The Hinckley Report

The Hinckley Report Watch at Fridays at 7:00 p.m., and Sundays 5:30 p.m. on PBS Utah! Watch Fridays at 7:00 p.m.

In partnership with the Hinckley Institute of Politics at the University of Utah, The Hinckley Report provides insight and analysis into Utah politics, covering the most pressing political issues facing our state. Hosted by Jason Perry, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics, each week’s guests feature Utah’s top journalists, lawmakers and policy experts.

05/29/2026

Winning isn’t the only measure of a successful campaign. From conventions to coordinated efforts, well‑run races can elevate issues, engage voters, and strengthen parties for the long term.

On The Hinckley Report, Maura Carabello (Exoro Group), Rob Axson State Party Chair (Utah Republican Party), and Eric Biggart (Utah Democratic Party) reflect on the role of candidates, parties, and grassroots engagement in shaping Utah’s political future—well beyond a single election cycle.

Watch the full discussion at YouTube.com/ [https://youtu.be/L76rD0QTk8k?si=CLLLew_xCN1hMx2z] and join the conversation in the comments.

05/08/2026

What actually drives success in Utah’s primary elections—party process or voter appeal? As debates continue over conventions, signatures, and ballot access, this conversation looks at how candidates connect with voters and what that means for the future of Utah politics.

On The Hinckley Report, Becki Tew Wright (Proximity - tech solutions for political operations), Taylor Morgan (Morgan May Public Affairs), and Doug Owens (Utah House Democratic Caucus) discuss how campaign strategy, voter outreach, and coalition‑building shape outcomes—and why reaching beyond a party’s base can matter.

Watch the full discussion at YouTube.com/ (https://youtu.be/xurdgqwIpFs?si=L4CvizLcQJqvsqSS) and join the conversation in the comments.

04/25/2026

Questions around judicial accountability and public trust are taking center stage in Utah. As new developments emerge around the courts, journalists and analysts are examining what transparency looks like—and why confidence in institutions matters now more than ever.

On The Hinckley Report, Daniel Woodruff (KSL 5 TV), Marty Carpenter (Northbound Strategy), and Heidi Hatch (KUTV 2News) discuss the broader implications for governance, trust, and the role of local journalism in bringing clarity to complex stories.

Watch the full conversation at YouTube.com/ (https://youtu.be/OZX0rf3WJvs?si=ROfaJ-jwkHMLmw3g) and join the discussion in the comments.

04/17/2026

How much personal information should be part of the public election record? As voter data privacy comes under renewed scrutiny, Utah journalists are digging into how changes could affect transparency, trust, and voter confidence.

On The Hinckley Report, Brigham Tomco (Deseret News), McKenzie Romero (Utah News Dispatch), and Sean Higgins (KUER 90.1) explore what’s driving the debate—and why the balance between access and protection matters.

Watch the full discussion at YouTube.com/ (https://youtu.be/4kwUSwbFI-0?si=kDt44A5E6JUsF0li) and join the conversation in the comments.

04/12/2026

How much authority does Washington actually have over how states run elections?

This week on The Hinckley Report, Leah Murray (The Walker Institute at Weber State University), Robert Gehrke (The Salt Lake Tribune), and Max Roth (FOX 13 News) examine new federal moves around mail‑in voting—and why claims of widespread fraud don’t always line up with what Utah voters experience on the ground.

With trust in vote‑by‑mail still high across the state, the conversation turns to constitutional limits, state control, and the long‑term impact of rhetoric on public confidence.

Watch the full episode at YouTube.com/ (youtu.be/LK6WoW-UUcc?si=3Z5H8cFN59PLf-Zt).

04/03/2026

Southern Utah’s influence is extending far beyond population size. From utility‑scale energy to long‑standing legislative experience, the region is playing an increasingly central role in shaping Utah’s future.

On The Hinckley Report, Mary Weaver Bennett (Michael O. Leavitt Center for Politics and Public Service at SUU), Brad Last, former Utah House Representative, Christa Hinton for Santa Clara City Council (Santa Clara City), and Zach Renstrom (Washington County Water Conservancy District ) discuss how expertise, infrastructure, and leadership are turning growth into real statewide momentum.

Watch the full conversation at YouTube.com/ (https://youtu.be/2rJJLIQwEps?si=FA92DeewW6_C-hq1) and share your perspective below.

March 27, the Hinckley Report with host Jason Perry travels St. George for a special episode discussing the major issues...
03/26/2026

March 27, the Hinckley Report with host Jason Perry travels St. George for a special episode discussing the major issues impacting Southern Utah. Our expert panel includes Christa Hinton, City councilwoman, Santa Clara; Zach Renstrom, General Manager, Washington County Water Conservancy District; Brad Last fmr Representative from the Utah House; and Mary Weaver Bennett, Director of the Michael O. Leavitt Center for Politics and Public Service. They will examine how this growing region's economy has changed, how leaders are handling constraints and concerns over resources, and how this growing region is influencing the rest of the state.

Watch March 27 - 7pm on , streaming on YouTube/PBSUtah , or wherever you listen to podcasts!

03/26/2026

How far should election policy go before it reshapes how states run their elections? As national conversations around the SAVE Act heat up, Utah leaders and analysts are weighing not just the goal—but the ripple effects for voter participation, state authority, and long‑standing systems like vote‑by‑mail.

On The Hinckley Report, Amelia Powers Gardner (Utah County Government), Ben Winslow (FOX 13 News), and Wes Smith (Northbound Strategy) examine where strong messaging meets real‑world implementation—and why Utah may feel the impact differently than most states.

Watch the full conversation at YouTube.com/ (link in bio) and share your thoughts in the comments.

03/18/2026

How should college evolve in the age of AI? Utah leaders say the core value of higher education isn’t disappearing—but the experience is transforming.

On the latest episode of The Hinckley Report, Higher Education Commissioner Geoff Landward (Utah System of Higher Education), Utah State University President Brad Mortensen and Rep. Karen Peterson (Utah House of Representatives), discuss how AI is reshaping classrooms, how students can prepare for an AI‑informed workforce, and what opportunities innovation brings for Utah’s campuses.

Watch the full discussion at YouTube.com/ [https://youtu.be/HtYPVxTMNu8?si=znfpKqlM9SW6S2pT] and share your hopes for higher education in the comments.

03/17/2026

House Bill 88 is drawing significant attention on Capitol Hill. The proposal would bar undocumented immigrants from accessing state‑ and locally‑funded public assistance programs, raising major questions about fiscal impact, implementation, and potential unintended consequences.

Joining The Hinckley Report, Utah House of Representatives' Rep. Andrew Stoddard (Utah House Democratic Caucus) and Representative Steve Eliason (Utah Republican Party), and Heidi Hatch (KUTV 2News) discuss the concerns emerging as the bill heads to the House floor for further debate.

Catch the full conversation at YouTube.com/ (https://youtu.be/j2iT8UmzlhM?si=Ey-7AdLbtv3xldA6) and offer your considerations in the comments.

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