The Utah Republican Party selected Trent Staggs to replace Mitt Romney in the U.S. Senate, following a strong endorsement from former President Donald Trump. Staggs will face other contenders such as U.S. Rep. John Curtis and former Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson in the June 25 GOP primary. While the endorsement helped Staggs secure the nomination, it remains to be seen how it will impact his performance in the primary and general election. Historically, Republican Party nominations have had little influence on Utah voters.
Staggs, a 49-year-old mayor from Riverton, positioned himself as a strong supporter of Trump with promises to combat inflation, boost the economy, and secure the U.S.-Mexico border. He entered the Senate race prior to Romney’s announcement of not seeking reelection, criticizing Romney as a moderate who has challenged Trump and other Republican leaders. Despite Trump’s backing, Staggs faces tough competition from more moderate candidates like Curtis, who has a history of working across the aisle on issues like climate change. Wilson, a Trump supporter who did not receive an endorsement, has pledged to be a “conservative fighter” in Congress.
Nearly 4,000 delegates at the convention overwhelmingly supported “convention-only” candidates like Staggs and state Rep. Phil Lyman, who earned the party’s gubernatorial nomination over incumbent Gov. Spencer Cox for not collecting signatures. The failure to collect signatures is viewed as circumventing the convention process by many delegates. The convention highlighted the divide between the party’s far-right and moderate factions, with delegates booing moderates like Cox and Curtis. Cox, who has qualified for the primary, remains a likely favorite despite facing a challenge from Lyman, known for a controversial protest against federal land closures.
The primary elections will test Trump’s popularity in Utah, a state that has been reluctant to fully embrace the former president. The contest will showcase the ongoing battle between Trump supporters and moderate Republicans, who are losing their most prominent figure with Romney’s departure. The election will be a key indicator of the state’s political climate as Trump faces legal challenges and attempts to make a return to the White House. Staggs’ strategy of aligning with Trump and his far-right base is likely to face scrutiny from voters in a state where Republican nominations have historically had little impact on electoral outcomes.
The primary election in June will feature a showdown between candidates like Staggs, Curtis, and Wilson, as they vie for the Republican nomination. Trump’s endorsement of Staggs will be put to the test in a state where the former president has not always enjoyed widespread support. The outcome of the primary will determine which candidate will face Democrat Caroline Gleich in the November general election. Regardless of the result, the race for Romney’s Senate seat in Utah will be closely watched as a barometer of political trends within the state and the broader Republican Party.
