Statement from Steve Merrill, Candidate for House 71

When I decided to run for office at the beginning of the year, my goal wasn’t really to win. Of course that was a desire, that would have been amazing, but we’re in a deep red area and I was running as a democrat, so it certainly wasn’t an expectation. In researching elections going back at least 40 years, the highest a democrat has reached for the house district covering Cedar City was 17.1%. When my wife and my campaign manager and I set goals, our goal was 20% growth from that high point. That meant our target was 20.5%.

We have exceeded that goal. This is a win. In 2 years, we come back and get up to 25% – 20% growth. In 4 years, we break 30% – 20% growth. In 6 years, we push 40%. And in 8 years, we flip the seat. Moving from 17.1% to 50%+ is not a one-cycle move, it is a long-term plan.

Friends, we did not “win” this election. But for one in every 5 people in the county, we have shown them they are not alone. There are others that support them. There is a community. Southern Utah is changing, growing, and becoming more accepting of people who have different experiences, different backgrounds, and different perspectives on important topics that affect us every day. For Iron County to truly become the best we can possibly be, this growth is necessary. We are experiencing growing pains – hate, fear, attacks on our marginalized communities – but these pains aren’t a sign of despair, they are a sign of change which foretell a bright future.

A very clear message has been sent. Democrats are not an infinitesimally small group meeting in the basement of an ant farm. We are growing. We are part of this community. Iron county is changing for the better. And while we may not have won this race, we made significant progress, and we will keep going.

I want to thank Schuyler, Mike, Mindie, Kathy, Nancy, and Kira for all they have done over these last months. To the students at SUU who canvassed for me over the last few weeks – thank you so much. To Susan, my wife, and to my kids – thank you for being part of this and supporting me. To those who voted for me, who believed in our message, thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Hope is contagious. For those of you who are scared, who are grieving, who feel like your community hates you personally – we love you, we accept you, we want you here, and in this community you will find hope. If you need anything, please reach out. Let’s work together to build up our community in strength, love, and encouragement, and let’s move forward together.

Thank you all
Steve Merrill