Utah Senate District 18 Republican Primary: Doug Fiefia vs. Dan McCay

The Republican Primary for Senate District 18 in southwestern Salt Lake County.

About this position

Utah has 29 state senators who form one of the two chambers. Each senator represents around (or just over) 100,000 Utah residents.

Senators are part-time legislators who serve during Utah’s yearly legislative session, which runs for 45 days from January to March, as well as during each interim session and on various committees and commissions. State senators also confirm judicial appointments, department heads, and other appointed positions.

Utah Senate District 18 includes parts of Herriman, Riverton, Bluffdale, Draper, and a tiny bit of northern Saratoga Springs.

Utah Senate District 18 from https://le.utah.gov/GIS/findDistrict.jsp

Candidates

Top priorities come from candidates’ official websites. We view this guide as merely a starting point. Please research more and reach out to the candidates directly to learn more about their issues and experience.

Find the values and attributes we’re looking for in candidates.

Doug Fiefia

About: Works in sales and operations for tech companies, developer, nonprofit founder. Current Utah House representative since 2025 (one term).

Top priorities: Protect families. Responsible technology. Smart growth.

Insights: During two years in the Utah House, Mr. Fiefia has often been responsive to folks within his constituency, as well as being proactive in reaching out and listening to local leaders. Mr. Fiefia seems to understand the needs of high-growth areas and is technologically savvy, which means he’s primarily focused on AI policies that protect children—which we appreciate.

As political moderates, we remain wary of some of his very conservative social policies, his support for the Utah Fits All scholarship, as well as his sponsorship of an election reform bill that would have cut off voter access for thousands of legitimate Utah voters.

See Mr. Fiefia’s Twitter feed.

Dan McCay

About: Lawyer and real-estate developer, Utah Congressman since 2012 and state senator since 2019 (two terms).

Top priorities: Lowering taxes and fees. Property tax relief. Making Utah more affordable.

Insights: In all honesty, we haven’t had positive interactions with Mr. McCay, although we do like the new Utah state flag, which he sponsored.

In our experience he seldom responds to constituents; when pressed, he tends to answer them with disdain. We’re watched Mr. McCay display unwillingness to work with counties, school boards, and municipalities on important tax issues; earlier this year he introduced legislation that would put Utah’s cities and towns in financial straits.

We worry about his antagonistic attitude towards both educators and his political opponents. Despite his long service in the statehouse, we find Mr. McCay’s temperament (and online trolling) unsuitable for public office. See what you think at his Twitter/X feed.

Our Recommendation

While we are reluctant to make a full recommendation in this race, we overall feel that Mr. Fiefia comes closer to the values we’re hoping to see in our leadership.

Find more information on the candidates from interviews by a local journalist and on Ballotpedia.

The winner of the Republican Party primary for Senate District 18 will face Democratic candidate Dane Anderson this November.