PoliticIt Podcast

Steve Waldrip earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Brigham Young University, a law degree from the University of Utah, and a Master’s in Taxation from the University of Washington. After a brief period practicing law, he joined the Boyer Company in Utah at the outset of the Business Depot Ogden (BDO) project. As project manager, he played a key role in securing $500 million in private investment for BDO and the Ogden area, negotiated $250 million in lease agreements, and contributed to creating over 4,000 jobs. He later served two terms in the Utah House of Representatives and co-founded the Rocky Mountain Homes Fund, a social impact real estate fund, where he worked for several years. In December 2023, he was appointed as the Governor’s Senior Advisor for Housing Strategy and Innovation. He also serves on the Board of United Way of Northern Utah, the Utah Commission on Housing Affordability, and the Board of the Utah Housing Corporation. #politicit #utahelections #utpol

Senator Kirk A. Cullimore Jr. has represented Utah’s 9th Senate District since his election in 2018. He began his education at Utah Valley University, earning an Associate’s Degree in music. He then spent two years in the Philippines as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Upon returning, he continued his studies at Brigham Young University, where he completed a Bachelor’s Degree in music. Afterward, he spent six years teaching music and managing a music instruction studio. Seeking a new direction, he pursued a Juris Doctor at the University of Oklahoma. Senator Cullimore began his legal career in Oklahoma, focusing primarily on Federal Indian Law. His work included tribal business transactions, gaming law, development of tribal policies and procedures, and administrative law. He also practiced in areas such as general business and contract law, property management, fair housing, homeowners' associations, and collections. #politicit #utahelections #utpol

Join our host Senator John Johnson as he welcomes Kera Birkeland and Doug Durbano. Doug was born and raised in Northern Utah. He holds a degree in Business from Weber State University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Utah. Doug is a businessman and an expert in constitutional law, with a 40-year history of winning cases, many against big government. He is a skilled problem solver and a tough but fair negotiator. Doug also fiercely advocates for states', counties', and cities' rights. Born at Hill Air Force Base, Doug was raised by his father, Ernie, a Korean War veteran who instilled a deep love of God and country. As a self-made businessman and entrepreneur, Ernie also taught Doug the values of hard work, sacrifice, perseverance, and generosity. From his mother, Bonnie, Doug learned compassion, kindness, and dependability. These traits became the foundation of Doug’s character and have served him well throughout his life and career. Over fifty years ago, Doug married his high school sweetheart. Together, they have raised five wonderful children and are now proud grandparents to eleven grandchildren. Doug is an avid pilot, boater, and rancher. A man of deep faith, he has served as a missionary in North Carolina and as a bishop. Doug and his wife have also devoted time to serving individuals with special needs in Morgan County. Kera Birkeland is an American politician, educator, and coach from Utah. She served as the representative for Utah House District 4. In the chamber, she was on the Executive Offices and Criminal Justice Appropriations Subcommittee, the House Education Committee, and the House Judiciary Committee. #politicit #utahelections #utpol

Join our host Senator John Johnson as he welcomes Tiara Auxier, Utah House of Representatives District 4 Tiara Auxier, First and Foremost, Mother. Tax Accountant, School and District Community Councils, Boy Scouts of America Volunteer, Weber County Republican Women, and Church Service. #politicit #utahelections #utpol

Join our host Senator John Johnson as he welcomes Kelvyn Cullimore, President and CEO of BioUtah Kelvyn has three decades of experience as a MedTech CEO, over a decade on the board of the Medical Device Manufacturers Association, and over a decade as mayor of a suburb of Salt Lake City. He uniquely understands industry and policy issues to advance association objectives and help member companies. He has been CEO of BioUtah since October 2018. #politicit #utahelections #utpol

Join our host, Senator John Johnson, as he welcomes special guest Jill Koford. A native of Ogden, Utah, Jill Koford is a proud graduate of Weber High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Weber State University in 1992 and later received a graduate degree from the University of Southern California in 2011. Jill brings valuable insight from her career experience as a small business owner. #politicit #utahelections #utpol

