Your Daily Guide

Equality Utah is facing pushback over their 2026 endorsements after the LGBTQ advocacy group backed some Republican candidates, including in races against openly queer candidates. The controversy is raising a bigger question about what the organization’s political endorsements should prioritize: queer representation or building relationships across party lines?

• Equality Utah endorsed Republican Mike Bird over openly queer Democrat Luke Maynes. Bird told ABC4 his connection to the community is personal (his twin brother is married to a man) and emphasized his interest in bipartisan collaboration. But in 2024, Utah Democrats dubbed him “MAGA Mike,” for his support of MAGA extremists and running for the Utah Legislature on a GOP platform (suspending birthright citizenship, abortion bans, etc.). Equality Utah endorsed Bird in that 2024 race, too. [ABC4, Utah Democratic Party]
• Anthony Loubet’s endorsement is also drawing scrutiny. In 2024, he was one of three Republicans who joined Democrats in opposing HB257 which restricted transgender access to certain public bathrooms. But this year, Loubet voted in favor of HB183, an anti-trans bill that would have replaced the word “gender” with “sex” in Utah code. [Utah News Dispatch, Better Utah]
• A coalition of Utah Democratic officials and candidates penned a letter publicly criticizing Equality Utah. They argue that organizations like Equality Utah play an important role in building queer political representation. Notably, several who signed the letter were endorsed by Equality Utah themselves. [ABC4]
• Equality Utah said “LGBTQ identity alone doesn’t determine an endorsement.” They consider candidates’ commitments to LGBTQ Utahns, ability to build bridges, and where their endorsements and resources can have the greatest impact. [Instagram, ABC4]

Trump Administration Targets Utah LG

The Department of Justice is investigating Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson over her refusal to share personal voter information with the Trump administration. As the state's chief election officer, Henderson has been holding out for months, saying handing the data over would violate Utah's privacy laws. [Salt Lake Tribune]

Jon Stewart Grills Cox

We watched Gov. Spencer Cox on "The Daily Show" this week so you don't have to. He's doing the rounds promoting his new book, and Jon Stewart had some very pointed questions for him about the Great Salt Lake, Pride Month, and more. Check out our Instagram post for the highlights. [YouTube, Instagram]

Local Alternatives to Chains

Utahns love chain restaurants, as evidenced by the long line of cars in the In-N-Out drive thru. With the recent opening of salad spot Sweetgreen in Sugar House, we brainstorm some Utah-based options to support instead. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]