SALT LAKE CITY – Equality Utah, a major LGBTQ+ advocacy organization in the state, made headlines last week after its political action committee (PAC) endorsed several Republicans. However, the candidates in one contested local race say the controversy obscures the issues that matter most to voters.
Democrats say Equality Utah missed the mark
Equality Utah announced its PAC endorsements for the 2026 midterm election on Sept. 7. The list included Republicans Anthony Loubet, Chris McConnehey, Nicole McDermott, and Mike Bird.
A group of Utah Democrats released a statement soon after, calling the endorsements disappointing.
“There were talented, openly queer candidates on the ballot this year, running real, competitive campaigns, and in multiple races Equality Utah either declined to endorse them or endorsed their opponents instead. That’s not a small oversight. It’s a departure from what this organization is supposed to stand for,” the coalition wrote.
However, Equality Utah stood by the PAC’s endorsements.
In a statement, the PAC’s board chair, Max Green, said that while the disappointment from the community was understandable, the PAC doesn’t base endorsements solely on political party or identity.
“[The PAC] evaluates candidates through a deliberative process that considers their commitment to Utah’s LGBTQ community, their ability to build bridges and govern effectively, the strength and viability of their campaigns, the potential impact of an endorsement, and the strategic opportunities presented by each race,” the statement read.
Green emphasized that Equality Utah’s success has depended on building connections outside of “any one political party, ideology, geography, or identity” for over 25 years. The organization has a history of working with the state’s Republican leaders to pass non-discrimination legislation.
Candidates push past identity politics
As commenters on social media expressed frustration over the endorsements, one name kept coming up.
Democrat Luke Maynes, who is running for the Salt Lake County Council District 3 seat and is bisexual, was mentioned several times because Equality Utah chose to endorse Republican candidate Mike Bird.
The District 3 seat represents Murray and much of the county’s west side, including Taylorsville, West Jordan, and West Valley City. The seat has the potential to switch hands from Republican to Democrat control in 2026’s midterm elections.
Maynes told Utah Junction that the discussion around the endorsements had been frustrating. Coverage of the story has left out LGBTQ+ voices, including Maynes’.
“I think a lot of people in my community are sick of being made into a political pawn a discussion item instead of a participant in the conversation,” Maynes said.
That’s part of the benefit of having LGBTQ+ elected officials, Maynes said.
“Representation really helps to close that gap, to make sure that we’re involved in those discussions.”
Maynes said while representation matters, the focus should really be on creating policies that make a real difference in people’s lives.
“I am queer, and I’m endorsed by a lot of other queer organizations. But that’s not my focus. My focus is on doing the job that I’m applying for here by running for office, which is making things better for Salt Lake County residents.”
Bird, the Republican running for District 3, told Utah Junction that he agreed with Maynes. Bird said he hated the politicization of both the endorsements and the identities of candidates, and said it gets in the way of effective governing.
“Even though Salt Lake County’s race is a partisan race, the issues that are affecting all of us are not partisan. And so the minute you insert partisan politics, we start to exclude a lot of people,” Bird said.
Ultimately, Maynes and Bird both said they want Salt Lake County to have a representative that fights for issues affecting residents, like affordability and housing.
“This county needs to be a county that if you work hard, if you work here in the county, you should be able to afford to live here in the county,” Maynes said.
