Andrew McCullough
Andrew McCullough (Libertarian Party) ran for election for Attorney General of Utah. He lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.
McCullough was a Libertarian candidate for Utah Attorney General in the 2016 election. He was defeated by Sean D. Reyes (R) in the general election.[1]
McCullough has run for attorney general five times previously—in 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2014. In 2010, he made a bid for the governor's office. In each case, he sought election on the Libertarian ticket.
Biography
McCullough earned his bachelor's degrees in political science and sociology from Brigham Young University, and then his law degree from the University of Utah. His political activism dates back to his early years as a student in Utah in the 1970s, when he served four years as State Treasurer of the Utah Young Republicans. During this period, he gained political experience by interning for Senator James Buckley.[2] He went on to become the Chair of the Utah Libertarian party, a role he occupied from 2008-2010.[2]
After graduating from law school in 1973, McCullough began his legal career as a Partner at Mulliner & McCullough, Attorneys at Law in Orem, Utah.[3]
McCullough has concentrated on 1st and 4th Amendment law during his tenure at the firm of McCullough & Associates, where he has worked as principal attorney since 1999. Prior to joining this firm, he was Senior Partner in McCullough, Jones & Ivins, attorneys at law.[3]
Education
- B.A., Political Science and Sociology, Brigham Young University (1970)
- J.D., University of Utah College of Law- Salt Lake City (1973)
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 | ||
| Total votes: 1,449,495 | ||||
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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 | ||
| Total votes: 408,705 | ||||
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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 | ||
| Total votes: 793 | ||||
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Republican convention
Republican Convention for Attorney General of Utah
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.
| Total votes: 3,778 |
||||
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) | |
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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) | |
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for McCullough in this election.
2016
- See also: Utah Attorney General election, 2016
Incumbent Sean D. Reyes defeated Jon Harper, Andrew McCullough, and Michael IsBell in the Utah attorney general election.
| Utah Attorney General, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Sean D. Reyes Incumbent |
65.41% | 719,043 | |
| Democratic | Jon Harper | 25.07% | 275,568 | |
| Libertarian | Andrew McCullough | 6.73% | 73,973 | |
| Independent American Party | Michael IsBell | 2.79% | 30,687 | |
| Total Votes | 1,099,271 | |||
| Source: Utah Lieutenant Governor's Office-Elections | ||||
2014
McCullough ran for election to the office of Utah Attorney General.[4] The general election took place on November 4, 2014.
Results
General election
| Attorney General of Utah, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Sean Reyes Incumbent |
63.1% | 355,275 | |
| Democratic | Charles Stormont | 27% | 151,967 | |
| Libertarian | Andrew McCullough | 4% | 22,333 | |
| Constitution | Gregory Hansen | 3.3% | 18,722 | |
| Independent | Leslie Curtis | 2.7% | 15,108 | |
| Total Votes | 563,405 | |||
| Election results via Utah Lieutenant Governor | ||||
Race background
Special election circumstances
- See also: John Swallow's controversies
In 2012, Deputy Attorney General John Swallow was elected state attorney general. Almost immediately Swallow was beset by scandal and controversy, leading to ethics and elections law investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Utah State Legislature. These events eventually caused Swallow to resign on December 3, 2013.
In his place, the governor appointed Republican Sean Reyes, who took office on December 30, 2013. Reyes came second behind Swallow in the heated 2012 Republican primary for attorney general. Reyes ran to retain the office in a special election on November 4, 2014. He did not face any contentious campaigning in the primary in 2014 as he ran unopposed for the nomination.
Reyes's major-party opposition in November was Democrat Charles Stormont, a lawyer in the Utah Attorney General's office. Three other candidates faced Reyes and Stormont in November: Libertarian Andrew McCullough, Constitution Party candidate Gregory Hansen and American Independent Party candidate Leslie Curtis. Reyes won election to the remaining two years of Swallow's term.
2012
- See also: Utah attorney general election, 2012
McCullough was a 2012 Libertarian candidate for Attorney General of Utah. He faced deputy chief attorney general John Swallow (R) and Weber County Attorney Dee W. Smith (D) in the general election on November 6, 2012.[5]
| Attorney General of Utah General Election, 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Dee W. Smith | 30.1% | 269,893 | |
| Republican | John Swallow |
64.6% | 579,118 | |
| Libertarian | W. Andrew McCullough | 5.3% | 47,347 | |
| Total Votes | 896,358 | |||
| Election results via Utah Lieutenant Governor (dead link) | ||||
2010
McCullough faced Gary Herbert (D) and Peter Corroon (R) in the general election on November 2, 2010.
| Governor/Lt. Governor of Utah, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Gary Herbert/Greg Bell Incumbent |
64.2% | 381,531 | |
| Democratic | Peter Corroon/Sheryl Allen | 31.8% | 188,911 | |
| Independent | Farley M. Anderson/Steve Maxfield | 2% | 11,842 | |
| Libertarian | W. Andrew McCullough/Aric Cramer, Sr. | 2% | 11,723 | |
| Total Votes | 594,007 | |||
| Election results via Electionresults.utah.gov (dead link) (dead link)' | ||||
2008
| Utah Attorney General, 2008 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Mark L. Shurtleff Incumbent |
69.3% | 650,147 | |
| Democratic | Jean Welch Hill | 26.6% | 249,492 | |
| Libertarian | W. Andrew McCullough | 4.1% | 38,231 | |
| Total Votes | 937,870 | |||
| Election results via Elections.utah.gov | ||||
2004
On November 2, 2004, Mark L. Shurtleff won re-election to the office of Utah Attorney General. He defeated Gregory G. Skordas (D) and W. Andrew McCullough (L) in the general election.
