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Utah Republicans largely silent about Trump victory

Posted at 6:39 PM, May 04, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-04 20:39:50-04

SALT LAKE CITY -- Utah politicians were distinctly silent in their response to Donald Trump wrapping up the GOP nomination for President of the United States.

Among Utah’s six members of Congress, none endorsed Donald Trump, but Second District Congressman Chris Stewart issued a statement explaining why he still thought it was important to vote for a Republican:

"While Mr. Trump wasn't my first choice, we must move forward and unite to defeat Hillary Clinton. With as many as 4 vacancies on the Supreme Court over the next few years, our future president will shift the court — and our country's policies — for generations. We must unite around conservative principles to get our country back on track."

Utah First District Congressman Rob Bishop didn’t overtly say he would support Trump, but seemed to hint at it in this statement:

“Having endorsed Rubio, and later being elected as a Cruz delegate, the Trump campaign may want me to endorse Clinton. My hope is that we have a president willing to work with Congress to make changes. I know my committee is prepared to move with bold reforms and not be timid. If the president is merely a continuation of the status quo, it will mean four more years of guerrilla warfare. As someone who never watched any of Trump’s reality shows, I’m anxious to watch his prime time efforts.”

And Utah Governor Gary Herbert was equally reluctant to state outright support for the all-but-certain nominee when asked at a bill-signing event.

“I hope to have the opportunity to talk to Mr.Trump and maybe vet him a little better and see what he thinks about Utah values and principals,” Herbert said.

While not endorsing Trump, Herbert made clear he would not support a Democrat.

“I certainly don't see myself voting for Senator Clinton or for Bernie Sanders, an avowed socialist,” Herbert added.