Phippen is running in the Republican primary to replace Sen. Mitt Romney.

By Brigham Tomco

U.S. Senate candidate Carolyn Phippen cut through the debates on border security and Ukraine assistance with one assertion.

“Our country is broke,” Phippen told the Deseret News and KSL editorial boards on Monday.

This financial fact — that the country is $34 trillion in debt — simplifies discussions on immigration and foreign aid and points to clear next steps, according to Phippen.

On immigration, force migrants to wait out the adjudication of asylum claims in Mexico where they can’t access U.S. welfare benefits. On Ukraine, cease further monetary and military support to avoid depleting U.S. weapons stocks.

Themes of fiscal conservatism, foreign intervention and illegal immigration have dominated Utah’s Republican primary race to replace Sen. Mitt Romney. Other Republican candidates, including Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs, former Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson and attorney Brent Hatch, have toed a similar party line.

But by highlighting her background as the mother of five boys, Phippen has said she meets the demand for “something different.”

“I’m not a politician,” Phippen said.

However, Phippen, the former executive director of Freedom Front, counts on plenty of connections and policy know-how after working for some of Utah’s most prominent politicians. First, as chief of communications for former Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes and then as regional director and government affairs adviser to Sen. Mike Lee.

Phippen: Stop helping Ukraine, stand by Israel

When it comes to Ukraine, Phippen’s policy positions align closely with her former boss in the Senate.

“I think this is a war that is not ours to fight,” Phippen said. “I support no more resources.”

Phippen said the $100 billion in financial and military aid delivered to Ukraine has left the U.S. less prepared to defend itself and is a bad use of money the country doesn’t have. “We literally are $34.5 trillion in debt, if nobody noticed.”

Phippen’s views on Ukraine aid include more than fiscal concerns. She doesn’t believe supporting the Eastern European country in its defensive war against Russia is in America’s interest.

https://www.deseret.com/utah/2024/04/08/carolyn-phippen-us-senate-mitt-romney-utah/