Republicans were forced into primaries at the state convention

SALT LAKE CITY — A number of challengers to sitting Republicans forced primaries during Saturday’s Republican state nominating convention, which was a protracted and occasionally acrimonious process that drew criticism from some well-known party figures.

Thousands of delegates were jammed into the expo hall at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City just after dawn, creating long registration lines that some delegates had to wait hours to get through. The official proceedings were further delayed by several disputes over voting procedures and party rules, and the party went well beyond its scheduled end time of 6 p.m. M. — adjourning as the party’s agreement to use the convention center expired, just before midnight.

Three well-known current officials — Gov. Representative Spencer Cox. Senator Celeste Maloy and Rep. Blake Moore — despite losing to opponents, will still go on to the primary elections. In Cox’s case, his convention appearance was essentially pointless because he had already gathered the necessary signatures to be eligible, and Maloy just missed being unseated by Sen.-endorsed rebel Colby Jenkins. Michael Lee.

The two will compete in the primary after Moore was also defeated by Paul Miller, the opposition, during the convention.

Despite the fact that state Rep. Phil Lyman on Saturday, sitting governors of Utah have a track record of losing to challengers at conventions before easily winning reelection in the primary. Before Gov. In 2016, Gary Herbert won more than 72% of the primary vote, but he only received 44% of the delegates’ votes.

Since a few candidates in each of the two most prominent contests—for the open Senate and 3rd Congressional District seats—had already made it to the primary, those contests also concluded without a definitive outcome.

Trent Staggs is boosted by Trump’s endorsement.

The campaign of former President Donald Trump, the presumed presidential nominee and de facto leader of the Republican party, gave senator and mayor of Riverton, Trent Staggs, a boost.

Before locking up the delegate vote, which ended just after midnight, Staggs most likely benefited from that endorsement. The campaigns of Carolyn Phippen, former House Speaker Brad Wilson, businessman Jason Walton, and current Representative for the 3rd Congressional District all ended with Staggs’ convention victory. However, the mayor will now face three opponents in a GOP primary. John Curtis is already eligible.

On Saturday morning, Trump endorsed Staggs on social media, endorsing the self-described “America First” contender for the seat that Sen. The Mitt Romney.

Truman wrote on Truth Social, “Trent Staggs is 100 percent MAGA, and is running to fill The Mitt Romney, a Total Loser, Seat as the next Senator from the Great State of Utah!”. “A Highly Successful Entrepreneur, Trent has led Riverton brilliantly as Mayor for the past six years. He understands how to grow the economy, secure the border, stop inflation, and create jobs,” he wrote in part.

Celeste Maloy barely makes it.

The newly elected congresswoman from Utah barely received enough delegates’ votes to keep her seat and move on to the primary in June.

The combat veteran Colby Jenkins, the opponent, received 57.85 percent of the vote, while Maloy, who is running for her first full term in Congress, received 43.15 percent.

Sen. John McCain had provided Jenkins with a prominent endorsement. Jenkins failed to remove Maloy from the convention despite Mike Lee joining him on stage on Saturday. Rather, they will compete in the primary.

“I don’t take it for granted, and I consider the privilege of representing you sacred,” declared Maloy, the candidate who defeated former Representative in the special election held last year. Chris Stewart at the time of his congressional resignation. For this reason, I won’t sign off on anything. I refuse to submit to anybody. I will not submit to a senator, the media, the party leadership, or any other authority figure. ****.

Jenkins, a St. George local who serves as a colonel in the United States and works for a telecom company. S. a “warrior” who will have an impact in Washington, D.C., the Army Reserve. Lee emphasized Jenkins’s experience as a Green Beret and West Point alumnus.

Maloy received criticism from Jenkins during his speech for her support of an omnibus spending bill and the reauthorization of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. While pleading for support, he also made reference to his time in the military.

“If I’m lucky enough to be sent to the congressional battlefield at some point, I hope that God will protect me once more to defend our Constitution and our country,” Jenkins stated.

Maloy was accompanied on stage by Representative from the 4th District, while Lee backed Jenkins. Additionally well-liked by GOP delegates is Burgess Owens. After the primary, Owens advanced to the general election without opposition.

principal field set for governors.

After a sifting of the field on Saturday afternoon, Lyman and incumbent Cox will face off in the Republican primary for governor.

As soon as Cox stepped onto the stage to make his candidacy speech, delegates at the convention booed him loudly.

Over the jeers, Cox said, “I love you guys,” and then enumerated several achievements from his first term in office. Among other conservative priorities, he said of the opposition, “Maybe you hate that I signed the most pro-life legislation in Utah history.”.

