Former Lt. Gov. Greg Bell named independent advisor for governor race

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Former Utah Lt. Gov. Greg Bell has been named to serve as an independent advisor should any complaints arise during the 2024 gubernatorial election this year.

Bell was appointed to serve an an advisor as current Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson seeks re-election as Gov. Spencer Cox’s running mate. Henderson took a step back from her duties over the gubernatorial election in order to avoid any potential conflict of interest

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Under former Gov. Gary Herbert, Greg Bell served as Utah’s lieutenant governor between 2009 and 2013. Bell resigned from his position citing his family’s long-term financial needs. Cox was then appointed by Herbert to fill the role.

“As a former lieutenant governor, Greg Bell has both the expertise and experience to provide sound, independent recommendations,” Henderson said. “This precautionary measure is an extra effort to prevent any perceived or actual bias in the gubernatorial election. I appreciate former Lt. Gov. Bell’s willingness to serve in this advisory capacity.”

Henderson’s office said Utah Director of Elections Ryan Cowley will make all decisions that have a clear answer under state law, should any issues arise. For the more difficult or controversial questions related to the upcoming elections, Cowley and Henderson’s assistant attorney general will ask Bell to study the matter and make a recommendation to Henderson.

Any and all recommendations made by Bell will be made public.

Henderson’s office said county clerks run elections and perform all the related operations, including handling and counting ballots. Aside from sequestering herself from questions in the gubernatorial race, Henderson will continue working in her capacity as a supervisory authority over elections in Utah.

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