In Utah's shifting political landscape, Jackie Morgan and Gabi Finlayson saw an opportunity where others only saw challenges. Having grown up as progressive outliers in conservative communities, both women were drawn to political work from an early age, inspired by mothers who engaged in grassroots activism despite living in overwhelmingly Republican neighborhoods.
Their paths took them across the country – Gabi working for Pete Buttigieg in Iowa and the Biden campaign in New Hampshire, Jackie moving to New York before managing education campaigns remotely – but they eventually returned to Utah with a shared vision. After a single two-hour meeting at a downtown bar, Elevate Strategies was born, a consultancy determined to help everyday people run for office who might otherwise lack the resources or connections to do so.
What makes Elevate unique isn't just their impressive win rate (11 victories from 15 races in their first year) but their innovative approach to political communication. Recognizing that most people find politics overwhelming and inaccessible, they began creating content explaining Utah's legislative session in simple, engaging terms. Within weeks, they had amassed tens of thousands of followers on social platforms and built a 20,000-subscriber Substack newsletter where readers eagerly consume their 5,000-word analyses of complex legislation.
Their success reflects a genuine hunger for straightforward political information without partisan spin. As Jackie explains, "People are tired of both-sidism. They're looking for people to give it to them straight." This philosophy extends to their Political Action Committee, which supports candidates like teachers, nurses, and community leaders who understand local needs but lack political networks.
The timing couldn't be better. Utah represents a unique political opportunity as the youngest, fastest-growing state in America, with universal vote-by-mail (rare among red states) and the largest leftward shift in LDS voters under 35 of any demographic since 2016. While Elevate's work is firmly progressive, their approach transcends partisanship – they're making democracy more accessible for everyone, providing clear explanations and actionable steps that empower everyday citizens to engage meaningfully with the political process.
Ready to see politics through a different lens? Follow @elevate_utah on social platforms and discover how two determined women are transforming Utah's political landscape one TikTok, newsletter, and grassroots campaign at a time.
Follow Them:
Instagram/Threads: @elevate_utah
TikTok: @elevate_utah
Bluesky: @elevateutahpac.bsky.social
Substack: https://elevatepac.substack.com/
Twitter: @ElevateUtahPAC
50% Off Minky Couture Blankets: softminkyblankets.com/SMALLLAKECITY
www.skydiveutah.com
Cache Valley Creamery Showdown
Please be sure to like, review, follow, subscribe and share the podcast with your friends and family! See you next time
Join Small Lake City: https://www.smalllakepod.com/subscribe
Instagram: @smalllakepod
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallLakeCityPodcast
TikTok: @smalllakepod
