New elections official said women in office 'do not have what it takes.' They returned the criticism
A longtime fixture in local government, Lorene Kamalu’s seen controversy come and go. But she was shocked last week to learn that the newest elections officer in the state was a young conservative influencer who’s described himself as “anti-universal suffrage” and declared “women generally do not have what it takes to endure the pressures of a public office.”
Kamalu, a Republican running for a third term as Davis County commissioner, recalled thinking, “How could this be happening in this day and age? How could this be happening, you know, in the U.S., in very important elected offices? And then, how in the world is this happening in Utah?”
Kamalu is among dozens of women in elected office who signed an open letter calling for “trust, professionalism and equal respect in Utah County elections” after 23-year-old Kai Schwemmer was named deputy county clerk, despite his remarks about women and lack of experience running elections. Other critics vented their frustration at a public meeting last week.
In response to the outcry, Utah County Clerk Aaron Davidson gave Schwemmer a new title this week of confidential administrative associate. In a job description posted Tuesday on the county’s website, Davidson listed the role’s functions as those of “a project manager, external liaison, and key representative,” as well as a personal assistant to the clerk. He has said the position would be temporary but did not give a timeline in the document.
https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/06/18/new-elections-official-said-women-in-office-do-not-have-what-it-takes-they-returned-the-criticism/
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