Sabin Howard is the foremost practitioner of, and authority on, Modern Classicism. Sabin Howard is the sculptor of A Soldier’s Journey, the sculptural heart of the National WWI Memorial to be installed in Washington DC in September, 2024. Sabin grew up in New York City and in Torino, Italy. He studied art at the Philadelphia College of Art and then earned his MFA from the New York Academy of Art. For twenty years, he taught at the graduate and undergraduate levels. He has been elected to the board of the National Sculpture Society. He has received numerous commissions and has showed his work at more than fifty solo and group shows. After 72,000 hours of working from life models in the studio, Sabin designed and created the hero’s journey that memorializes the courage and sacrifice of our veterans in WWI, and in all wars, in A Soldier’s Journey. He has created an illustrious body of work, including three heroic scale pieces, HERMES, APHRODITE, and APOLLO, as well as many smaller pieces. His works are owned by museums and private collectors all over the world, and they have been favorably reviewed by USA Today, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Epoch Times, American Artist, Fine Arts Connoisseur, American Arts Collector, and The New Criterion, as well as many other journals internationally. He is an accomplished public speaker and is the subject of several television profiles. Sabin Howard is the author of the book THE ART OF LIFE with his wife author Traci L. Slatton. #politicit #utahelections #utpol

Join our host Senator John Johnson, who welcomes Weber County Sheriff Ryan Arbon. From Sheriff Arbon; I was born and raised in Pleasant View, Utah. I graduated from Weber High School in Pleasant View, Utah. I served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in San Diego, California, for two years. In 1997, I entered the Utah Police Academy and graduated. I started my law enforcement career with the Weber County Sheriff’s Office working as a Bailiff. After a few months with the Sheriff’s Office, I married my wife and moved to Missouri. I lived near Jefferson City, the Capital, for four years. While I was there, I was a Marshall for the State of Missouri and I earned my Bachelors of Science in Criminal Justice. After I graduated, we moved back to Utah. I worked for Clearfield City for about 14 years serving in multiple leadership and supervisor positions. During the same time, I was an owner/manager of multiple successful small businesses which included property development, property management, and construction. In 2016, I was hired as Chief of Perry City Police Department. In November of 2018, I was elected as Sheriff to serve this great County, Weber County. I am Married to an awesome wife and I have four wonderful children. All of which support me 100% as Sheriff. I coach youth sports, volunteer in my community, and enjoying serving others. #politicit #utahelections #utpol

Join our host, Senator John Johnson, welcoming James Humphreys in studio. James has been a citizen lobbyist and Campaign Consultant for 30+ years. He has been fortunate enough to work with many local, state, and federal officials from Utah and nationwide. He is a Limited Government Cohabitational Conservative and has been his entire adult life. He's been married to his husband since 2008 and lives in Ogden, UT #politicit #utahelections #utpol

Leslie grew up on a ranch in Idaho, where hard work, family, and community were at the heart of everything she did. One of her favorite memories is her family’s “magic table” —where there was always room for more, no matter who stopped by for dinner. That same principle guides her approach to leadership: everyone has a seat at the table, and our Republican Party is strongest when we come together. For the past 25 years, Leslie has called Weber County home. She raised her family here, built her business here, and worked to keep our county conservative, helping to flip two of our legislative seats. As County GOP Chair, Leslie will focus on: ⁃ Strong leadership that unites the county party and stands strong with our elected officials, builds trust, and works together to defend our values. - Protecting the Caucus/Convention System– Ensuring grassroots Republicans, not big money, choose our candidates. ⁃ Electing conservatives who take action, not just talk. ⁃ Fundraising and outreach to support our candidates and expand our influence. ⁃ Strategic marketing and communication to engage voters. Building a stronger, more united party. Leslie is committed to leading with integrity, unity, and a vision for the future. She would be honored to have the support of the county delegates to help make this vision a reality to ensure a strong, conservative future in Weber County. #politicit #utahelections #utpol