FILE: Rep. Joel Ferry, R-Brigham City, presents SB31, Water Rights Proofs on Small Amounts of Water, in the House chamber during the 2022 session of the Utah Legislature at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022. (Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY – Despite Utah Democrats threatening legal action, Box Elder Republican lawmaker Joel Ferry said he won’t take his name off November’s ballot until he’s confirmed as director of the Department of Natural Resources.
Ferry said his confirmation delay was due to bad timing because lawmakers didn’t meet in July.
“It’s kinda like this perfect storm of bad timing to delay it the way it has,” said Ferry. “But I look forward to senate confirmation in [the] September meeting and I’ll resign at that point.”
Democrats are arguing Ferry is currently serving in two branches of government and claim he’s holding on to his seat in violation of Utah’s constitution.
As argued by the Democrats, Ferry is violating the separation of power as he acts as Utah Department of Natural Resources. Ferry validates his two positions and said he is not taking legislative pay.
“I feel like I’ve been doing a really good job representing the people of Box Elder County,” he said. “I just wanted to make sure my confirmation was going to happen before I step down so I don’t just end up in limbo.”
Another Republican candidate has since filed as a write-in and if Ferry would have already stepped down, Democrat Josh Hardy would have been the only one on the ballot.
Democrats claim he’s holding on to his seat in violation of Utah’s constitution and that Ferry’s slow confirmation is playing politics with the seat.