Utah Senate Republicans change leadership

SALT LAKE CITY — The Republican majority in the Utah Senate has changed leadership after the 2024 elections.

After meeting in caucus, GOP senators voted to replace Majority Leader Evan Vickers, R-Cedar City, with Sen. Kirk Cullimore, R-Sandy, to serve as assistant majority whip. Majority Whip Anne Millner, R-Ogden, was replaced by Sen. Chris Wilson, R-Logan. Sen. Mike McKell, R-Spanish Fork, is the new assistant majority whip.

Only Senate President J. Stewart Adams, R-Layton, remains in place.

At a news conference Thursday night after the election, the new Senate team was quick to say this is not a removal of anyone for a particular political or political position, but a chance for new people to step into leadership positions.

“It wasn’t about a different policy, direction or anything like that. I think in terms of direction, the Senate caucus is very pleased with the direction the Senate is heading,” said Senator Cullimore.

Senator McKell said this is “an opportunity to serve in this capacity.” Senate Democrats will choose their leadership on Friday.

Meanwhile, the leadership of the House of Representatives remains the same after closed caucus meetings. House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, remains in place, serving with House Majority Leader Jefferson Moss, R-Saratoga Springs; House Majority Whip Karianne Lisonbee, R-Clearfield; and Assistant Majority Whip Casey Snyder, R-Paradise. At their own press conference, Speaker Shultz said he was excited about the Trump administration taking office, especially when it comes to issues of national sovereignty and public lands. He also said energy policy will be a top priority for lawmakers next year.

The speaker told reporters the discussion would center around election transparency (including whether the lieutenant governor should be kept in charge of elections) and energy policy. He also spoke about heated battle between legislature and courts over constitutional amendments, expressing some regret over it.

“I made a few mistakes. I acknowledge that,” Speaker Schultz said.

Asked what errors he was referring to, the House speaker responded by saying how the ballot text was written – which the courts said was “misleading” to voters. The speaker insisted that this was true, but it could have been written differently. He hinted that legislation to address this problem is expected to be passed soon.

“The question is, who writes this language and what goes into it?” – he said.