Now that Mia Love has been elected to represent Utah’s Fourth Congressional District, Utah State University Political Science Professor Damon Cann said Republicans will be pushing hard to have her serve on high profile committees. But Utah’s delegation will be at a disadvantage when it comes to convincing those on the other side of the aisle to consider their constituency in policy making decisions.
“California will have people in the Democratic caucus and with the Republican Conference," Cann said. "Colorado will have people in the Democratic caucus and House Republican Conference arguing for Colorado issues within both parties. With an all Republican Delegation, Utah will have members of the Utah Congressional Delegation representing Utah views in the Republican Conference, but when the Democrats get together, there will be no one from Utah there to voice Utah views in the Democratic caucus.”
Leading into the election, Mia Love’s Democratic opponent Doug Owens was reported to be making headway in what became the most compelling race in Utah.
Speaking Tuesday night to UPR, Deseret News Political Columnist Frank Pignanelli said Love ran a very different race this time around compared to her race against incumbent Democratic candidate Matheson two years ago.
“Part of it is the dynamics of the race and you have to look at this," Pignanelli said. "I think they worried that if she came back too hard she would like she did two years ago, harsh and bitter. Oftentimes, when female candidates look like they’re too harsh and bitter, they’re held to a different standard than male candidates. I think her campaign was trying to balance all of that and in many ways they did a good job with that.”
Because Love is the first black Republican to serve in Congress, Cann said she is likely to represent more than Utah, but Republicans nationwide. Love previously served as mayor of Saratoga Springs, Utah.
