As Chair of the Iron County GOP, I want to address a newspaper ad that will be published today. My fellow executive committee members decided to move forward with this ad despite my objections. I believe such statements should be made by individuals, not by the party as a whole—especially when there isn’t consensus among us. Contrary to what the article suggests, this decision was not the result of thorough discussion and deliberation within the GOP executive committee, and to claim otherwise is misleading.
The Republican Party platform emphasizes a limited role for government, fiscal responsibility, and accountability to taxpayers. In my view, the current school bond aligns with these principles and does not conflict with them. The decision to support or oppose the bond should be left to the voters at the ballot box, without the Iron County GOP attempting to influence the outcome. I believe the GOP should remain neutral on this issue, as it does not directly challenge our platform.
Last year, I opposed the School District bond because it included elements—specifically the turf—that I believed were outside the principles of fiscal conservatism and imposed an unnecessary burden on taxpayers. Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to discuss my concerns with board members and district staff, and I appreciate their willingness to engage in dialogue after the bond’s failure.
Using party funds to take a stance on this issue is inappropriate, especially with the 2024 election approaching. Our resources would be better spent on voter turnout efforts rather than on newspaper ads opposing a bond that will likely pass. If my fellow executive members are truly passionate about opposing the bond, they should have taken more proactive steps—such as sitting down with the school board to address their concerns, speaking at public school board meetings, holding town halls, door knocking, and informing voters months ago when their efforts could have made a real difference.
I believe it’s only fair that I, too, have a voice in this matter. As Chair, my name should not be associated with a statement I disagree with, and I don’t feel this decision is in the best interest of the Iron County GOP. While I personally support the school bond, it’s not my role in this position to advance my personal agenda.
As Chair, I am committed to ensuring that the Iron County GOP operates in accordance with the principles of our platform. I regret the decision made by my fellow executive committee members. I recognize that it is critical for party leadership to avoid inserting personal opinions into official communications unless those issues clearly conflict with our core values. My focus will remain on ensuring that our local party functions as effectively as possible and that I direct my efforts toward the issues important to Republicans in Iron County.
Mari Eddy
Iron County GOP, Chair
