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It would be hard to name a more influential figure in the development of Utah than Brigham Young.
As leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Young led the emigration of his people to the region. Eventually eighty-thousand Mormons would make their way to the Utah territory under his guidance.
But Young was also a political office holder. He was the first territorial governor, serving for eight years. . .and did double duty as the territory’s resident Indian agent. Despite shaping thirty years of daily life in Utah, Young only stood for election one time. In 1862, as part of a bid for statehood, Young ran as a candidate for governor. Ten thousand votes were cast. . .and Brigham Young received all ten thousand. The bid for statehood failed. . .and it would prove to be the last stand of absolute one-party politics in Utah.
It’s a chapter from our political history. . .in 2000 your vote can help write the next chapter.
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Although he was governor of Utah Territory for less than a decade, Brigham Young (pictured) remained the real power in religious and civic affairs for thirty years.