Rudy Bautista

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Rudy Bautista

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

High school

Eureka Senior High School

Bachelor's

United States Merchant Marine Academy, 1991

Law

Brigham Young University, 1999

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Navy Reserve

Years of service

1991 - 2004

Personal

Birthplace

Los Angeles, Calif.

Religion

Catholic

Profession

Attorney at law

Contact

Campaign website

Personal website

Personal LinkedIn

Rudy Bautista (Democratic Party) ran for election for Attorney General of Utah. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Bautista completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Rudy Bautista was born in Los Angeles, California. He served in the U.S. Navy Reserve from 1991 to 2004. Bautista earned a high school diploma from Eureka Senior High School, a B.S. in marine transportation from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 1991, and a J.D. from Brigham Young University Law School in 1999. His career experience includes working as an attorney.

Elections

2024

See also: Utah Attorney General election, 2024

General election

General election for Attorney General of Utah

Derek Brown defeated Rudy Bautista, Michelle Quist, Andrew McCullough, and Austin Hepworth in the general election for Attorney General of Utah on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Derek Brown (R)	57.8	838,445
		Rudy Bautista (D)	27.7	401,234
		Michelle Quist (United Utah Party)	7.2	103,831
		Andrew McCullough (L)	3.9	55,932
		Austin Hepworth (Unaffiliated)	3.5	50,053

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,449,495
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Attorney General of Utah

Derek Brown defeated Rachel Terry and Frank Demcy Mylar in the Republican primary for Attorney General of Utah on June 25, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Derek Brown	43.6	178,164
		Rachel Terry	32.5	133,019
		Frank Demcy Mylar	23.9	97,522

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 408,705
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Libertarian primary election

The Libertarian primary election was canceled. Andrew McCullough advanced from the Libertarian primary for Attorney General of Utah.

United Utah Party primary election

The United Utah Party primary election was canceled. Michelle Quist advanced from the United Utah Party primary for Attorney General of Utah.

Democratic convention

Democratic convention for Attorney General of Utah

Rudy Bautista defeated David Carlson in the Democratic convention for Attorney General of Utah on April 27, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Rudy Bautista (D)	64.4	511
		David Carlson (D)	35.6	282

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 793
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican convention

Republican Convention for Attorney General of Utah

Select round: Round 2 Round 1

The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: Rachel Terry in round 2 , and Frank Demcy Mylar in round 2 . The results of Round are displayed below. To see the results of other rounds, use the dropdown menu above to select a round and the table will update.

		Candidate	%	Total Votes	Transfer	Round eliminated
		Frank Demcy Mylar	59.8	2,234	616	Advanced (2)
		Rachel Terry	40.2	1,504	315	Advanced (2)
		Derek Brown	0.0	0	-631	1
		Trent Christensen	0.0	0	-340	1

		Candidate	%	Total Votes	Transfer	Round eliminated
		Frank Demcy Mylar	42.8	1,618	0	Advanced (2)
		Rachel Terry	31.5	1,189	0	Advanced (2)
		Derek Brown	16.7	631	0	1
		Trent Christensen	9.0	340	0	1

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 3,778
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for Attorney General of Utah

Andrew McCullough advanced from the Libertarian convention for Attorney General of Utah on April 20, 2024.

		Candidate
✔		Andrew McCullough (L)

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

United Utah Party convention

United Utah Party convention for Attorney General of Utah

Michelle Quist advanced from the United Utah Party convention for Attorney General of Utah on April 20, 2024.

		Candidate
✔		Michelle Quist (United Utah Party)

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Bautista in this election.

2020

See also: Utah Attorney General election, 2020

Utah Attorney General election, 2020 (June 30 Republican primary)

General election

General election for Attorney General of Utah

Incumbent Sean D. Reyes defeated Greg Skordas and Rudy Bautista in the general election for Attorney General of Utah on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sean D. Reyes (R)	60.6	878,853
	Submit photo	Greg Skordas (D)	33.7	489,499
		Rudy Bautista (L)	5.7	82,444

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,450,796
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Attorney General of Utah

Incumbent Sean D. Reyes defeated David Leavitt in the Republican primary for Attorney General of Utah on June 30, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sean D. Reyes	54.0	275,212
		David Leavitt	46.0	234,036

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 509,248
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic convention

Democratic convention for Attorney General of Utah

Greg Skordas defeated Kevin Craig Probasco in the Democratic convention for Attorney General of Utah on April 25, 2020.

		Candidate
		Kevin Craig Probasco (D)
✔	Submit photo	Greg Skordas (D)

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican convention

Republican Convention for Attorney General of Utah

Select round: Round 2 Round 1

The following candidates advanced in the ranked-choice voting election: David Leavitt in round 2 , and Sean D. Reyes in round 2 . The results of Round are displayed below. To see the results of other rounds, use the dropdown menu above to select a round and the table will update.

