Students participate in GOP convention
After attending the Utah Republican Convention, some USU students expressed the notion that the biggest difference between state and local politics is the atmosphere in which they are presented.
“It’s almost an overblown-beyond-reality sort of attitude when it came to the state convention,” said Rhett Wilkinson, a state delegate and a USU junior studying political science. “The county convention was more low key. You went from like a science fair to a hall of fame.”
Carrie Dickson, the state Republican Party parliamentarian, said students left their ages at the doors of the South Towne Expo Center in Sandy, Utah, and simply became delegates Saturday.
“We don’t differentiate once they’re on the floor,” Dickson said. “We just have a group of delegates.”
For campaigns, each delegate symbolized one more vote that could lengthen the distance between candidates, she said – in other words, every delegate counts.
“As soon as we walked in, there was an onslaught of people handing out fliers, bags, water bottles, buttons – any kind of paraphernalia they could get in your hand,” said Dustin Wood, a state delegate and sophomore studying computer science. “It was kind of overwhelming and kind of exciting at the same time to see that everyone was focused on me.”
“They swarm like bees on honey,” Wilkinson said. “Once you throw on your delegate credentials, it’s over. You are slammed by various campaigners.”
Wilkinson said the level of promotion is something to be expected.
“It’s slightly out of control, for sure, but there are reasons,” he said. “Even if I didn’t expect it, I probably wouldn’t think it would be too much. This is a big decision after all. These are the men or women with the authority to change how our lives will be conducted.”
Dickson said she has been involved in conventions for 12 years now, and despite the festive atmosphere at the state level, she said she doesn’t see political dissimilarity between state and local conventions.
“I don’t find a great deal of difference between the two,” Dickson said. “You’re there to elect the same kind of people on whatever the boundary level is. It’s just whether you have more or less delegates.”
Wood said the unity among such a large number of delegates at the state convention really stood out.
“In the common-sense things, everyone was together,” Wood said. “Just seeing that unity, just getting that feel – we agree on these things – was amazing to experience.”
When it came to making motions outside of the election, Wood said the delegates came together.
“It was so exciting to see people coming from different backgrounds and areas of Utah standing together to vote,” Wood said. “This is Utah. This is who we are. This is our party.”
Wood said it was interesting to see prominent political figures sitting down with such everyday people as the student-delegates.
“I sat two rows in front of our state Sen. Lyle Hillyard,” Wood said. “He was just one of the guys there. It was amazing to see how these people who have power and influence in our government were just there, doing their own thing.”
Dickson said this connection between the politicians and their constituents is just one more way Utah stands out politically from other states.
“I don’t know of another state that can say the same thing,” Dickson said. “Our leaders are from us. They’re just like us. They don’t think they’re better than us, but they are willing to sacrifice and do the service.”
She said it is important for everyone, from students to current politicians, to continually involve themselves politically. Old and young, firefighter and lawyer – they all work to balance each other out, she said.
“Everyone kind of has a different perspective, and that’s really what gives you a well-rounded vote,” Dickson said.
Involvement gives students a chance to learn the ropes from veteran delegates, Dickson said.
“It’s all a very big learning experience,” she said. “Involvement now gives us the chance to teach them life principles – what we stand for.”
Wood said after an experience like this one, he will always look for opportunities to be politically active.
“I can’t go back now,” Wood said. “This is my first caucus and convention, and I don’t want to be any less involved. I just can’t wait to see if I can do more to be involved, because it’s just so exhilarating to be a part of creating Utah’s tomorrow.”
– brianna.b@aggiemail.usu.edu