Millcreek's state senator is among more than a dozen Democratic officials publicly criticizing Equality Utah for endorsing a Republican over an openly LGBTQ+ Democrat in a Salt Lake County Council race.

Sen. Nate Blouin, a Democrat representing Senate District 13, co-signed a joint statement Wednesday, Sept. 9, calling the organization's 2026 endorsement decisions "so disappointing," ABC4 reported.

The dispute centers on Equality Utah's political action committee endorsing Republican Mike Bird over Democrat Luke Maynes, an LGBTQ+ community member, for the Salt Lake County Council District 3 seat. The coalition said the organization either declined to endorse openly queer candidates or backed their opponents in multiple races this cycle.

The statement, also signed by Reps. Angela Romero, Rosalba Dominguez, Sahara Hayes and Grant Miller, Salt Lake County Council members Jiro Johnson and Natalie Pinkney, and several other local officials, called on Equality Utah to "recommit to its mission going forward." Romero, Hayes, Miller and Johnson are themselves endorsed by Equality Utah for the 2026 general election.

The signatories argued that LGBTQ+ representation in Utah politics depends on organizations like Equality Utah using their influence to support candidates who reflect the community, particularly when those candidates are running competitive campaigns. Without that backing, the coalition said, the message to queer Utahns considering a run for office is discouraging.

Blouin did not issue a separate individual statement about the endorsement dispute. No direct comment from Blouin beyond the joint statement appears in public reporting.

Equality Utah's PAC, in a written response, said LGBTQ+ identity alone does not determine its endorsements. The committee said it weighs candidates' commitment to the LGBTQ+ community, their ability to govern effectively, campaign viability and the strategic impact of each endorsement. The organization said it applies that process regardless of party, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Bird said the endorsement surprised him. "I was humbled. I was grateful and really honored to be able to be trusted with that support," he told ABC4. Bird said his connection to LGBTQ+ issues is personal: his twin brother celebrated a second wedding anniversary with his husband. Bird also noted Equality Utah endorsed him two years ago when he ran for House District 35 in Murray.

The Salt Lake County Council District 3 race between Bird and Maynes will be on the November 2026 general election ballot.