The2018 United States Senate election in Utah took place on November 6, 2018, to elect a member of theUnited States Senate to represent the State ofUtah , concurrently withother elections to the United States Senate,elections to theUnited States House of Representatives , and variousstate andlocal elections . The primaries took place on June 26.[ 1]
IncumbentRepublican senatorOrrin Hatch announced in January 2018 that he would retire and not seek reelection to an eighth term, making this the first open seat U.S. Senate election in Utah since1992 and the first in this seat since1905 . This was the first Senate election since 1964 thatGrand County voted Democratic.
The general election was won byMitt Romney , who had been the Republican nominee forpresident in2012 and previously was the 70thgovernor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007. Romney became only the third person in American history to be elected governor and U.S. senator in different states, and the first former major party presidential nominee to run for a new office sinceWalter Mondale in2002 .[ 2]
Utah's 2018 U.S. Senate candidates had dual routes toward placement on theprimary election ballot: (1) eligibility via win or second-place showings at a convention of delegates selected from party localcaucuses ; and/or (2) eligibility via obtaining sufficientpetition signatures.
Taking the traditional route, the top two candidates for the U.S. Senate at any of theparty state conventions (to be held in the latter part of April, 2018) would be placed on the June 26 primary election ballot. Also, any candidate who collected 28,000 ballot-access petition signatures would be placed on the primary ballot.
If no competitor achieved the above-mentioned alternate access to the primary ballot through collected signatures and a convention winner achieved sixty-percent of delegate votes, this candidate straightaway received his or her party's nomination solely via the older-style caucuses-convention system. Otherwise, a candidate would be nominated through receiving a plurality of votes in the primary election and thereby advance to the November general election.
IncumbentOrrin Hatch did not seek reelection.[ 3]
Incumbent Republican U.S. SenatorOrrin Hatch was reelected to a seventh term in 2012. During his 2012 reelection campaign, he had pledged that if he were elected, it would be his last term.[ 4] [ 5] [ 6] [ 7] [ 8] Mitt Romney decided to run.[ 9] Public Policy Polling found only 19% of voters wanted Hatch to run in 2018, while 71% wanted him to retire.[ 10] [ 11] [ 3]
Romney campaigning Kennedy campaigning People voting in the Republican primary Eliminated in the primary election [ edit ] Eliminated at convention [ edit ] Loy Brunson Alicia Colvin[ 14] Stoney Fonua, tax accountant[ 14] Chris Forbush, attorney and candidate for theNevada State Assembly in 2016[ 15] Jeremy Friedbaum[ 14] Timothy Adrian Jimenez, engineer[ 16] Joshua Lee Larry Michael Meyers, attorney[ 17] Gayle Painter[ 14] Samuel Parker[ 14] Larry Meyers (eliminated at convention)
State Republican Convention results, 2018 Candidate First ballot Pct. Second ballot Pct. Mike Kennedy 1,354 40.69% 1,642 50.88% Mitt Romney 1,539 46.24% 1,585 49.12% Larry Meyers 163 4.90% Eliminated Samuel Parker 122 3.67% Eliminated Timothy Jiminez 100 3.01% Eliminated Alicia Colvin 29 0.87% Eliminated Stoney Fonua 7 0.21% Eliminated Loy Brunson 4 0.12% Eliminated Joshua Lee 2 0.06% Eliminated Chris Forbush 0 0% Eliminated Gayle Painter 0 0% Eliminated Total 3,328 100.00% 3,227 100.00%
Host Date Link(s) Participants Mitt Mike KBYU-TV May 29, 2018 [ 26] Invited Invited
Hypothetical polling
with Orrin Hatch
Poll source Date(s) Sample Margin Orrin JonHuntsman Jr. Undecided Dan Jones & Associates [ 29] January 9–16, 2017 605 ± 4.0% 21% 62% 16%
Mitt Romney
U.S. executive branch officials U.S. senators U.S. representatives U.S. governors Statewide officeholders Individuals Newspapers and magazines Mike Kennedy
