Just before the end of his second term, he resigned his seat in order to attend Ave Maria School of Law in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

In early 2009, Philpot declared his intention to run against the incumbent vice-chair of the state Republican party.

While in office, he helped to create a Web Communications committee, which dramatically increased the party's digital engagement.

[8] Philpot said his chief issues included challenging the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and federal involvement in education.

"[9] He said that Utah should attempt to "nullify" the ACA and should seek to block federal eminent domain of lands, even if it meant risking arrest.

[15] LaVoy Finicum, an Arizona rancher, was the spokesman for a group of armed militants during the Malheur NWR occupation in 2016.

Finicum was armed with a loaded 9 mm handgun; he was killed after he walked away from his truck and reached for the inner pocket of his jacket.