Red, white and blue: Becky Edwards at USU
Becky Edwards, a Republican candidate in the race for the U.S. Senate, made an appearance at Utah State University on Friday.
During her time on campus, she scheduled interviews, interacted with students, toured the university and participated on a panel for an event organized by the USU Government Relations Council.
Edwards has been to Southern Utah University, Snow College, her alma mater — Brigham Young University — and has a scheduled visit to the University of Utah. She said she does this to get young adults involved and to help them understand their voices can be heard.
“I think that people see that they may only be one voice, but you are part of a movement of young people who want to make a difference and I think it empowers you,” Edwards said. “I get discouraged when I hear young people say politics is not a place for them. We need you young people. We need your voices. We need your engagement. We need your perspectives.”
And not only does Edwards claim she can successfully represent college students and young adults, but she said she strongly believes she can represent all of Utah more effectively than the current leadership.
In a press release from May, Edwards said she’s watched politics become “divisive and dysfunctional,” and has finally decided that it was time for a change.
Specifically, Edwards points out Senator Mike Lee’s leadership has been ineffective and fails to take action.
“We’re seeing over and over that Senator Lee misses opportunities to really represent and advocate for the people of Utah,” she said. “He is not reaching out to everyday Utahns, not listening and he’s contributing to gridlock. Utah residents are really left out because of that.”
Edwards campaign slogan, “better leadership, better solutions,” makes a point towards this and she said through her experience, dedication and passion to unite rather than divide, she will accomplish this goal.
Another important thing to note is if Edwards is elected, she will be the first woman ever from Utah to serve in the U.S. Senate. And with only 58 women senators to have ever served, 24 of which are currently serving, Edwards hopes to set an example for future generations.
“I had a nine-year-old girl ask me if I would be the first woman senator from Utah and I told her, ‘Yes, and I hope you’re the second.’ She just beamed, her eyes brightened,” Edwards said. “I love that first means something; it means there can always be a second.”
The Davis County native and lifelong Utahn said being an inspiration to young girls is just one of the many ways that she hopes to bring every individual’s voice to the table and allow everyone a chance to be heard.
“You cannot know what you haven’t been intentionally seeking out. Those voices do matter in real world conversations,” Edwards said.
According to Edwards, whoever wins the Republican primary will win the race overall, however, voters must be a registered Republican in order to participate in that election. She emphasized the first step to getting voices out there is by going out, voting and registering to vote as a Republican.
However, voting is only the beginning. Edwards said individuals hoping to not allow their political views to divide them, must engage in conversation and spread the word about politics. She continued to explain if people strive to insert themselves into issues in their community and to become politically engaged, they can also find their voices within each other.
“Find a group of people who align with you on a particular issue — whether it’s climate, diversity, taxes or whatever,” Edwards said. “Find a place for your voice to be heard and make yourself present in the places where decisions are being made.”
Growing up, Edwards wasn’t necessarily raised around politics and doesn’t consider herself as having a childhood within a political family. However, she was taught by her parents to be willing to say what she believes in and to do something about it. This is one reason why Edwards decided to run for the U.S. Senate, so she could have that chance to make a difference.
And with the growing support from her fellow Utahns, she claims to have 89% of her donations come from people within the state, compared to Lee’s 12%.
However, Edwards’ support extends beyond donations. During the USU political panel, fellow panel member Darren Parry, a Shoshone Tribal Leader and former Democratic candidate running for Utah’s 1st Congressional District, also had good things to say.
“If you look at the national level today, I am almost to the point that I’m not sure what we can do to change,” Parry said. “But when I see people like Becky running and other good people with good hearts and values, it just centers me back to having hope again.”
Another big part of support is being known and loved. Edwards said one of the hardest parts about running against an incumbent is having people recognize Lee’s name rather than hers.
“A lot of people are actually in the ‘anybody but Mike Lee’ camp, and I take that and say, ‘Let me talk to you about what it means to bring better politics to the U.S. Senate,’” Edwards said. “Over and over again I’m seeing people move from ‘anybody but Mike Lee’ to team Becky.”
Edwards’ campaign is about helping make a shift to more effective leadership that she believes our state needs and ensuring representation for everyone despite age, gender, political party, religion and race.
Ethan Conlee, the USUSA Student Advocate Vice President and chairman of the Government Relations Council, said he loves the idea of Edwards including college students in political engagement and believes it opens a conversation so students can do their part too in improving our community and state.
“I think it is important to engage with people that are involved in the community, whether that’s a politician like Becky or a tribal leader like Darren,” Conlee said. “These people have important insights on how we can make differences in the areas that are important to us.”
Conlee said Edwards has a refreshing perspective differing from other politicians.
“I think Becky is the right kind of leader for the political climate we are in right now,” Conlee said. “She seems to care about representing all perspectives and doesn’t spew the angry rhetoric we are used to.”
In her closing words, Edwards said she hopes students — and people in general — will take opportunities to get involved, vote and engage in politics and government.
Primary elections are scheduled for June 28, 2022. To participate, individuals must be registered to vote by March 17, 2022. The U.S. Senate general election in Utah is planned for Nov. 8, 2022.
-Jacee.Caldwell@usu.edu