State legislators Jake Anderegg , state senator[ 53] Stewart Barlow , state representative[ 53] Kay Christofferson , state representative[ 53] Kim Coleman , state representative[ 53] Francis Gibson , state representative[ 53] Brian Greene , state representative[ 53] Dan McCay , state representative[ 53] Michael Noel , state representative[ 54] Paul Ray , state representative[ 53] Marc Roberts , state representative[ 53] Mike Schultz , state representative[ 53] Keven Stratton , state representative[ 53] Christine Watkins , state representative[ 54] Individuals Results by county: Eliminated at convention [ edit ] Mitchell Kent Vice, businessman[ 60] Jenny Wilson
U.S. representatives Statewide and local politicians Individuals Craig Bowden, veteran and businessman[ 70] Independent American Party [ edit ] Ryan Daniel Jackson (I, write-in) Abe Korb (I, write-in)[ 71] Caleb Dan Reeve (I, write-in)[ 71] Date Host Moderator Link(s) Participants Key: P Participant A Absent N Non-invitee I Invitee W Withdrawn Mitt Jenny October 9, 2018 Utah Debate Commission Bruce Lindsay [ 73] P P
^Highest rating given
Mitt Romney (R)
U.S. executive branch officials U.S. senators U.S. representatives U.S. governors Statewide officeholders State legislators Individuals Newspapers and magazines Jenny Wilson (D)
U.S. representatives Statewide and local politicians Labor unions Organizations Graphical summary
^ The party affiliations of candidates were not described in the question wording as a result of an oversight by the pollster. Hypothetical polling
Poll source Date(s) Sample Margin Mitt Jenny Craig Dan Mitchell Larry Alicia Jay L'Capi Timothy Other Undecided Dan Jones & Associates [ 93] February 9–16, 2018 609 ± 4.0% 60% 14% 3% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 0% 0% 2% 14%
with Mike Kennedy
Poll source Date(s) Sample Margin Mike Jenny Undecided Dan Jones & Associates [ 27] June 11–18, 2018 654 ± 3.9% 43% 28% 29%
with Orrin Hatch
Poll source Date(s) Sample Margin Orrin Evan Generic Other Undecided JMC Analytics [ 94] March 18–March 20, 2017 625 ± 3.9% 29% 33% 11% 10% 17%
with Chris Stewart
Poll source Date(s) Sample Margin Chris Jenny Undecided Dan Jones & Associates [ 92] August 30 – September 5, 2017 608 ± 4.0% 34% 30% 36%
with Matt Holland
Poll source Date(s) Sample Margin Matt Jenny Undecided Dan Jones & Associates [ 92] August 30 – September 5, 2017 608 ± 4.0% 23% 30% 47%
State Senate district results State House district results Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic [ edit ] By congressional district [ edit ] Romney won all four congressional districts, including one that elected a Democrat.[ 96]
^ Wood, Benjamin (June 26, 2018)."Mitt Romney claims GOP nomination in Utah's U.S. Senate race" .The Salt Lake Tribune . RetrievedJune 26, 2018 . ^ "3 decades of presidential losers: Where are they now?" .theweek.com . December 26, 2012. RetrievedSeptember 27, 2020 .^a b Martin, Jonathan (January 2, 2018)."Orrin Hatch to Retire from Senate, Opening Path for Mitt Romney" .The New York Times . RetrievedJanuary 2, 2018 . ^ Lederman, Josh (March 14, 2012)."Hatch will retire in 2018 if he wins reelection" .The Hill . RetrievedOctober 20, 2016 . ^ Romboy, Dennis (November 6, 2014)."Sen. Orrin Hatch leaves door ajar for run in 2018" .Deseret News . RetrievedOctober 20, 2016 . ^ Rolly, Paul (September 23, 2016)."When Hatch said he wouldn't run again, he was just kidding" .The Salt Lake Tribune . RetrievedOctober 20, 2016 . ^ Everett, Burgess; Palmer, Anna (October 19, 2016)."Hatch may reverse himself and run in 2018" .Politico . RetrievedOctober 20, 2016 . ^a b Raju, Manu (March 9, 2017)."First on CNN: After lobbying from Trump, Orrin Hatch plans to run again" .CNN . RetrievedMarch 11, 2017 . ^ Prignano, Christina (March 31, 2017)."Utah Senator says he may forgo '18 run if Mitt Romney runs for his seat" .The Boston Globe . RetrievedApril 2, 2017 . ^ Jensen, Tom (August 24, 2016)."Utah Ready for Hatch to Move On; More Progressive Than You Might Think" .Public Policy Polling . RetrievedOctober 20, 2016 . ^ Linskey, Annie (October 27, 2017)."A Hatch retirement — and a Romney Senate