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.
59 Episodes
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Utah's redistricting battle got heated this week- with no final agreement on the a single map for public consideration. Republicans and Democrats on the committee both accused the other side of favoring their electoral interests when drawing these maps. Republican Rep. Candace Pierucci and Democratic Rep. Doug Owens join Lindsay to discuss their positions and the ongoing efforts to find common ground before a final vote on October 6th.
A court-ordered redrawing of congressional districts sparked heated debate between Republicans and Democrats during their second and final public hearing on Wednesday. Panelists Rusty Cannon and Sarah Reale weigh in on who was right and who was wrong. Plus, they debate the partisan bias test and whether there should be one or multiple. Links to follow along at home:https://le.utah.gov/interim/2025/pdf/00003659.pdf and https://le.utah.gov/interim/2025/pdf/00003630.pdf
The Utah legislature has released five new maps as a part of their court-ordered redistricting. Panelists Leah Murray and Taylor Morgan do a deep dive into the details of those maps, where they're split, and whether they favor one party. They also debate the newly proposed partisan bias test and whether it should be used to determine if the maps unduly favor or disfavor any party. Link to the maps : https://le.utah.gov/interim/2025/pdf/00003630.pdf
Two Utah lawmakers on opposite sides of the aisle join Lindsay to discuss moving forward after the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Plus, the legislature is on the clock to redraw Utah's congressional maps after the state Supreme Court denied their latest appeal in the gerrymandering case. Panelists Leah Murray and Erin Rider discuss. We also meet the head of Utah's newest office to manage disputes between homeowners' associations and the law.
A Utah State Senator has proposed creating a memorial to Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University. Panelists Leah Murray and Erin Rider discuss its funding and the appropriateness of the memorial. Kash Patel appeared before the Senate to address questions surrounding the FBI’s handling of Kirk's shooting, and Patel's handling of the case. They also weigh in on the latest developments with redistricting, including the new bipartisan commission's schedule.
Prosecutors in Utah County announced seven different charges against Tyler Robinson, the 22-year-old Washington County resident who is accused of shooting and killing conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah valley University last Wednesday. Panelist Taylor, Morgan and Leah Murray weigh in on how the case has impacted them, about the protections of the first amendment and free speech, and whether there's any bias in the handling or prosecuting of the case. They also discuss the latest ruling from the Utah Supreme Court that denied the legislature's request to stay the ruling, And what's next for the Utah legislature in Utah's our district in case.
The Utah Supreme Court has signaled it will address Utah's redistricting order. Meanwhile, the judge has amended her order admitting that she can't "order" the legislature to redistrict. Panelists Leah Murray and Sarah Reale weigh in. Utah's teachers could be disciplined for so-called immoral behavior, if a proposed Utah State Board of Education rule passes. Utah has raised $200 million for the Olympics, and Mitt Romney didn't like the Salt Lake Tribune satire.
Lawyers in Utah's redistricting case have agreed on a new timeline for new maps in Utah's redistricting case. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Rusty Cannon discuss that and the judge's ruling denying the Utah legislature's request for a stay. They also discuss what it means that all of the Utah Supreme Court nominees are men, that Mike Lee wants to rename the Department of Defense to the Department of War, and Utah is getting $5 million in a settlement with a major online pornography operator.
After a judge ordered the Utah legislature to redraw its congressional maps, legislative leaders have stated that they are moving forward with the process, despite disagreeing with the ruling. Could the legislature work to delay drawing new maps before 2026? And, will they change the initiative process in Utah? Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray discuss what's next after Utah's redistricting ruling.
After a court ruling ordering the Utah legislature to draw new congressional maps, the legislature has agreed to the 30-day timeline. But, House Speaker Mike Schultz and Senate President Stuart Adams argue that the timeframe "unconstitutionally ties the Legislature's hands." Panelists Rusty Cannon and Adam Gardiner discuss who has legislative redistricting power, whether Utah has gerrymandered districts, and where the case goes next.
Following a court ruling ordering the Utah legislature to redraw its congressional maps, the legislature has agreed to draw new maps but disagrees with the 30-day timeline. House Speaker Mike Schultz and Senate President Stuart Adams argue that the timeframe "unconstitutionally ties the Legislature's hands." The lawyer for Better Boundaries, League of Women Voters, and Mormon Women for Ethical Government, David Reymann, discusses what's next in the case. Plus, Senator Scott Sandall (R- Brigham City) breaks down why he believes the judge got the ruling wrong.
