Petition alleges Attorney General John Swallow violated Utah election laws

House Speaker Becky Lockhart, R-Provo, said she and other lawmakers are too busy at this point to pay much attention to the Swallow controversy.

"We're not obsessing about it. We're concerned about it. We're watching to see the developments that are occurring, but we are busy doing the people's business and we will continue to do that," Lockhart said. 

Gov. Gary Herbert said he hopes the petition is not politically motivated.

"I am confident if they find any violations of federal or state law they will turn that over to appropriate authorities and we'll have some kind of resolution," Herbert said. "I know it's hard for people to be patient, and sometimes politics rears its ugly head and says, 'Well, we'll make some statement for political purposes.'"

Young-Otterstrom denied any political motivations.

"This is not a witch hunt," she said.

Martindale said Utahns don't have to wait on the federal investigation because state law provides civil remedies that can be pursued. 

"The citizens of this state can no longer afford to sit around, holding their collective breath, waiting for justice to be served," she said.

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