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A.G. John Swallow doesn't attend, but GOP leaders don't ignore elephant in the room

Allegations against Utah attorney general concern party officials

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By Marjorie Cortez, Deseret News

Published: Saturday, Feb. 16 2013 2:20 p.m. MST

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Summary

Embattled Utah Attorney General John Swallow may have been a no-show at the state Republican Party's Central Committee meeting Saturday, but there was no ignoring the elephant in the room.

More Coverage
  • Democrats try to question Swallow, call for ethics reform

As a Republican elected to statewide office, Swallow is a member of the party's Central Committee. Gov. Gary Herbert also did not attend Saturday's meeting. Party officials said 110 of 180 committee members were in attendance.

Swallow has also been accused of taking campaign donations from companies in exchange for favorable treatment should they run into regulatory problems. He has strongly denied all of the allegations against him. The FBI is investigating the accusations.

• In other business, the Central Committee voted 58-29 to condemn statements and actions of Drew Chamberlain, the state party secretary. Chamberlain posted blogs on Utah's Clean Politics Facebook page that referred to President Obama as "Husein" (sic) and made a derogatory remark about first lady Michelle Obama's appearance.

The resolution puts Chamberlain on notice that "any future public comments or acts unbecoming a state party secretary, as determined by the State Central Committee, may result in his removal from party office."

• Committee members also supported a resolution that called on Congress to find reasonable and responsible solutions to resolve the nation's broken immigration system.

The resolution also says the party will be more proactive reaching out to Hispanics, acknowledging that their values align well with Republican values.

Marco Diaz, chairman of the Utah Republican Hispanic Assembly, said passing such a resolution likely would not have been possible two years ago.

Diaz said he has been active in Utah Republican in politics for 13 years. "I've never had as much support as I've had the last three months," he said.

But after the disappointment of the November election, Republicans know they must do a better job of reaching Latinos, women and youth, he said.

"What a great opportunity."

E-mail: marjorie@desnews.com

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  • Democrats try to question Swallow, call for ethics reform

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Featured Comments

See all 15 comments »
Poqui
Murray, UT

Public officials need to be held to a higher standard. The appearance of impropriety ought to be enough to call for their resignation. Mr Swallow has placed a seed of doubts in Utahn's minds, that is enough for him to step down as the top law More..

  • 8:18 a.m. Feb. 17, 2013
  • Top comment
JoeBlow
Far East USA, SC

As far as our politicians go, there are things that are clearly wrong and there are things that are clearly illegal.

Unfortunately, the two do not always coincide.

  • 6:25 a.m. Feb. 17, 2013
  • Top comment
Aaron Gabrielson
HEBER CITY, UT

After talking with other members of the GOP central committee yesterday, I think they prefer to let the legal process takes its course before they do anything. Personally, I would like the party to show some leadership on this issue. I want to send More..

  • 10:25 a.m. Feb. 17, 2013
  • Top comment
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Marjorie Cortez

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