A Utah judge handed down a major ruling in Utah's redistricting case, ruling against the Utah legislature. The judge ruled that the legislature violated the Constitution when it dismantled a citizen-led ballot initiative known as Proposition 4. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray discuss what comes next in the case, and whether Utah will see new maps by the 2026 midterm elections.
Governor Cox is defending Senate President Stuart Adams after a report that he spurred a law change that benefited his step-granddaughter's child rape case. There is also speculation that the legislature might address the provision in the upcoming special session. It creates lighter sentences for 18-year-olds still in high school who have sex with 13-year-olds. Panelists Erin Rider and Sarah Reale weigh in on whether they think the legislature will address it. Meanwhile, the legislature will make changes to the management of the Great Salt Lake berm, and run a bill allowing the Governor to appoint Utah's chief justice in that special session. Our panelists weigh in.
Governor Cox is defending Senate President Stuart Adams after a report that he spurred a law change that benefited his step-granddaughter's child rape case. There is also speculation that the legislature might address the provision in the upcoming special session. It creates lighter sentences for 18-year-olds still in high school who have sex with 13-year-olds. State Senator Todd Weiler defends Adams' role and the policy. He also weighs in on why the legislature wants the Governor to appoint Utah's Chief Justice. Meanwhile, Great Salt Lake Commissioner Brian Steed outlines why the legislature wants to allow for more flexibility with the Great Salt Lake berm
President Adams is facing calls to resign from the base of his party after reporting by the Salt Lake Tribune that he influenced a law change that helped his granddaughter get a lesser charge for a sexual crime. As an 18-year-old, she was accused of having sex with a 13-year-old, a crime that would have amounted to rape because a 13-year-old cannot consent in Utah. Panelists Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray weigh in on whether the revelation will impact Adams' future in the Senate. President Trump says he wants to eliminate voting by mail nationwide, but Utah's Lt. Governor, Deidre Henderson, is pushing back, arguing that states have the right to choose how they conduct elections. Will anything change in Utah with voting by mail? And Utah lawmakers are expected to be called into a special legislative session in September. It's the Governor who sets that agenda, so what will be on it? Taylor, Leah, and Lindsay make their picks — fantasy draft style.
Utah's third district Congressman Mike Kennedy joins host Lindsay Aerts to discuss Texas redistricting, new debt estimates on the One Big, Beautiful Bill, wildfire mitigation, and the Epstein files. Plus, panelist Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray break down the fate of the Utah Debate Commission now that a founding member has resigned and their funding has gone to two universities to create their own debates instead.
A founding member of the Utah debate Commission resigned this week, criticizing GOP legislative leaders for "co-opting" debates in his exit letter. But Republicans have long criticized the UDC of being biased against them. Panelist Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray break down the fate of the Utah Debate Commission now that their funding has gone to two universities instead. House Speaker Mike Schultz has called for Great Salt Lake issues to be part of an upcoming special legislative session, what else could be on that agenda? Plus, our panelists discuss cuts to University of Utah programs and the latest on the Epstein files.
Utah's third district Congressman Mike Kennedy joins host Lindsay Aerts to discuss Texas redistricting, new debt estimates on the One Big, Beautiful Bill, wildfire mitigation, and the Epstein files. Plus, panelist Taylor Morgan and Leah Murray break down the fate of the Utah Debate Commission now that a founding member has resigned and their funding has gone to two universities to create their own debates instead.
A national Democratic PAC, Vote Save America is dumping some money into Utah in hopes of flipping some strongly held Republican state legislative seats. Panelists Erin Rider and Adam Gardiner weigh in on whether Elevate Strategies, the local democratic political firm chosen to recruit candidates, can make this a reality. Senate Democrats are unveiling another effort to try and force the release of the Epstein files. And Utah's Lt. Governor Deidre Henderson has been asked to hand over some voter information to the Department of Justice.
A national Democratic PAC, Vote Save America, is dumping some money into Utah in hopes of flipping some strongly held Republican state legislative seats mainly in Salt Lake County. Elevate Strategies founders Gabi Finlayson and Jackie Morgan explain how they plan to use the money and whether it's possible to flip these seats. Plus, Utah is days away from it's first election since changing the ballot deadline. Salt Lake County Clerk Lannie Chapman joins us to break down that ballots must be in the clerk's hands by 8 pm on Election Day.
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