Setting the Record Straight

I’ve read or heard of some political attacks from opponents that are based on inaccurate information. These kinds of attacks use deception and negative inferences to gain political advantage by triggering emotions of fear and doubt.

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They all follow a similar playbook:

• Cite “facts” that sound plausible but are untrue

• Take things out of context

• Omit available contradictory evidence

• Infer negative or selfish motivations
   

Below are examples of attacks that I’ve seen or heard, along with my response noting the distortion or deception in the claim. I always welcome constructive dialog in any area of disagreement, but using deception to make political claims undermines trust within our community and damages our democracy.

 

For more details about what you can do when faced with uncertainty about political claims, and to champion a positive political culture, see my piece in The Daily Herald here.

 

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Claim: He has ties and obligations to developers, including the Woodbury corporation.

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Response: I have no ties or obligations to developers, and I don’t accept money from developers. I have had opportunities to receive monetary donations from development-friendly organizations, which I have declined. I have no personal interest in development on 1600 North or anywhere else in the city. When Woodbury expanded its residential development around University Mall, I stood up in city council and opposed it. In 2021, after the city had agreed contracts with Woodbury I said that I was not interested in reneging on those contracts, which I felt would put the city in a position of acting in bad faith. I am conservative about development, always remain independent, and I believe that cities should honor their obligations when they agree to them.

 

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Claim: He has “shady alliances” and is supported by “dark money”.

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Response: I am endorsed by two political groups: Stronger Together and Governing Group. I accepted those endorsements because of the high-quality people that they choose to endorse, and because they prioritize building a positive civic culture. Neither group has a political ideology and neither has ever asked me to take any specific position on an issue. I have not received a monetary donation from either group, although Governing Group has provided some in-kind donations for consulting and campaign services that have helped me to better manage my campaign. Most of my donors are individual Orem donors who make small donations. I have never received any support from a 501(c)(4) organization, which has fewer rules about donor transparency. The individuals endorsing me come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Most are not members of Stronger Together.

 

 

Claim: He violated his employer’s political neutrality policies.

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Response: I work at BYU and the university has a political neutrality policy that ensures that the university is not perceived as endorsing or supporting any political candidates. That makes great sense. BYU also encourages employees to be engaged in their communities, run for office, and use their professional expertise to make communities better. BYU does not suggest that candidates should hide their employment or professional background from voters. That would not be transparent. I have not used BYU resources for political purposes or made any suggestion that BYU endorses me. You can read BYU’s policy here.

 

 

Claim: He makes his students campaign for him.

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Response: I never allow students in my classes to volunteer for my campaign in order to avoid any perceived conflict of interest between their schoolwork and volunteerism. I once asked former students if they knew of anyone who would be interested in working on my campaign and I have had some graduates of BYU and UVU help out along the way. I took a professional leave from BYU during my first campaign and have never been in a position of authority over anyone who volunteers to support my campaign.

 

 

Claim: He unfairly pushed to remain on a city commission and be appointed for a third term.

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Response: Most of the members of the city commission where I serve are in their third term. I never pushed to be reappointed and was reappointed by the mayor before considering candidacy for city council. 

 

 

Claim: He was a speechwriter for Hillary Clinton and campaigned with BYU students for Barack Obama.

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Response: I was a Franklin Fellow at the U.S. Department of State during the period when Hillary Clinton was the Secretary of State. This is a program that brings experts into government to support government functions. I was a civil servant in the office of policy planning and never a political appointee nor a speechwriter. I contributed my expertise on religion and other issues to communications when I could. I have never campaigned for any presidential candidate, with students or otherwise, and I was not at BYU when Obama was campaigning. I started teaching at BYU after President Obama’s election.

 

 

Claim: He is opposed to “Family City USA” and our family-friendly environment.

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Response: This is silly. I raised (and am still raising) my kids here and have consistently championed family-friendly events, activities, and places, including spending years as a youth recreation coach.

 

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I invite everyone to engage with issues thoughtfully and constructively, giving one another a measure of grace.