		Candidate	%	Total Votes	Transfer	Round eliminated
		Sean D. Reyes	57.5	2,014	236	Advanced (2)
		David Leavitt	42.5	1,488	486	Advanced (2)
		John Swallow	0.0	0	-790	2

		Candidate	%	Total Votes	Transfer	Round eliminated
		Sean D. Reyes	49.8	1,778	0	Advanced (2)
		David Leavitt	28.1	1,002	0	Advanced (2)
		John Swallow	22.1	790	0	2

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2	Total votes: 3,570
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Rudy Bautista completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Bautista's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Born and raised in California, I obtained my BS from the US Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, NY. Upon graduating, I was commissioned as an officer in the US Navy and merchant marine. After sailing the world for five years, I moved to Utah to attend law school at Brigham Young University. Upon arriving in Utah, I knew immediately this would be my home for life. Since obtaining my law degree, I have spent my entire legal career defending the integrity of the criminal justice system. I started as a public defender and now operate my own law firm. Whether as an officer in the US Navy, or as a criminal defense attorney, I have fought oppression to protect our way of life.

I grew up in a working-class community in east Los Angeles. Unfortunately, I saw first-hand how high crime and unemployment can ruin a community. I believe it is essential for a community to trust that laws will be enforced, and perpetrators prosecuted. I also believe it is essential that we must not only preserve our economy, but help it grow. Businesses should be encouraged; however, employees must be protected as well. With that in mind, I am a staunch supporter of unions as I believe they are essential to not only protecting the workforce but keeping companies successful. A safe and secure workforce has proven time after time to be the most productive.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• We have all had enough of politicians and the system as it is now. I am an independent running under the Democrat Party ticket. As such, I agree with both conservative and progressive positions depending on the issue. However, as AG, I will represent the will of the people, not be a puppet of the legislature, governor, corporation, or special interest group. I have dedicated my entire career protecting the freedoms we all have and will continue to do so. I am the only candidate running for Attorney General who has refused to accept any financial contributions for his/her campaign. The State’s top prosecutor should not accept any financial contributions. This is the only way to ensure the integrity of the office and guarantee it.
• As AG, I will continue to protect us all to ensure not only that our rights are protected as guaranteed by our Constitutions but will ensure this state remains the safest in the country. Any law that is broken will be prosecuted regardless of who commits it, including politicians and perpetrators in the boardrooms. No person or entity will be above the law. However, only ethical prosecution will be allowed. It is essential for maintaining the public trust. Any law that diminishes the protections of our Constitutional Rights will not only not be defended but will be fought against. The AG must protect the citizens of this state from not only crime, but also ensure that our freedoms are protected from tyranny.
• As an attorney for over 25 years, I have heard of injustices committed by insurance and pharmaceutical companies. I will ensure that all laws are followed and will fight against price gouging. Corporate greed will be fought, investigated and penalized for any wrongdoing. Our citizens must be protected and not taken advantage of at times of need. As a small business owner, I appreciate the opportunities this country provides and will do everything to ensure it continues. However, growing up in a working-class community of Los Angeles taught me of the importance of supporting our employees as they are the backbone of this country. As such, unions will be supported and defended as well.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am most passionate about ensuring our way of life. We must defend not only our safety, but our constitutional rights. I am a staunch supporter of all of our constitutional rights. Too many have sacrificed to ensure that we have them, and everything must be done to preserve them and end the trend of discarding them for political gain or to appease a special interest group.

We need an AG who will not only protect ALL of Utah's citizens, but also one who will stand up to the legislature and governor who continually ignore what the constituents desire and are entitled under our constitutions.

A state's attorney general has many responsibilities. Which of those do you personally consider the most important?

The attorney general's most important responsibility is to ensure the protection of the citizens of this state from all wrongdoers, whether they are committed street crimes, or crimes in the boardrooms. The AG must represent the will of the people and if necessary, be willing to stand up and challenge laws that contradict the dictates of the public and not pander to political parties, elected officials, corporations, or special interest groups.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I was in elementary school when the 1970s oil crisis occurred. At that early age I realized we must stand up to protect ourselves from those who would like to take advantage of us or try to diminish our way of living. When the Iran Hostage Crisis took place, I was embarrassed how our country stood by and did nothing. I knew then that I would dedicate my life to not only ensuring our way of life, but also to protect those who cannot, or sometimes will not defend themselves. I dedicated education at becoming a military officer to defend this country. After the fall of the Soviet Union and the downsizing of our military, I decided to become a lawyer and have spent the last 25 years defending our constitution and ensuring that only the guilty are punished. I firmly believe that it is more important to release a person who may be guilty, than condemn an innocent one. As a defense attorney, I ensured only the guilty are held accountable. I wish to continue my lifetime goal of defending others by protecting our citizens constitutional rights and fighting not only crime, but corporate greed.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2020

Rudy Bautista did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Rudy Bautista campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	Attorney General of Utah	Lost general	$320	$-200
Grand total			$320	$-200
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

See also

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Candidate

Attorney General of Utah

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