Democrats Oust Riebe From Caucus, Call for Resignation
Utah Senate Democrats removed Sen. Kathleen Riebe from their caucus after an independent review, and she has refused to step down.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Political Parties
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Senate Democrats voted to remove Sen. Kathleen Riebe from their caucus and called on her to resign, announcing the vote less than an hour before polls closed on Election Day. Riebe said she is not resigning and has requested a copy of the independent review's findings.
Why it matters
The independent review followed a complaint alleging workplace discrimination and harassment, and its findings have not been made public. The dispute raises questions about transparency and accountability within Utah's Senate Democratic caucus.
The independent review concluded there was a pattern of conduct likely motivated by race, national origin, or ethnicity, and it contained statements about employment decisions based on sexual orientation or other protected characteristics. The report has not been made public, and a Senate spokesperson declined to release it, citing confidentiality.
The players
Kathleen Riebe
Utah state senator first elected in 2018 and now serving her fourth term, who is facing removal from the Senate Democratic caucus.
Utah Senate Democrats
The caucus of Democratic members in the Utah State Senate, which voted to remove Riebe and call for her resignation.
The details
Senate Democrats voted to remove Riebe from their caucus and called for her resignation after an independent review of a workplace discrimination and harassment complaint. Riebe, first elected to the Utah state Senate in 2018, said she will seek an opportunity to respond to the review.
Timeline
2018: Riebe first elected to the Utah state Senate.
Election Day, before polls closed: Senate Democrats voted to remove Riebe and called for her resignation.
Wednesday: Riebe issued a statement refusing to resign.
Jan. 1, 2029: Riebe's current Senate term expires.
Political Context
Caucus removals in state legislatures often follow internal investigations, but the decision to act before findings are public places weight on the review's conclusions. Riebe's refusal to resign and her demand for the report set up a contest over how much of an internal review should be disclosed.
Riebe's removal from the Democratic caucus changes how she is organized within the Senate, though her seat and term remain in place. Voters in her district will have to weigh an unreleased review against her denial of the findings.
The takeaway
Internal investigations that shape party decisions can carry weight even before their findings are public, so readers should watch whether the review is released or its contents are otherwise disclosed.
What happens next
Riebe's current Senate term runs through Jan. 1, 2029, and she has said she will seek an opportunity to respond to the review.
Further reading
For broader context on the caucus, see Political Parties coverage across Utah.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KPVI.
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