SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) – This week on Inside Utah Politics, we continue our series on Utah’s Senate candidates.
We talk with Riverton mayor Trent Staggs (Meet Trent – Mayor Trent Staggs for U.S. Senate | Trent Staggs), who has picked up endorsements from anti-establishment conservatives like Kari Lake, Sen. Tommy Tuberville and Charlie Kirk. Staggs offers a proposal on improving Utah’s housing crisis while also addressing border security and immigration reform. Staggs, who previously served as a city council member, suggests his experience at the municipal level can translate well to higher office.
Another Republican hoping to garner support is Carolyn Phippen (Carolyn Phippen – For US Senate (carolyn4senate.com)). Quitting her job to campaign full time, Phippen explained why she entered the crowded field of candidates. She offered an impassioned assessment of the border crisis when she spoke to ABC4, describing her conversations with local law enforcement and federal officials during a previous trip to the border.
This week also brought major news in Washington. Members of Congress lobbed pointed questions at top military leaders who oversaw America’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. While then-president Donald Trump negotiated the withdrawal with the Taliban, President Joe Biden’s administration oversaw the execution of it. The testimony was compelling and offered a sort of after-action report Americans haven’t heard before. Our team in Washington offers a report from the halls of Congress.
Lawmakers in Washington are also addressing the epidemic of drug overdoses. A drug called Xylazine, used in large animal veterinary medicine, is being mixed with the powerful painkiller fentanyl as addicted users suffer overdoses and deaths. Our reporters cover the hearing.
Inside Utah Politics airs Sunday mornings at 8 a.m. on ABC4.
