{"id":2282408,"date":"2024-06-24T04:14:02","date_gmt":"2024-06-24T08:14:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/what-to-watch-for-in-utahs-primary-elections-how-influential-is-trump-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-06-24T04:19:22","modified_gmt":"2024-06-24T08:19:22","slug":"what-to-watch-for-in-utahs-primary-elections-how-influential-is-trump-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/what-to-watch-for-in-utahs-primary-elections-how-influential-is-trump-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"What to watch for in Utah\u2019s primary elections: How influential is Trump? &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">30<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fwhat-to-watch-for-in-utahs-primary-elections-how-influential-is-trump-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2282408&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Voters in Utah are facing significant primary races that will evaluate former President Donald Trump&#8217;s influence in the state.\u200d Although Trump has shown weak by Republican standards election results in Utah, \u2064he continues to shape the state\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/four-dangerous-new-democrat-bills-that-you-probably-havent-heard-of\/\" title=\"Four Dangerous New Democrat Bills That You Probably Haven\u2019t Heard Of\">political landscape<\/a>. His performance incurring historical lows compared \u2063to previous \u200dRepublicans, with over \u2063half\u200c the vote in the\u2063 2020 elections, but the lowest performance in a \u2064two-way presidential race since 1964.<\/p>\n<p>As Senator \u2063Mitt\u2062 Romney, \u2062a centrist Republican, announces his retirement, the race \u2064to fill his seat has heated\u200c up. Four candidates include \u200bRep. John Curtis,\u2062 who leads in polls and fundraising but hasn&#8217;t\u2064 directly endorsed Trump, and Riverton Mayor \u2063Trent Staggs, who received Trump&#8217;s endorsement\u200c and won significant delegate support at\u200d the GOP convention but has struggled in wider polling and fundraising. Other candidates in this race include Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson and businessman Jason Walton, both trailing significantly\u200b in \u2064fundraising efforts.<\/p>\n<p>The\u2063 focus is\u200c also\u2064 on\u200c Utah\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/pac-to-pump-4-5m-into-house-elections-for-pragmatic-governing-conservatives\/\" title=\"PAC to pump .5M into House elections for 'pragmatic governing conservatives'\">congressional \u200draces<\/a>. In the 1st Congressional District,\u2064 incumbent Rep. Blake Moore faces a challenge \u2063from Paul Miller, who secured\u2064 a majority of delegate votes \u2063at the GOP nominating convention. The 2nd\u200b District sees a clash between incumbent Celeste\u2064 Maloy, who has Trump&#8217;s \u200dendorsement, and Colby Jenkins, endorsed\u2063 by\u2062 Senator Mike \u200bLee, focusing on contrasting endorsements within Republican ranks.<\/p>\n<p>The outcomes of these races will test whether Trump&#8217;s endorsements influence voter decisions, especially in a state where political dynamics can be unpredictable and not always aligned with broader party leadership endorsements.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<div>\n<p>Voters in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/utah\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Utah\">Utah<\/a> will head to the polls this week in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/2024-elections\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"primary races\">primary races<\/a> that will test former <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"primary races\">President Donald Trump<\/a>\u2019s influence in the state.<\/p>\n<p>Trump\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/elections\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"election\">election<\/a> performance in Utah has been lackluster by typical <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/republican\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"election\">Republican<\/a> measures. In the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/schiff-nadler-call-flynn-pardon-abuse-of-power\/\" title=\"Schiff, Nadler Call Flynn Pardon 'Abuse of Power'\">2016 presidential election<\/a>, Trump received 45.5% of the vote in a race that included an independent conservative candidate. In 2020, Trump won 58% in Utah. That was an improvement but was still the worst showing in the state by a Republican presidential candidate in a two-way race since Barry Goldwater lost to Lyndon Johnson in 1964.<\/p>\n<p>While Utah Republicans typically embrace the most conservative candidates, the voters sometimes don\u2019t <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/eli-crane-sends-clear-message-to-swamp-after-rep-posts-donation-records-i-cant-be-bought\/\" title=\"Eli Crane's Donation Records Speak Loud: 'I'm Unbuyable'\">follow party leaders<\/a>. Winning a Utah nominating convention only means the candidate will appear on the primary ballot \u2014 but it doesn\u2019t mean they become the eventual nominee. Here\u2019s what to know about the state\u2019s marquee races and which Republican candidates have been endorsed by the former president.<\/p>\n<h2>Who will replace retiring Sen. Mitt Romney?<\/h2>\n<p>Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) has been the face of the party\u2019s centrist wing. However, a major question is will Romney\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/2443569\/sen-mitt-romney-to-retire-from-senate-instead-of-seeking-second-term\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>retirement<\/a> from the Senate bring a new candidate into Congress in his image or will his vacancy result in a more conservative candidate like Utah\u2019s other senator, Mike Lee (R-UT), a key Trump ally.<\/p>\n<p>Four candidates are competing for the open seat. Rep. John Curtis (R-UT), who represents the 3rd Congressional District, is considered the favorite heading into the primary on Tuesday, according to recent polling <a href=\"https:\/\/projects.fivethirtyeight.com\/polls\/senate\/2024\/utah\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>averages<\/a>. The Utah congressman is also receiving the most fundraising, pulling in just under $970,000 between April 8 and June 5, according to recent campaign finance disclosures. Curtis is the only candidate who has not endorsed Trump\u2019s reelection bid directly, but he has pledged to support the party\u2019s nominee. <\/p>\n<p>Curtis will face Riverton Mayor <a href=\"https:\/\/trentstaggs.