Salt Lake County GOP Chairman resigns amid criticism

Salt Lake County GOP Chairman Scott Miller has resigned after being criticized for dismissing complaints from women in the party about an environment they describe as toxic.

In an email sent to members of his executive committee early Sunday, he apologized for “the way I have handled complaints from Republican women and my recent communications.” I’m sorry. ”Read the full email below.

More than half a dozen Republican women have come forward to accuse Salt Lake County Republican Party communications director Dave Robinson of harassment, bodily humiliation and other inappropriate behavior. Miller has been steadfast in his support for Robinson and questioned the accusers’ motives as recently as Friday.

“I’m relieved and ready to move on,” said Aimee Winder Newton, a Republican member of Salt Lake County Council and subject to derogatory nicknames and accusations from Robinson and Miller.

“I expect the SLCo GOP will put in place new regulations and policies to ensure that something like this never happens again,” Newton said. “One way to make sure the bad actors are never there to start is to get more people involved. We need people to show up to their party caucuses, come forward as delegates and help get good people elected.

Erin Preston, a former candidate for the county registration office, said Robinson tried to use his campaign as a vehicle for his own issues with his pets and said inappropriate things about his body. In a statement to the Salt Lake Tribune, she said she believed Miller had resigned solely because of pressure from party officials, who “now realize the extent of Dave Robinson’s behavior and Scott’s role in allowing repeatedly this behavior with or without their knowledge ”.

“I hope this comes as a wake-up call for the party to be wary of such behavior in the future from any public servant,” Preston said. “I also hope this leads to a greater emphasis on the need to support women – as future candidates, elected officials and leaders whose voices are valuable and must be heard.”

Miller, who is running for the Republican state presidency following recent announcement by current President Derek Brown that he will not be running for a second term, dismissed the allegations in an interview with The Tribune on Thursday. “So apparently you’re interested in our party’s internal bickering,” Miller said. “It’s quarrels – that’s what it is.”

In response to the complaints, Miller sent a scathing reprimand on the official county party email Friday night naming all the women who showed up and questioning the real motivation behind what he described as “these accusations.” salacious ”.

“Are these people and maybe their supporters of special interest trying to embarrass me and cancel me and our volunteers?” Miller asked in part. “I will not be CANCELED.”

However, the email sparked a backlash and prompted Republican officials across the state, including Governor Spencer Cox, to issue a statement berating Miller and calling for his resignation.

“Scott Miller has not been canceled,” Newton said. “He was held responsible.”

Abby Evans, a political consultant who previously worked for the county party under Miller, said she hopes the party learns of the “damage” caused by Robinson.

“After watching Scott Miller defend, activate and resource the Party against harassment, dishonesty and abuse throughout his tenure, it is a relief to see him step down,” Evans said.

Miller told The Tribune that Evans’ allegations came from a “despised woman” because the party decided to end her post to cut costs. She is currently working as a political advisor for County Council member Laurie Stringham, who also brought up allegations of foul language and harassment by Robinson during her election campaign.

“Scott’s resignation does not solve the problem. It just takes a tool away from Dave Robinson, ”Stringham said in a statement. “There are many who are accomplices and many more who have been and will be injured if this type of behavior is not stopped.”

Shortly after The Tribune’s story of multiple experiences of women was released on Saturday afternoon, Miller released another statement with a drastically different tone.

“I applaud these women for coming forward and I encouraged all accusers to come forward,” he said. “I take these allegations seriously.”

But members of the party’s executive committee said management had known about Robinson’s behavior for years and had taken no action.

“In 2018, I was a member of the Salt Lake County Republican Party executive committee and was there when concerns about Mr. Robinson were raised,” Herriman Mayor David Watts said. “At the time, Mr. Miller dismissed the concerns with very little discussion. Although some members of the committee at the time attempted to press the issue, the entire committee did not receive sufficient support to override the chair.

Stringham called on the party to “stop associating with people who abuse”.

“This is the only way to stop other women and men from facing the hell I have been through,” she said.

Vice President Scott Rosenbush will serve as interim president until the county party elects a new leadership at its convention on April 10. Text messages and emails previously shared with The Tribune show Rosenbush has also been made aware of the multiple concerns women have about Robinson.