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Bryan Schott, political correspondent for the Salt Lake Tribune, brings you conversations with Utah newsmakers, national political experts and authors. He also discusses the latest Utah political news with local reporters and other political figures. Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Spencer Stokes joins Bryan Schott on the podcast to wrap up the week in Utah political news. We examine the all virtual Democratic convention. What worked? What didn't? And what will Republicans do in response next week? Burgess Owens is scheduled to speak at the Republican National Convention. Spencer gives him some unsolicited advice on what he should say. Gov. Gary Herbert and the Utah legislature are at an impasse over the length and scope of emergency declarations due to the...

Political strategist Rick Wilson has found a new life as part of a group of "never Trump" former Republicans who are working to deny President Donald Trump another term in office. Wilson is one of the founders of The Lincoln Project, the group behind a series of television and internet ads that are targeting Trump and his Republican allies in the Senate ahead of the November election. Wilson is also the author of the New York Times bestseller "Running Against the Devil. A Plot to Save...

Republican Thomas Wright joins the podcast to discuss his run for governor. Wright says he has "no regrets" about his campaign, even though it didn't finish the way he wanted it to. He also talks about how the coronavirus pandemic completely changed the complexion of the race. Wright correctly predicted that Donald Trump would defeat Hillary Clinton in 2016. He tells Bryan Schott why he thinks it's much more likely that Trump wins in November than Democrat Joe Biden. If you have a...

Bryan Schott and Bob Bernick discuss the latest news from around the Utah political universe. Republicans in the Utah Legislature back away from a plan to give tax credits to parents who homeschool their kids during the pandemic. Critics called it a backdoor attempt to create vouchers. Teachers in the Granite School District are worried about returning to class. Time is running out for Jon Huntsman to decide on a write-in campaign for governor. We break down a right-wing, fake news smear...

America is still trying to come to grips with the story of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Russia's efforts to undermine Democrat Hillary Clinton, and later how they helped Republican Donald Trump win, is something Americans need to understand if only to keep it from happening again. But, to think what happened in 2016 was a one-time situation is not accurate. David Shimer’s new book, Rigged: America, Russia, and One Hundred Years of Covert Electoral Interference, details the...

Managing Editor Bryan Schott and Contributing Editor Bob Bernick run through the news from a busy few days in Utah politics. Another special session is on tap for Utah lawmakers next week. We look at some of the issues they may tackle during the session, including a plan to possibly give tax credits to parents who keep their kids home due to the coronavirus. Lawmakers are looking at issuing bonds to pay for construction projects and maintenance at state parks. Jon Huntsman is facing a...

Managing Editor Bryan Schott and Contributing Editor Bob Bernick wrap up another busy week in Utah politics. Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox hides behind Gov. Gary Herbert when asked if he supports a statewide mask mandate. The state abandons the "modified quarantine" plan for public schools when they re-open. There are still lots of worries about whether teachers and students will be safe when they return to the classroom. A new poll gives President Donald Trump a lead over Joe Biden in Utah, but...

We’re less than three months toward election day, and some of the trends that will shape the November vote are coming into focus. To map out what the next three months could look like, we speak with Nathan Gonzales of InsideElections.com. He speaks with Managing Editor Bryan Schott about Democrat Joe Biden's lead over Republican Donald Trump, and whether that lead will hold until November. Will the distaste for Trump among many Utah voters loosen the GOP’s grip on the state? Can Democrat...

Managing Editor Bryan Schott and Contributing Editor Bob Bernick discuss the latest Utah political news. A new poll shows the race between Ben McAdams and Burgess Owens is a dead heat, but can you trust those numbers? We discuss. Will Utah schools be able to open during this pandemic? We're seeing other areas are having some difficulties. How will Utah lawmakers react if the schools have to close down again? Congress still can't make a deal on a coronavirus relief program. Salt Lake City...

Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall joins the podcast to discuss how the city and state are responding to the coronavirus pandemic, the toll the virus is taking on the city’s west side as well as the overall city budget, and the risks of re-opening public schools. She also talks with Managing Editor Bryan Schott her opposition to the Trump administration sending federal law enforcement officers into some of the nation’s cities. You can subscribe everywhere you get your...