He went on, “But maybe you just hate that I don’t hate enough.”.

With thunderous cheers as he entered the stage, Lyman mentioned his 10-day jail sentence for organizing an unlawful ATV demonstration on federally protected territory. Later, then-President Trump pardoned Lyman.

“We all know what it’s like to be imprisoned,” he stated, alluding to the COVID-19 pandemic, before vehemently denouncing illegal immigration and demanding an end to the process of collecting signatures in order to be placed on the ballot.

In the initial round of voting, Carson Jorgensen, Scott Robbins, and Sylvia Miera-Fisk were disqualified from the race. Lyman won with 67 points and 5 percent of the delegate vote in the second round, which saw Cox and Lyman advance.

Cox and Lyman will compete in a two-person race for the GOP nomination because Cox met the requirements to participate in the primary on June 25 by collecting signatures.

Republicans criticize others for acting impolitely.

Some Republicans criticized the lack of decorum during the increasingly heated convention on Saturday, which included loud outbursts from delegates during the governor’s speech.

Running mate to Cox, Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson wrote that the convention is “no longer a family friendly environment” in a post on the social media site X. “.

Henderson stated, “I’m mortified by the vulgarity and viciousness my young nieces were exposed to by the supporters of another gubernatorial campaign.”. “It’s obviously not for kids anymore, and it’s embarrassing and sad.”. “.

In addition, Holly Richardson, the editor of Utah Policy and a former Republican state legislator, shared her thoughts about the atmosphere of this year’s convention on twitter.

“I’ve attended conventions for the past 22 years. The worst I’ve ever seen is this, Richardson wrote. “Lack of decorum, disrespect, and rage. I’ve sat next to some startled and appalled first-time delegates. Not surprisingly, they won’t run for office again. “.

From his own account on X, Cox reposted posts from both Henderson and Richardson.

Associated.

On Saturday, the Utah Forward Party held its first convention following its formation last year, and the Utah Democratic Party held its nominating convention. During their convention last weekend, the United Utah Party advanced several candidates, including Michelle Quist for attorney general and Vaughn Cook for the 4th Congressional District.

Rep. The convention votes against Blake Moore.

Another incumbent who did not receive a delegates’ vote but was able to get himself on the primary ballot by gathering signatures was Moore, a member of the House Republican leadership. In the first round of voting, Moore defeated two opponents, but in the subsequent round, Paul Miller garnered almost half of the vote.

Utah Republican Party outcomes:.

first voting round in the Senate:.

Trent Staggs: 42.64 percent of points.

Rep. Point seven percent for John Curtis.

Carolyn Phippen: 13.06 percentage points.

Brad Wilson scored 766.9%.

Jason Walton: 71.12% of points.

Hatch, Brent Orrin: 34.4 percent.

Chandler Tanner: 261.61%.

Josh Randall: 1 point, 49% (eliminated).

Brian Earl Jenkins: 0 points, 16 percent (eliminated).

Jeremy Lewis Friedbaum: 0 points, 13% (eliminated).

second voting round in the Senate:.

Trent Staggs: 51 / 68 = 100%.

Rep. 22.47 percent for John Curtis.

Carolyn Phippen: 11:71 percent.

Brad Wilson’s percentage is 55.56%.

Jason Walton: 45% of points scored.

Chandler Tanner: 2 points, 27 percent (eliminated).

1 point, 74%, went to Brent Orrin Hatch, who was eliminated.

Third-round voting in the Senate:.

Trent Staggs: 67.68 percent, 57 points.

With John Curtis, 24.67 percent.

Carolyn Phippen: 93% (eliminated).

Brad Wilson (4.86%): eliminated.

3 points, 46%, Jason Walton (eliminated).

The Senate’s last voting round:.

Trent Staggs’s score was 69/74%.

thirty-two percent for John Curtis.

With a resounding victory over the delegates, Staggs will go on to challenge Walton, Wilson, and Curtis, who all gathered signatures.

3rd Congressional District: preliminary voting results:.

Mike Kennedy: 38.59 percent.

Bird JR: 17 points, 98%.

Eighteen percent is John Dougall.

Zac Wilson: 78.89 percent.

7.89% for Kathryn Dahlin.

7:26 percent for Stewart Peay.

Chris Herrod’s percentage is 60.73%.

50.05 percent for Case Lawrence (eliminated).

Bovo, the lucky one (out): 0 percent.

Third Congressional District, voting round two:.

Mike Kennedy: 44%.

Bird JR: twenty percent.

Zac Wilson scored nineteen points (19%).

