricting case. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray recap the session, including the comments by Sen. Nate Blouin and the referendum on HB267.
In a surprise press conference days before Thanksgiving, state lawmakers announce that they're launching a three-pronged approach to challenge a Utah judge's ruling, which created a democrat leaning congressional district in Salt Lake County. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray weigh in in what's likely to happen next and what it means for the nearing 2026 midterm election cycle. Plus, state leaders announce the new name and branding for the winter games set to kick off in less than 3,000 days: Utah 2034. The new logo has drawn some serious criticism. And, will Gov. Spencer Cox run for president? We dig into all these topics on a special Thanksgiving week edition of IUP+.
In an ABC4 exclusive, one of the candidates for Utah's newly drawn first congressional district joins Lindsay to make their campaign official. Plus, Sen. Kathleen Riebe joins the show to outline her priorities and what lane she'll occupy in a primary that grows more crowded by the day. We wrap things up with
New reporting indicates Utah's four GOP representatives in the House are gaming where they will run under the new congressional district map that seems to reduce the number of seats where conservatives can win. Panelists Erin Rider and Adam Gardiner discuss what that process could look like. Plus, a panel of federal judges rejects the map Texas passed to shore up come midterms, and the president has signed the bill to release DOJ files related to the notorious late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein
We've got what seems to be the first bit of drama of the democratic primary for Utah's newly minted blue-leaning seat. Salt Lake City Council member Eva Lopez Chavez now says she did not endorse former congressman Ben McAdams' bid to return to Washington. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray weigh in on what to make of the confusion and what democrats need to be doing now to prepare for midterms. Plus, the Utah judiciary is condemning threats against Judge Gibson over her ruling in the redistricting case.
The Utah legislature is still weighing its options when it comes to fighting a judge's decision to toss out their congressional map in favor of one proposed by the groups suing them. House Majority Whip Rep. Candice Pierucci joins Lindsay to share the GOP majority's thoughts of an appeal strategy, a special session and even impeaching the judge. Plus, former Utah congressman Ben McAdams is officially running for Utah's newly minted Democrat-friendly district 1. Hear how he hopes to set himself apart in what is due to be a crowded field.
The legal drama over Utah's congressional maps likely isn't over. Utah GOP leadership tells us they are keeping all options on the table, including different sorts of appeals of impeaching judge Gibson. Panelists Sarah Reale and Rusty Cannon join Lindsay to discuss the fallout from the redistricting decision and where the Republican lawmakers are likely to go from here. Plus, Kathleen Riebe and Ben McAdams announce their plans to run for congress. Who has the best chance to win in what looks to be one of Utah's most liberal districts in decades?
A Utah judge has blocked the Utah legislature's map C, ruling it violated the state's anti-gerrymandering law known as Proposition 4. The midnight ruling sent shockwaves through deeply red Utah, as the judge ruled that the plaintiff's map 1, which will, in all likelihood, solidify a Democrat in Congress, is the map that will govern Utah's 2026 midterms. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray break down the impacts on Utah politics, criticisms of the ruling, and what's next.
Utah Democrats were denied after they pushed for a special session of the Utah legislature to fund SNAP benefits from Utah's rainy-day fund. Panelists Adam Gardiner and Rusty Cannon break down whether that's the government's role. Ben McAdams is reportedly running for Congress, President Trump's tariffs were in front of SCOTUS, and NYC has a new mayor.
Thousands of Utahns are getting ready to go to the polls on Tuesday to vote in hundreds of races across the state. This year, there's a new election law in effect, and you'll need to understand it if you want to make sure your vote counts. Plus, there are dozens of new races on the ballot this year. Lindsay sits down with Salt Lake County Clerk Lannie Chapman and Rich Stowell from the sunsetting Alpine School District to explain it all.
Utah’s municipal election races are coming to a close as final votes get counted. Panelists Leah Murray and Taylor Morgan discuss the Sandy mayoral, Riverton mayoral, Ogden Valley, Ogden City, and other races across the state. New York City also saw an historic election, as did Democrats in Virginia, New Jersey, and Georgia.
Salt Lake County has announced a $3 million budget cut by closing four daycares. Panelists Sarah Reale and Erin Rider delve into whether the cuts were a good decision, whether the government should provide daycare, and if not, who should? Former Utah Attorney Sean Reyes is being sued by a former client for malicious prosecution. And, construction has started on the Power District, west of downtown.
As Utah's redistricting case moves on, Utahns don't seem to be paying close attention. That's according to some new polling from the Deseret News. Panelists Leah Murray and Taylor Morgan discuss why. Speaker of the House Mike Schultz released a video addressing the court case, and where the case stands. Plus, municipals are coming up and some are using their political parties to get a leg up, despite races being non-partisan.
Municipal elections are just days away now. Utahns are voting for local leadership in dozens of races across the state. Governing Group executive director Kyle Friant has his fingers on the pulse. He joins Lindsay to walk us through some of the mostly hotly contested races. Meanwhile, the mayor of Salt Lake County has proposed a nearly 20% property tax hike. She says the county needs to offset rising costs from inflation. Council members Aimee Winder Newton and Suzanne Harrison explain their approaches to the proposal and tell us whether they think the mayor will get the full 20%.
Salt Lake and Davis counties have proposed property tax raises of roughly 20% and higher. Panelists Adam Gardiner and Rusty Cannon weigh in on whether the proposals will stick. Plus, Utah State Senator Daniel Thatcher (District 11, Forward party) has announced his intention to resign from the legislature ahead of the next general session, and the Forward party will fill his seat. Plus, they weigh in on the demolition of the White House's east wing.
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