Fiercely loyal Bernie Sanders supporters argued Tuesday that superdelegates who vote for Hillary Clinton, despite Sanders’ overwhelming victory in Utah’s caucus, should lose their positions in the state Democratic Party and be shunned for life.
The Utah Democratic Central Committee wasn’t willing to go that far in a raucous back and forth that ended with its members backing a resolution urging the national party to eliminate superdelegates in future presidential contests, but saying nothing about the current race.
“The issue is not about any one candidate; rather, it is about a process that minimizes the will of our citizens,” said Sim Gill, a committee member and the Salt Lake County district attorney. “We are either for the people or we are not.”
The Democratic National Committee recognizes 712 superdelegates, largely state party leaders or elected officials. They have the privilege to support any presidential candidate they want at the national convention, regardless of how their state voted.
And the Democratic elite have backed Clinton by a wide margin. The Associated Press reports that 543 superdelegates are supporting the former secretary of state, while 44 are siding with Sanders, a senator from Vermont. That advantage is a big reason why Clinton is less than 100 delegates away from claiming the Democratic nomination, though she also holds a sizable lead among pledged delegates won during primaries and caucuses. The Republican Party has far fewer unpledged delegates, giving them little sway in that party’s nominating contests.
Utah has four Democratic superdelegates. Party Chairman Peter Corroon and Utah national committeeman Wayne Holland are supporting Sanders. Party Vice Chairwoman Breanne Miller and national committeewoman Patrice Arent are supporting Clinton, and they announced that position before the caucus. For the full article click here
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