Mike Kennedy won the Republican nomination for Utah’s 3rd Congressional District on Tuesday. Kennedy is the immediate favorite to win the seat in November after beating fellow Republicans JR Bird, John Dougall, Case Lawrence, and Stewart Peay in a packed primary pool. Kennedy, a state senator, had previously won the party’s nomination for the seat in April, facing challenges from other candidates who gathered signatures to be on the ballot. Kennedy received endorsements from Sen. Mike Lee, who praised his ability to fight against the Uniparty and help get the country back on track.
The primary race in Utah’s 3rd Congressional District featured a diverse group of candidates. Bird, a mayor, highlighted his experience in running a small town and emphasized the importance of the energy sector and agriculture. Dougall, the state auditor, ran as an anti-MAGA candidate, criticizing some GOP legislation and former President Trump. He questioned the loyalty of officials who endorsed Trump after January 6th and framed himself as a “mainstream, not MAGA” candidate. Other candidates, including Peay and Lawrence, focused on issues like military funding to Ukraine and abortion, calling for Congress to facilitate weapons to Ukraine.
Kennedy will now face Democrat Glenn Wright in the November election. The Republican is favored to win comfortably in a district that has consistently voted Republican since 1997. In other parts of Utah, Republican Gov. Spencer Cox, who is a vocal Trump critic, successfully prevailed in a primary challenge against Phil Lyman, another candidate who has expressed doubt about the 2020 election results. The ongoing primary races in New York, Colorado, and Utah have been closely watched as “Squad” member faces possible ouster from Congress.
The primary candidates in Utah’s 3rd Congressional District differed in their stances on key issues like military funding to Ukraine and abortion. While Peay, Dougall, and Lawrence advocated for sending weapons to Ukraine to combat the Russian invasion, Bird and Kennedy argued against it, proposing stronger sanctions and the seizure of Russian assets as alternative measures. The candidates also split on the issue of whether the federal government should explicitly ban abortion. These debates showcased the varying viewpoints within the Republican Party in Utah.
Kennedy’s victory in the Republican primary positions him as the frontrunner in the upcoming congressional election. With endorsements from prominent figures like Sen. Mike Lee, Kennedy’s campaign has gained momentum, positioning him as a strong candidate to replace outgoing Rep. John Curtis, who is running for U.S. Senate. Kennedy’s platform emphasizes taking on the Uniparty and steering the country back on track. His performance in the November election against Democrat Glenn Wright will be closely watched as the Republican Party looks to maintain control of Utah’s 3rd Congressional District.
In conclusion, Mike Kennedy’s win in the Utah Republican primary for the 3rd Congressional District sets the stage for a competitive election in November. With the GOP historically dominating the district, Kennedy is well-positioned to secure the seat. The diverse range of candidates in the primary highlighted differing views on key issues facing the nation, from military funding to abortion. Kennedy’s endorsements and campaign platform have positioned him as a strong candidate to succeed Rep. John Curtis. The outcome of the November election will have broader implications for the future direction of the district and the Republican Party in Utah.