| Utah Attorney General, 2004 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Mark L. Shurtleff Incumbent |
68.4% | 614,742 | |
| Democratic | Gregory G. Skordas | 28.4% | 255,779 | |
| Libertarian | W. Andrew McCullough | 3.2% | 28,704 | |
| Total Votes | 899,225 | |||
| Election results via Utah Secretary of State. | ||||
2000
On November 7, 2000, Mark L. Shurtleff won election to the office of Utah Attorney General. He defeated Reed M. Richards (D) and W. Andrew McCullough (L) in the general election.
| Utah Attorney General, 2000 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Mark L. Shurtleff |
57.5% | 435,988 | |
| Democratic | Reed M. Richards | 39.5% | 299,683 | |
| Libertarian | W. Andrew McCullough | 2.9% | 22,273 | |
| Total Votes | 757,944 | |||
| Election results via Utah Secretary of State. | ||||
Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Andrew McCullough did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.
Interview with Q Salt Lake Magazine
McCullough highlighted the following themes in an interview with Q Salt Lake Magazine in articles published on August 21, 2024, and September 18, 2024. The questions from Q Salt Lake Magazine are bolded and McCullough's responses follow below.[6][7]
| “ |
If SCOTUS overturns Obergefell, which legalized same-gender marriage nationwide, and Utah’s Amendment 3, defining marriage between one man and one woman, becomes law again, would you defend it? The tendency by the current Supreme Court to walk back on the long series of court decisions enforcing Federal constitutional rights against State incursions is alarming. The current Court wants to cut back on the use of the Fourteenth Amendment to protect citizens; and I would hope to see Utah in the forefront of opposition to that movement. HB 257 requires people to use restrooms in government operated buildings that correspond to their gender assigned at birth (on their birth certificate.) It will likely face legal challenges. As AG, what do you do? Both sides in this dispute claim this is a matter of personal safety. Birth certificates can be changed by court order. I am not sure if that is an adequate remedy, but I’m open to discussion. It is not as simple as saying that people can determine which sex they are simply by declaring it. Anti-LGBTQ+ proposed laws are often couched as “religious freedom” bills. How will you protect the rights of the community against this type of legislated discrimination? Businesses generally should not discriminate but I am not without sympathy toward an artist who is approached to individually design wedding items, for instance. As an attorney, I can turn down a case I do not want to pursue. I tend to think others who are in individual service professions should have the same right. Utah has spent millions defending laws later ruled as un-Constitutional. As AG how will you prevent the state from wasting taxpayers’ money? I would work with the government to get them to understand when they have violated the Constitution, and to try and get them to change their minds. I would speak out in the legislature and oppose bills which would violate the Federal and State Constitutions. For several years the AG’s office has been plagued with scandal and a seeming lack of integrity. How would you restore faith in the office? First of all, I do not seek higher office for self-importance. I would simply work to protect citizens against government excesses and to defend freedom. I would not seek a second term, so I would not be spending time and effort raising money from rich people to support my political needs. Specifically, why should LGBTQ+ parents vote for you? I am not sure entirely what sets “gay parents” apart from other parents. All want what is best for their families. I am not a parent and have always been single. I know how discrimination feels and how difficult it is to fit in when you are “not like” others. I will remember that those who are different must be equal (but not be forced to be “the same”.)[8] |
” |
2012
War on Drugs
McCullough stated paring down anti-drug crusading among his top priorities for office, citing the wasteful spending that goes into policing and imprisoning petty drug users as well his discomfort with criminalizing "an entire generation." According to him, "The State should not be making moral choices for its citizens."[9]
Jobs
McCullough believes that it is not the duty of the state to create jobs. The state should, however, foster a friendlier economic environment for private sector business growth, through actions such as lowering taxes and reducing "unnecessary" regulation.[10]
Campaign finance summary
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.
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term "Andrew + McCullough + Utah + Attorney + General"
See also
2024 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Utah Lieutenant Governor, "2016 Candidate Filings," accessed March 22, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Project Vote Smart biography of W. Andrew McCullough
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Andrew McCullough for Attorney General of Utah, "About me," accessed March 16, 2012
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs nameddeclare - ↑ Deseret News, "Election Results" accessed November 6, 2012
- ↑ Q Salt Lake Magazine, “Utah Election 2024: Ask the AG,” August 21, 2024
- ↑ Q Salt Lake Magazine, "Utah Election 2024: Ask the AG, part 2," September 18, 2024
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ The Desert News, "Candidate Survey- W. Andrew McCullough," accessed March 14, 2012
- ↑ The Desert News, "Candidate Survey- W. Andrew McCullough," accessed March 14, 2012
