Gary Herbert doesn't have authority to make changes within the Utah County Republican party, but he does have influence.

"I feel like I'm kind of in the middle of the crossfire," Herbert said. "I know she'd like me to wave the magic wand and fix it, but that authority hasn't been given to me."

Herbert and Housekeeper have known each other for some time, and he said the things he heard in the meeting with her could at least be perceived as questionable, even if they were innocently done.

"Perception becomes reality for people," he said.

Housekeeper took on incumbent Brad Daw for the House District 60 seat in Orem. At the GOP county convention in April, she missed dragging Daw into a primary by one vote. She challenged the results based on allegations of double ballots and unseated delegates but was told on Monday that the window for such a challenge was closed.

Jackie de Gaston, a Republican who challenged state Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, for the Senate District 16 nomination, has also filed a complaint with the county GOP this month over the convention, asking that the results be voided because of a failure to maintain the integrity of the voting process.

Housekeeper has threatened a lawsuit, though one has yet to be filed. Housekeeper said after the Thursday meeting that Herbert asked her to not file the lawsuit in exchange for getting help with other issues that she and a handful of other Republicans have brought up with the party. Those issues include the use of automatic delegates, the perceived lack of neutrality in intra-party races and ensuring language in the county's bylaws correlates with state bylaws.

Housekeeper said she appreciates the offer but that she feels she can get enough backing to change the rules at the organizing convention next year. That leaves the question of the lawsuit, which she says is still a distinct possibility.

"They put that on themselves," Housekeeper said. "They're the ones that pulled the daggers, not me."

Herbert says he isn't taking a position on any of the issues, including Housekeeper's convention challenge, until he knows more. That means talking to party officials, which he plans to do.

"I don't see any easy, good answers," he said. "No matter what happens, somebody is going to be upset. All I can do is go forward."

Herbert will be meeting with county party Chairwoman Marian Monnahan, who said she welcomes the opportunity.

"I think what he's trying to do is look at all sides," Monnahan said.

Aside from anything related to Housekeeper, Monnahan has some things she'd like to ask about, including whether delegate information should be made available to the public instead of just candidates because of concerns of identity theft and stalking.