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Trent Staggs<\/a>, whom Trump endorsed shortly before the Utah GOP convention in April, which selected the mayor as its nominee to replace Romney. While the endorsement carried Staggs through convention with more than two-thirds of delegate votes, that support may not translate to success at the ballot box. Staggs has struggled to gain traction in the polls and to fundraise. Campaign finance disclosures showed Staggs raised $260,000 in the last quarter, significantly less than Curtis. <\/p>\n<p>At the end of an hourlong debate earlier this month, Staggs<a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/3037887\/utah-gop-congressman-john-curtis-accused-insider-trading-on-air\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title> levied <\/a>an accusation of insider trading against Curtis, which generated attention. Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson and businessman Jason Walton are also running in the primary. Wilson only raised $27,000 in the last quarter, while Walton raised $36,000. The winner of this race will face Democrat Caroline Gleich, a professional skier. <\/p>\n<h2>Utah\u2019s House races<\/h2>\n<p>Rep. Blake Moore (R-UT) is seeking a third term in the state\u2019s 1st Congressional District and will face political newcomer Paul Miller. Miller, an electrician, won over half of the delegates at the GOP nominating convention in April. The winner of this race will face Democrat Bill Campbell in the November election.<\/p>\n<p>There are interesting dynamics at play in the race for Utah\u2019s 2nd Congressional District after Trump endorsed incumbent Rep. Celeste Maloy (R-UT) earlier this week, less than two months after Lee endorsed her opponent, Colby Jenkins. Maloy is running for her first real term after winning a primary for a special election to replace Rep. Chris Stewart (R-UT), her former boss.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCongresswoman Celeste Maloy is a great advocate for the wonderful people of Utah\u2019s 2nd Congressional District!\u201d Trump said in a <a href=\"https:\/\/truthsocial.com\/@realDonaldTrump\/posts\/112633829035690827\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>post<\/a> on his Truth Social account. \u201cCeleste is fighting to Secure the Border, Create Jobs, Restore American Energy Independence, Support our Military\/Veterans, Defend Religious Liberty, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment. Celeste Maloy has my Complete and Total Endorsement!\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Trump\u2019s endorsement power will be put to the test now that he\u2019s wading into the race after Lee, an outspoken Trump ally, already went all in for Jenkins, a businessman and a military veteran. Lee has toured the state with the former Green Beret and has helped him secure endorsements. <\/p>\n<p>The Utah senator has pointed to Maloy\u2019s vote in favor of the 2024 government funding bill and her vote to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act as the reason he endorsed her opponent. Jenkins beat Maloy 57% to 43% in the state GOP convention. However, Maloy still has a major fundraising advantage. The winner will face Democrat Nathaniel Woodward in November.<\/p>\n<p>Trump has not made an endorsement in this race to replace Curtis, but there are five Republicans vying for the nomination to represent Utah\u2019s 3rd Congressional District, which includes Park City and the winter resort cities of Provo and Moab. <\/p>\n<p>State Sen. Mike Kennedy faces state Auditor John Dougall, business owner Case Lawrence, Roosevelt Mayor J.R. Bird, and attorney Stewart Peay. <\/p>\n<p>Dougall has been the only candidate in this race willing to criticize the former president and even has a billboard that says, \u201cMAINSTREAM NOT MAGA.\u201d Peay, who has Romney\u2019s endorsement, has attempted to sidestep questions about whether he supports the former president.<\/p>\n<p> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Kennedy has raised the most money in the last quarter, raising under $90,000, with $208,000 cash on hand, according to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/cbs-slammed-for-smearing-ron-desantis-on-60-minutes-one-of-the-more-blatant-political-hatchet-jobs\/\" title=\"CBS Slammed For Smearing Ron DeSantis On \u201860 Minutes\u2019: \u2018One Of The More Blatant Political Hatchet Jobs\u2019\">campaign finance records<\/a>. Peay raised the second most in the field with $82,000 and $108,000 on hand. Bird reported $27,000, with $148,000 in cash on hand, and Dougall raised $11,000 and has $35,000 in the bank. The winner will face Democrat Glenn J. Wright.<\/p>\n<p>Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT) is running unopposed in this district. Owens will face Democrat Katrina Fallick-Wang in November.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Utah voters will participate in primary races this week, assessing former President Donald Trump&#8217;s sway in the state. Trump&#8217;s electoral showings in Utah have been underwhelming compared to standard Republican outcomes. In 2016, he garnered 45.5% of the vote, competing against an independent conservative<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2657,"featured_media":2282409,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/AP24173584266194-scaled-1024x562.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[32371,32372,32370,32369,32076],"class_list":["post-2282408","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-election-analysis","tag-political-trends","tag-trump-influence","tag-utah-primary-elections","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/06\/AP24173584266194-scaled-1024x562.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2282408","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2657"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2282408"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2282408\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2282409"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2282408"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2282408"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2282408"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}