SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah Democrats are demanding that Gov. Spencer Cox’s pick to move the Department of Natural Resources resign his legislative seat and withdraw from the November poll, saying it violates the state structure for him to serve in each roles.
Cox chosen Republican state Rep. Joel Ferry because the company’s government director, a cabinet place. Ferry has been serving in an performing position pending his affirmation by the Utah Senate, however he is hanging onto his legislative seat and he stays on the poll in House District 1.
The Utah Democratic Party says that violates the separation of powers between the manager and legislative branches set out within the Utah Constitution, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.
The governor’s workplace has beforehand argued that it would not, as a result of Ferry resigned from legislative committees and assignments that might govern pure resources-related points and he’s not taking any compensation for his legislative position.
On Thursday, authorized counsel for the Utah Democratic Party and Joshua Hardy, Ferry’s opponent in November, wrote to Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson’s workplace asking for Ferry to be disqualified from the poll since he’s ineligible to carry workplace if he’s reelected.
“The separation of powers provisions of our state constitution requires that legislators only perform legislative duties. Mr. Ferry cannot perform executive duties while holding legislative office, even if he is working for both offices for free,” the letter mentioned.