SALT LAKE CITY — Few names are as synonymous with Utah political cartooning as Pat Bagley, whose latest piece, “The Road,” continues his nearly five-decade tradition of sharp, thought-provoking commentary on American life and Utah politics.
Published on October 21, 2025, Bagley’s work in The Salt Lake Tribune stands as a testament to his enduring voice in journalism. A Pulitzer Prize finalist and one of only about a dozen full-time editorial cartoonists still working at major U.S. newspapers, Bagley has spent more than 45 years using humor and imagery to challenge, provoke, and inspire readers.
A Lifelong Career in Political Cartooning
After graduating from Brigham Young University in 1978 with a degree in political science, Bagley joined The Tribune, where he has since published over 6,000 cartoons. His work has appeared not only in the Tribune but also in The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Guardian, and the Los Angeles Times. He is syndicated nationwide, reaching audiences in more than 450 newspapers.
Born in Utah and raised in Oceanside, California, Bagley’s upbringing and worldview have long shaped his distinctive voice. The son of a mayor and a schoolteacher, he often draws upon both civic engagement and moral reflection in his art.
A member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in his early life, Bagley served a mission in Bolivia during the 1970s. In 2009, he publicly stated that he had “retired” from the church following remarks by LDS Apostle Dallin H. Oaks on same-sex marriage protests, clarifying that his departure was without bitterness but rooted in conscience.
A Rare Voice in a Shrinking Field
At a time when editorial cartooning is fading in many American newsrooms, Bagley’s continued presence represents a vital link between art and accountability. His cartoons frequently tackle issues such as Utah politics, religious influence, national elections, and social justice — always with wit and depth that resonate far beyond the Beehive State.
As one of the few remaining independent visual journalists in the U.S., Bagley’s voice continues to embody what local journalism strives to achieve: to inform, provoke thought, and hold power to account.
Supporting Local Journalism
Bagley’s work also highlights the Salt Lake Tribune’s unique nonprofit model, which has sustained Utah’s oldest independent newsroom since its transition in 2019. The Tribune’s mission — to deliver investigative, fearless reporting — relies on reader support through subscriptions and donations that help preserve journalism as a public good.
For more of Pat Bagley’s recent work, readers can visit sltrib.com and explore the Bagley Cartoons archive.