Managing Editor Bryan Schott and Contributing Editor Bob Bernick bring you up to speed on the latest Utah political news. Utah will allow schoolchildren to attend class if they've been exposed to Covid-19. Will teachers feel safe returning to the classroom? The state's largest teachers union demands Gov. Herbert abandon the plan to reopen schools in the fall, and parents in some areas say they don't feel safe sending their kids back to class. Gov. Herbert insists a statewide mask mandate...

Now that the 2020 Utah primary elections are over, we speak with political consultant Danny Laub from Poolhouse to get some insight on the results. Laub speaks with Managing Editor Bryan Schott about how Spencer Cox was able to squeak by Jon Huntsman in the GOP race for governor, why Burgess Owens dominated the GOP contest to face Democrat Ben McAdams in November, and Blake Moore's rise from obscurity. Laub has worked on several Utah campaigns, including Rep. John Curtis' 2017 victory,...

Managing Editor Bryan Schott and Contributing Editor Bob Bernick discuss the latest Utah political news with less than 100 days to the November election. The local media got wound up that Spencer Cox has essentially disappeared after winning the GOP nomination. We explain why all that hand-wringing is a bit overwrought, and why we shouldn't expect to hear from Cox anytime soon. Gov. Gary Herbert hosts a party but doesn't require masks. Donald Trump, Jr. comes to Utah to campaign and...

Charlie Sykes, editor in chief of The Bulwark, joins the podcast to help us make sense of the current political moment in America. He speaks with Managing Editor Bryan Schott about the political landscape ahead of the 2020 election, the unlikely coalition of Democrats and Republicans who are banding together to defeat Donald Trump in November and where Mitt Romney fits in today's Republican Party. Links: @SykesCharlieThe Bulwark websiteThe Bulwark's email newslettersCharlie Sykes' daily...

Managing Editor Bryan Schott and Contributing Editor Bob Bernick discuss the latest Utah political news on a Pioneer Day episode of our podcast. Gov. Gary Herbert is still pleading with Utahns to wear masks to stop the spread of the coronavirus, but he still won't make masks mandatory. Salt Lake County unveils data showing face coverings in public work. Intricate political machinations in the race for the GOP nomination in one Utah County legislative seat. Utah House members are split on...

The far-right QAnon conspiracy theory emerged in the Utah political sphere last week when it was reported that Republican Congressional candidate Burgess Owens appeared as a guest on an obscure YouTube channel dedicated to QAnon. To understand what QAnon is, and why Owens seeming flirtation with the organization is so troubling, Will Sommer of the Daily Beast joins Managing Editor Bryan Schott on the podcast. Sommer reports on fringe and extremist elements in politics. We discuss what...

Managing Editor Bryan Schott and Contributing Editor Bob Bernick dig into the latest Utah political news. A devastating ProPublica article says the state's coronavirus response is being driven by economic rather than public health considerations. Utah is preparing a "major" push to get people to wear masks. Will it work? 4th District Republican candidate Burgess Owens wades into the Washington Redskins nickname controversy. President Trump will still likely carry Utah in November's...

Managing Editor Bryan Schott and Contributing Editor Bob Bernick discuss the latest Utah political news. A White House document says Utah is one of 18 states that should roll back the opening of businesses because of a rising number of coronavirus cases. Gov. Gary Herbert says the state is adjusting their coronavirus restrictions to allow Salt Lake City schools to re-open. A group of maskless protesters disrupts a Utah County meeting about mask requirements. Ben McAdams has a massive...

Mary Frances McGowan reports on governors and state legislatures for National Journal. She joins Managing Editor Bryan Schott to discuss some of the important down ballot races in 2020. McGowan talks about the effect the coronavirus could have on legislative races this year, and whether President Trump's electoral struggles could hurt Republicans looking to ride his coattails to victory in November. She also explains why political junkies should pay attention to races in North Carolina and...