House Speaker Mike Schultz of Utah has been revealed as a major funder of a shadowy anti-transgender political action committee that attacked Democratic state lawmakers and candidates leading up to the recent election. The PAC, known as Preserving Utah Values PAC, received a $120,000 contribution from Schultz, who is one of the most powerful Republicans in the state.
The ads attributed to the PAC targeted Democratic lawmakers for their stance on legislation that curtails transgender rights, claiming they “voted against Utah’s girls.” Despite extensive advertising against these lawmakers, the PAC had previously reported raising $0 and spending $0.
The PAC’s officers, Thomas Datwyler and Timothy Datwyler, have worked with Republican candidates and campaign committees. The PAC has faced a complaint for potential violations of campaign finance laws, and the Lt. Gov.’s office in Utah is investigating.
House Minority Leader Angela Romero stated that she received threatening messages as a result of the ads, highlighting concerns about their impact on transgender individuals and their allies. Schultz did not respond to questions about his involvement with the PAC, but provided a statement emphasizing the importance of defending Utah’s values.
Despite the efforts of the PAC, House Democrats maintained their caucus size in the election. Schultz and other Republican lawmakers also invested over $117,000 to support a Republican candidate running against Democratic Rep. Rosemary Lesser.
Schultz has been vocal about his stance on transgender rights, and previously supported legislation barring transgender individuals from using bathrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity in government-owned buildings. An investigation by The Salt Lake Tribune found that GOP lawmakers used misinformation about transgender people during debates on the bill.
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