Mike Kennedy wins GOP nomination for open Utah House seat
Mike Kennedy emerged victorious on Tuesday, securing the Republican nomination for Utah’s 3rd Congressional District and setting himself up as the frontrunner to succeed Rep. John Curtis. Kennedy outpaced the competition, which included JR Bird, John Dougall, Case Lawrence, and Stewart Peay, in a closely contested primary race. Curtis is stepping down from his seat to pursue a Senate position left vacant by Sen. Mitt Romney.
In April, Kennedy clinched the party’s nomination for the congressional seat, but he faced stiff opposition from candidates who garnered signatures to be included on the ballot. Peay garnered the endorsement of Romney, who happens to be Peay’s wife’s uncle. On the other hand, Kennedy secured the backing of Sen. Mike Lee, who emphasized Kennedy’s role in combating the notion of the “Uniparty” and steering the country back on the right course.
The Republican primary debate for Utah’s 3rd Congressional District was a lively affair, with candidates Bird, Dougall, Lawrence, and Peay offering distinct viewpoints and strategies. Bird, with experience as a mayor, highlighted his leadership in a small town and underscored the significance of the energy sector and agriculture.
Dougall, the state auditor, positioned himself as an anti-MAGA candidate, criticizing certain GOP legislation and denouncing former President Trump. During the debate, Dougall questioned the allegiance of officials who pledge to uphold the Constitution but then associate themselves with Trump post-January 6th. He portrayed himself as a “mainstream, not MAGA” candidate.
At the debate, the contenders diverged on critical issues such as military aid to Ukraine and federal policies on abortion. Peay, Dougall, and Lawrence advocated for continuous arms support to Ukraine to repel the Russian invasion. In contrast, Bird and Kennedy argued against funding Ukrainian forces and instead called for imposing stricter sanctions and confiscating Russian assets.
The November elections will see Kennedy squaring off against Democrat Glenn Wright, with Kennedy enjoying a clear advantage due to the district’s consistent Republican voting pattern dating back to 1997.
Meanwhile, in other parts of Utah, Republican Governor Spencer Cox, a vocal critic of former President Trump, successfully fended off a primary challenge from Phil Lyman, a staunch denier of the 2020 election results who garnered considerable support at the state party convention.