Kathryn Dahlin: 8.22 percent.

John Dougall: 7.03 percent.

Stewart Peay: 60.7 percent.

Chris Herrod (4 points, 86 percent) was eliminated.

Third-round voting in the 3rd Congressional District:.

52.39 percent for Mike Kennedy.

JR Bird: 19.13 percent.

Zac Wilson: 96.8% of the total.

86.68% is Kathryn Dahlin.

Stewart Peay: 52.33%.

John Dougall: 4.89 percent (eliminated).

Third Congressional District, vote counted in round four:.

53.28 percent for Mike Kennedy.

18 points, 58 percent, for Zac Wilson.

14:35 percent for JR Bird.

8 points and 12 percent went to Kathryn Dahlin (eliminated).

Stewart Peay (3 points, 67 percent): eliminated.

Fifth voting round, 3rd Congressional District:.

Mike Kennedy: fifty-nine percent.

Zac Wilson scored 25 points and 52 percent.

14:9 percent for JR Bird (eliminated).

last round of voting for the 3rd Congressional District:.

61.51 percent for Mike Kennedy.

Zac Wilson: 38/49 percent (eliminated).

Many of the competitors gave Zac Wilson, the chairman of the Utah Young Republicans, support as they were eliminated, but it wasn’t enough to keep him from losing by a small margin in the sixth and final round of voting. Kennedy will face off against Bird, Lawrence, Peay, and Dougall in a primary election after obtaining enough signatures.

Congress District No. 2:.

Colby Jenkins: 56.85 percent.

Rep. Celeste Maloy scored 43 points, or 15%.

They both move on to the primary in June.

First round of voting in the First Congressional District:.

Rep. Blake Moore scored 45.29%.

Paul Miller: 33.56 percent.

Derek Draper: 21:15 percent (eliminated).

First Congressional District, last voting round:.

Paul Miller’s percentage is 54.86.

Rep. Blake Moore: 14 percent, 45 points.

Since neither Moore nor Miller received 60% of the delegates needed to win, they will both compete in the GOP primary in June.

In the initial voting round, governor:.

Phil Lyman scored 44% with 24 points.

Gov. Spencer Cox scored 28.86 percent.

Eliminated Carson Jorgensen: 25 points, 80 percent.

0:56 for Scott Robbins (eliminated).

Sylvia Miera-Fisk: 0:53 percent (eliminated).

Finally, the voting for the governor:.

Phil Lyman: 67.54 percent.

Gov. Spencer Cox: 32.46 percent.

In the initial voting round, Scott Robbins, Carson Jorgensen, and Sylvia Miera-Fisk were eliminated. With Cox’s automatic qualification for the primary, Lyman will face competition from two candidates.

Attorney general, preliminary vote:.

Frank Mylar’s percentage is 42.83.

Rachel Terry’s percentage is 31.47%.

Derek Brown: 16 points/7 percent (eliminated).

Trent Christensen: 9% (eliminated).

Attorney general, last voting round:.

Frank Mylar: 76 percent, 59 points.

40 points, 24 percent, Rachel Terry.

Frank Mylar narrowly missed the 60 percent mark to become the party’s nominee, meaning that both Rachel Terry and Mylar will go to a primary. Derek Brown did not make it through the first round of voting, but he has gathered enough signatures to be eligible for the primary. Trent Christensen is no longer in the race after being disqualified in the first round of voting.

State auditor:.

Ricky Hatch: 51.31 percent.

Tina Cannon’s score is 48/69.

Both contenders will be eligible for a Republican primary even though they did not gather enough signatures to be on the ballot for a primary and did not receive 60% of the delegates’ vote.

Democratic Party of Utah results:.

Additionally, on Saturday, the Utah Democratic Party held its nominating convention. Several candidates, including Rep. First Congressional District nominees are Bill Campbell, second Congressional District nominee Brian Adams, third Congressional District nominee Glenn Wright, and governor Brian King. State auditor Catherine Voutaz and treasurer Neil Hansen are also supported.

Caroline Gleich qualified for the U.S. general election in contests. s. In the Senate race, Katrina Fallick-Wang emerged victorious in the race for the nomination from the 4th Congressional District, and Rudy Bautista is the Democratic nominee for Attorney General.

Here are all of the results from Saturday’s main Democratic races:.

Senate:.

Caroline Gleich received 795 votes.

Fetzer-Hamblin, Laird: 48 votes.

16 votes for Archie Williams III.

District Four of Congress:.

Fallick-Wang, Katrina: 117 votes.

Jonathan Lopez, with 59 ballots.

Attorney General of Utah:.