Salt Lake County Republicans overwhelmingly nominate Amanda Bollinger. Natalie Cline didn’t gather signatures, marking a decisive end to her controversial tenure.
The Convention Results
In a defining moment for Utah education politics, the Salt Lake County Republican Party delivered a clear verdict on Saturday, decisively rejecting incumbent Utah Board of Education member Natalie Cline in favor of challenger Amanda Bollinger.
The convention at Cottonwood High School saw Bollinger secure an impressive 211 delegates, representing 63.17% of the vote, while Cline managed only 123 delegates, or 36.83% – falling short of the crucial 40% threshold needed to advance to the June primary.
Bollinger’s path to the November general election was already secure through her proactive signature-gathering campaign, having collected 1,924 signatures, well above the required 1,715. Cline, who had opted not to pursue the signature route, saw her reelection hopes effectively end with the convention’s outcome.
The State School Board District 9 seat, representing southern Salt Lake County communities including Bluffdale, Herriman, Riverton, and South Jordan, will now see Bollinger face Democratic candidate Will Shiflett in November.
Cline controversy
The convention results came in the wake of months of intensifying controversy surrounding Cline, culminating in a February incident that drew widespread condemnation. Cline had posted a Facebook photo of a female high school basketball player, incorrectly implying the student might be transgender.
The post triggered an avalanche of hostile comments from Cline’s followers, who targeted the student with vulgar language and threats, leading to serious safety concerns for both the student and her school.
While Cline eventually removed the post and issued what she termed her “deepest apologies” to the student and family, her subsequent commentary about the student’s physical appearance only intensified the backlash.
The incident prompted immediate calls for resignation from Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, the Granite School District Board of Education, various city councils, and the student’s parents.
The controversy reached Utah Capitol Hill, where discussions of impeachment gained traction, particularly among Democrats.
The Utah Legislature ultimately opted for censure rather than impeachment, with Republican leadership expressing their preference to let voters determine Cline’s political future. Saturday’s convention provided that opportunity, and the delegates spoke decisively.
Reaction to Cline’s loss
The atmosphere at Cottonwood High School was charged with tension as both candidates and their supporters awaited the results. When early indicators of Bollinger’s substantial lead emerged, the reactions of both camps proved telling.
While Bollinger’s team maintained composed celebration, Cline and her closest supporters made a swift exit from the auditorium.
Speaking to reporters afterward, Bollinger expressed gratitude for the delegates’ trust and emphasized her commitment to rebuilding confidence in public education.
She pointedly addressed the issue of student safety, stating that the decisive victory demonstrated Salt Lake County GOP delegates’ firm stance against bullying children.
2024 Salt Lake County GOP nominating convention results
The convention yielded significant outcomes across multiple races, with 1,365 credentialed delegates participating. Notable results included:
Decisive Moments at the Convention
When addressing delegates during her two-minute speech, Natalie Cline maintained her stance against what she termed “divisive ideologies” in Utah’s education system.
“They attempt to transform students’ attitudes, values, beliefs, behaviors, and dispositions to align with state definitions, turning our children into activists and encouraging them to advocate for social change within and outside schools,” she argued.
“This represents indoctrination, not academic excellence, and it must end.” Notably absent from her remarks was any direct reference to her controversial post, though she made veiled references to “arrows” she had faced.
In contrast, Amanda Bollinger’s speech resonated strongly with delegates, emphasizing practical solutions and a balanced approach to education.
“Our children’s safety is non-negotiable, and protecting one group should never come at the cost of creating unsafe spaces for others,” she declared to enthusiastic applause. Her promise to “prioritize and protect parental involvement” struck a chord with convention attendees.
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The Delegate Perspective
The convention revealed a significant shift in Republican party dynamics, particularly regarding education policy. Trish Bytheway, a delegate from South Jordan who supported Cline, expressed disappointment with the outcome, suggesting Cline faced unfair “bias” over what Bytheway characterized as a mistake.
She criticized the involvement of state leadership, including Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, in condemning Cline and supporting Bollinger.
Tamara Zander, a South Jordan City Council member and delegate, provided insight into the complex decision-making process many delegates faced.
After careful consideration and conversations with both candidates, Zander ultimately supported Bollinger, citing the need for collaborative leadership on the state school board despite potential pushback from her community.
Looking Forward
The race for State School Board District 9 now moves toward the November general election, with Bollinger facing Democratic candidate Will Shiflett. The outcome signals a potential shift in Utah education politics, emphasizing collaboration over confrontation and measured approaches to controversial issues.
Additional Race Outcomes
The convention produced several other significant results across various positions:
For Salt Lake County mayor, Erin Rider secured an overwhelming victory with 77.37% of votes against Yianni Ioannou’s 22.63%, setting up a November contest with incumbent Democratic Mayor Jenny Wilson.
In the Salt Lake County Council at-large seat C race, Rachelle Morris led with nearly 58% against Michael Carey’s 42%, both advancing to the June primary.
County Council District 2 saw current Senator Daniel Thatcher fall to Carlos Moreno, who captured over 70% of delegate support. However, Thatcher’s signature gathering efforts ensure both will compete in the June primary.
Legislative Race Results
House races produced several notable outcomes:
In House District 25, Richard Nowak dominated with 86.67% support over Alama ‘Ulu’ave’s 13.33%, advancing to face House Minority Leader Angela Romero in November.
House District 30 saw former Representative Fred Cox secure the nomination with 66.67% over David Parke’s 33.33%, though both will meet again in the June primary due to Parke’s signature qualification.
House District 46 produced one of the day’s surprises, with incumbent Jeff Stenquist receiving only 12.5% support against Cal Roberts’ 87.5%, though both will compete in June due to Stenquist’s signature gathering.
Senate Contest Outcomes
The Senate races yielded equally compelling results:
In Senate District 15, Scott Cuthbertson led with 59.62% over Steve Aste’s 40.38%, with Amber Shill advancing to the primary through signatures despite convention elimination.
Senate District 16 saw Senator Wayne Harper trail Christina Boggess, who secured 53.85% to Harper’s 46.15%, setting up a June primary showdown.
Senate District 17 resulted in Senator Lincoln Fillmore winning the nomination with 65.17% over Janalee Tobias’ 34.83%, advancing to face unaffiliated candidate Pamela Bloom in November.
Implications for Utah Education
The convention results, particularly in the State School Board District 9 race, reflect evolving perspectives on education governance in Utah. Bollinger’s victory suggests a preference for pragmatic leadership focused on student success over ideological battles.
Her emphasis on collaboration and measured reform resonated with delegates seeking solutions to real educational challenges while maintaining conservative principles.
The outcome also demonstrates the Salt Lake County Republican Party’s commitment to addressing educational issues through constructive dialogue rather than confrontational tactics. This shift could influence future education policy discussions and governance approaches across Utah’s school districts.
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Moving Forward
As the political landscape continues to evolve, the convention’s outcomes signal potential changes in how Utah approaches educational governance and policy.
The decisive rejection of more extreme positions in favor of collaborative leadership suggests a new direction for conservative education policy in the state.
The upcoming November general election will ultimately determine the practical impact of these convention decisions, as voters across State School Board District 9 and other contested areas make their final choices. These results will significantly influence Utah’s educational direction in the years ahead.
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