PoliticIt Podcast

Randy Watt From Special Forces Colonel to Police Chief A Lifetime of Tactical Leadership and Service

🗣️ Hosted by: Utah State Senator John D. Johnson In this compelling episode, Senator John D. Johnson welcomes retired Special Forces Colonel and former Ogden Police Chief Randy Watt for an in-depth conversation on leadership, service, and national security. With over three decades of experience in law enforcement, Randy shares insights from his time with the Ogden Police Department, including 12 years in SWAT and 15 years as the department’s lead firearms and defensive tactics trainer.
His leadership extended beyond local service, as he advised and trained police departments nationwide and contributed to national tactical standards through his work with the National Tactical Officers Association. But Randy’s service didn’t stop at the badge. With 34 years in the Utah National Guard—culminating in his role as a Special Forces Colonel—Randy led combat operations in both Afghanistan and Iraq.
He commanded at every level of Special Forces, from Operational Detachment Alpha (ODA) to Battalion and group-level leadership, bringing battlefield-tested strategy to both military and civilian spheres. This episode dives into the realities of police use-of-force litigation, counter-terrorism leadership, and how training, discipline, and integrity define a career of service. Whether you’re in public safety, the military, or leadership at any level, Randy Watt’s story offers lessons in courage, decision-making, and resilience. 🎧 Tune in to hear: How Randy bridged the gap between law enforcement and military service. His role in shaping police leadership and tactics across the U.S.: Lessons from combat and SWAT missions that apply to everyday leadership. Why preparation, not rank, makes the leader.
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Meet Senator Daniel McCay 🇺🇸

Meet Senator Daniel McCay 🇺🇸 A seasoned Republican lawmaker, Dan McCay has served in both the Utah House and Senate, championing conservative causes from education to state infrastructure. His legislation has addressed abortion, transgender sports participation, and even a $1 billion NHL stadium proposal. A husband, father of six, attorney, and real estate professional, McCay continues to shape Utah’s political landscape.
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Kelvyn Cullimore is back on Politicit to give us an update on recent proposed legislation.

Join our host, Senator John Johnson, as he welcomes Kelvyn Cullimore, President and CEO of BioUtah. Kelvyn has over three decades of experience as a MedTech CEO, more than a decade on the board of the Medical Device Manufacturers Association, and a decade as mayor of a suburb of Salt Lake City. He uniquely understands industry and policy issues to advance association objectives and help member companies. He has been CEO of BioUtah since October 2018.
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Mike Carey, SLCo GOP Chair, joins to talk strategy, outreach, and Utah's political future.

Mike Carey and his family moved to Utah over 14 years ago, drawn by its strong sense of community, shared values, and natural beauty. Having worked across the United States, Mike has witnessed how communities can transform within a generation and understands both the opportunities and the challenges that accompany such change.
As Chair of the Salt Lake County Republican Party, Mike is dedicated to strengthening the organization through enhanced strategy, effective communication, and targeted outreach. He recognizes that Salt Lake County is the political battleground for the future of Utah.
In this role, Mike will:
Improve the quality of the party’s membership roll and actively grow its base.
Expand fundraising efforts to support greater outreach and increased activities during election years.
Deepen engagement with county and state officials to ensure those in office reflect Republican values and priorities.
Recruit strong, dependable conservative candidates positioned to win key races in 2026.
Coordinate with state party leadership to focus efforts and resources on Salt Lake County races following the primary and heading into the general election.
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Laura Warburton. Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Motivational Speaker, Educator, & Advocate on Politicit

Laura Warburton is the founder and Executive Director of Live Hannah’s Hope, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth and reducing suicide through education, research, advocacy, and awareness. After the heartbreaking loss of her 16-year-old daughter Hannah to suicide on June 19, 2014, Laura committed her life to preventing similar tragedies.
Choosing not to dwell on “what ifs,” she embraced the mantra Because of Hannah—a guiding force in her mission to support struggling youth, comfort survivors, reduce the stigma around mental illness, and raise awareness about the long-term effects of concussions.
A certified QPR Master Trainer, Laura is also trained in SafeTalk, Crisis Response Planning (CRP), Peer-to-Peer Grief Facilitation, Learning to Breathe, and The Work of Byron Katie. Her unique problem-solving ability and collaboration with lawmakers have contributed to several of Utah’s suicide prevention policies.
Laura speaks to youth and adult audiences in both secular and faith-based settings. Though a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, she connects with all faiths, offering hope, healing, and education—essential tools in suicide prevention.
Her favorite invitation: “Let’s talk about it.”
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Leah A. Murray, Ph.D., Brady Prof., Political Science & Walker Institute Director.

Leah Murray is a Brady Presidential Distinguished Professor of Political Science and the Olene S. Walker Institute of Politics & Public Service director at Weber State University.
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Kevin Greene State Director of Americans for Prosperity-Utah (AFP-UT) in studio today.

Kevin Greene is the State Director of Americans for Prosperity-Utah (AFP-UT). He joined AFP-UT in 2018 and previously served as Policy Director and Deputy State Director. AFP-UT's and AFP-UT's websites. Recently, Greene has been vocal about supporting school choice and criticizing government subsidies for professional sports teams, according to Americans for Prosperity.
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Robert Axson chairs the Utah GOP; ex-staffer to Sen. Mike Lee and former party vice-chair

Join our host Senator John Johnson as he welcomes Rob Axson, Chairman of the Utah Republican Party.
He cares deeply about the future of Utah and believes the Republican Party must play a significant role in advancing truth and shared prosperity. Through connection and relationship-building, he sees a path to addressing common challenges. He firmly believes that honesty and engagement can be fostered without compromising principles or abandoning the truth. Together, he believes, Utahns can ensure the state party remains strong and capable of keeping Utah red.
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Steve Waldrip is the Governor’s Senior Housing Strategy and Innovation Advisor today on PoliticIt

Steve Waldrip earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Brigham Young University, a law degree from the University of Utah, and a Master’s in Taxation from the University of Washington. After a brief period practicing law, he joined the Boyer Company in Utah at the outset of the Business Depot Ogden (BDO) project. As project manager, he played a key role in securing $500 million in private investment for BDO and the Ogden area, negotiated $250 million in lease agreements, and contributed to creating over 4,000 jobs.
He later served two terms in the Utah House of Representatives and co-founded the Rocky Mountain Homes Fund, a social impact real estate fund, where he worked for several years. In December 2023, he was appointed as the Governor’s Senior Advisor for Housing Strategy and Innovation. He also serves on the Board of United Way of Northern Utah, the Utah Commission on Housing Affordability, and the Board of the Utah Housing Corporation.
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Kirk Cullimore Jr. is a Utah senator, elected in 2018 and now represents the 19th district

Senator Kirk A. Cullimore Jr. has represented Utah’s 9th Senate District since his election in 2018. He began his education at Utah Valley University, earning an Associate’s Degree in music. He then spent two years in the Philippines as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Upon returning, he continued his studies at Brigham Young University, where he completed a Bachelor’s Degree in music. Afterward, he spent six years teaching music and managing a music instruction studio. Seeking a new direction, he pursued a Juris Doctor at the University of Oklahoma. Senator Cullimore began his legal career in Oklahoma, focusing primarily on Federal Indian Law. His work included tribal business transactions, gaming law, development of tribal policies and procedures, and administrative law. He also practiced in areas such as general business and contract law, property management, fair housing, homeowners' associations, and collections.
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