Salt Lake County GOP Ousts Seven Leaders Over Alleged False Accusations

Salt Lake County Republican Party leadership saw a major shake-up Thursday as seven top executives were removed from the party’s committee for what the chairman described as making “false allegations of criminal election interference” against the organization.

The disciplinary action bars all seven members from holding party offices for at least two years. Five of the seven face additional restrictions, prohibiting them from attending any party events except caucus night for four years.

County Chairman Mike Carey announced the decision in a detailed social media statement, emphasizing the party’s commitment to constructive debate while drawing a firm line against what he characterized as unfounded accusations.

“The Salt Lake County Republican Party thrives on healthy, spirited debate that advances our conservative values and unites us in purpose,” Carey wrote. “However, fabricating baseless accusations of criminal activity by party leadership, only to then be weaponized as lawfare, crosses an unacceptable line.”

According to Carey, the controversy began last year when the county party endorsed Cyndi Sharkey in a nonpartisan mayoral race in Sandy. A group led by Tracie Halvorsen objected, claiming such endorsements violated state law – an interpretation Carey dismissed as “misguided.”

The situation escalated when Halvorsen and seven others – Cathy Duke, Monica Wilbur, Debbie Gerrity, Kaye Sanderson, Natalie Cline, Laurel Fetzer, and Casey Gale – filed a criminal complaint with local attorneys on September 5, 2025. The group allegedly sent copies to federal officials, including U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI leadership.

Carey stated that Halvorsen then amplified these claims across social media platforms, asserting the party had committed criminal election interference and sharing documentation she had submitted to authorities. These actions, Carey claimed, damaged the party’s operations and public standing.

The executive committee held a contentious hearing last Monday to address the allegations against the eight individuals. The meeting reportedly stretched until nearly 3 a.m. and was disrupted by supporters of the accused members.

All eight were found to have engaged in conduct harmful to the party’s reputation. Halvorsen received the most severe penalties, including censure, removal from office, and bans from holding positions or attending events until May 2030. She will, however, retain access to party resources for her current campaign to unseat state Sen. Dan McCay.

Among those disciplined is Natalie Cline, who has faced previous public scrutiny. While serving on the State School Board, Cline was censured by the Utah Legislature after publicly questioning a high school student’s gender, an action characterized as “bullying.”

The disciplined members and their supporters have pushed back against the committee’s decision. Wilbur claimed on social media that the removals were retaliatory, writing: “This effort by SLCo GOP Chair Mike Carey to purge myself and others from the Republican party for doing literally WHAT HE TOLD US TO DO & what the SLCo GOP bylaws encourage us to do is the most mental thing on the planet.”

Halvorsen similarly defended her group’s actions, stating: “People want the law followed! They want accountability! When 8 members held to that standard, we were retaliated against and unlawfully removed from our positions.”

The internal party conflict highlights growing tensions within Republican organizations nationwide, where factional disputes over party direction, candidate endorsements, and interpretations of rules have become increasingly common. Political analysts note that such internal conflicts often intensify during election years, particularly in states where partisan divisions are evolving.

The Salt Lake County situation also reflects broader challenges political parties face in maintaining unity while accommodating diverse viewpoints among their membership, especially when contentious issues arise regarding endorsements and the interpretation of election laws.