Trent Christensen Announces Bid to Replace Utah AG

Republican Trent Christensen on Thursday announced his bid for Utah Attorney General after Sean Reyes' announcement that he will not seek reelection over his decadelong friendship with the embattled founder of an anti-child-trafficking organization.

Christensen, an attorney and supporter of former President Donald Trump, said the AG's office needed an "America-first fighter."

He is the fourth Republican to announce his candidacy, joining Derek Brown, a former Utah House member, and Frank Demcy Mylar and Rachel Terry, former assistant attorneys general in the Utah Attorney General's Office.

"With the radical left in full control of the White House, there has never been a greater need for an Attorney General willing to fight for conservative Utah values," Christensen said in a statement.

"Conservative Attorneys General across the country are winning battles for free speech, stopping vaccine mandates, halting the woke ESG agenda, and securing our border. I believe Utah needs to be part of that fight."

He continued: "As a supporter of Donald Trump I look forward to seeing him in the White House again and supporting him in pushing back on the damage Biden has caused our country and Utah. I will be the Attorney General willing to take on the tough fights and win for Utah.

"As the son of a legal immigrant, I understand the importance of legal immigration, rule of law and want to see our immigration laws enforced."

Reyes is facing scrutiny over his friendship with Tim Ballard, the now-ousted founder of nonprofit Operation Underground Railroad who has been accused of sexual assault by multiple women and is the subject of a criminal investigation.

Ballard's organization rose to prominence last summer as a focal point of the film "Sound of Freedom," which was widely praised by conservative moviegoers and included a producer credit for the attorney general.

• Ballard, 'Sound of Freedom': Trafficking Incentivized
• Nothing Imaginary, Exaggerated About Child Trafficking