run — could be inching closer to reality" .The Boston Globe . RetrievedJanuary 2, 2018 . ^ "Mitt Romney is officially running for U.S. Senate" .USA Today ^ McKenzie Stauffer; Heidi Hatch (June 26, 2018)."Mitt Romney wins against Mike Kennedy, Rep. Curtis defeats Herrod for second time" .KUTV.com . RetrievedJuly 15, 2018 . ^a b c d e Cathcart, Preston (March 14, 2018)."Candidates file for congressional, Utah legislative races" .Deseret News . RetrievedMarch 15, 2018 . ^ "Op-ed: It's time to invite Sen. Orrin Hatch to come home" .DeseretNews.com . August 7, 2017. Archived fromthe original on August 9, 2017. RetrievedAugust 22, 2017 .^ "Tooelean wants to capture U.S. Senate seat" . RetrievedFebruary 11, 2018 .^ "St. George attorney announces run for GOP US Senate nomination" .StGeorgeUtah.com . January 6, 2018. RetrievedJanuary 10, 2018 .^ Bowman, Bridget (April 28, 2017)."Rob Bishop Discounts Prospect of Senate Run" .Roll Call . RetrievedApril 30, 2017 . ^ Viebeck, Elise (April 19, 2017)."Chaffetz will leave behind Oversight panel he used to investigate Obama White House" .Washington Post . RetrievedApril 19, 2017 . ^a b Rogin, Josh (November 8, 2016)."What is Evan McMullin's endgame?" .The Washington Post . RetrievedNovember 11, 2016 . ^a b c "Mia Love on Twitter" .^ Samuels, Brett (November 20, 2017)."Prominent conservative passes on Utah Senate bid" .The Hill . ^ Burr, Thomas; Canham, Matt (November 16, 2016)."Sen. Orrin Hatch considers re-election run, Evan McMullin won't rule out his own bid" .The Salt Lake Tribune . RetrievedDecember 4, 2016 . ^ Weaver, Jennifer (April 16, 2018)."Ammon Bundy endorses Meyers for U.S. Senate citing his support of limited government" .KUTV . RetrievedApril 16, 2018 . ^ Romboy, Dennis (April 6, 2018)."Former GOP gubernatorial candidate endorses Larry Myers for U.S. Senate" .Deseret News . RetrievedApril 7, 2018 . ^ "- YouTube" .YouTube ^a b Dan Jones & Associates ^ Dan Jones & Associates ^ Dan Jones & Associates ^a b "Romney falls short in Utah GOP convention, forced into primary for Senate seat" .Politico ^a b Donald J. Trump [@realdonaldtrump] (February 19, 2018).".@MittRomney has announced he is running for the Senate from the wonderful State of Utah. He will make a great Senator and worthy successor to @OrrinHatch, and has my full support and endorsement!" (Tweet ).Archived from the original on December 16, 2020. RetrievedMay 7, 2021 – viaTwitter .^a b "Jeff Flake wants Mitt Romney to run for U.S. Senate in Utah" .NBC News ^a b "Lindsey Graham on Twitter" .^a b "ChuckGrassley on Twitter" .^a b Kaczynski, Andrew."Sen. Orrin Hatch: Romney will 'have my support' if he runs for Senate" . CNN. ^a b "John McCain on Twitter" .^a b "Mitch McConnell: "We're all behind" Mitt Romney" .CBS News ^a b "Romney, favored in Senate bid, could take on outsized role" . February 18, 2018.^a b "Richard Shelby on Mitt Romney for U.S. Senate: 'I hope he will run - I would encourage him to run' - Yellowhammer News - Yellowhammer News" .yellowhammernews.com . January 7, 2018.^a b "Jason Chaffetz Makes Comical Defense of Romney's Utah Senate Run: 'He's Got a Utah Driver's License' .www.mediaite.com .^a b "Paul Ryan on Twitter" .^a b Beavers, Olivia (January 15, 2018)."Jeb Bush backs Romney for Utah Senate run" . ^a b "Luis Fortuño on Twitter" .^a b "Utah Gov. Herbert says Romney should run for the Senate" .^a b "Spencer Cox on Twitter" .^a b "Jon Huntsman Sr. backs Mitt Romney for Senate, says he'd represent Utah 'very, very well' .^a b McMullin, Evan."Thank you for your service to our state and country, Senator Hatch. In this seat, we must have a leader prepared to meet the challenges of our day and our future. I hope that leader will be @MittRomney" . ^a b Milbank, Dana (December 29, 2017)."Opinion - Run, Mitt, run" – via www.washingtonpost.com. ^a b "Wall Street, big business start backing Mitt Romney's Senate bid as GOP establishment seeks stronger leadership in Congress" .CNBC ^a b c d "Romney for Senate" .National Review ^a b "Bay State can only wish Romney luck in a Utah run - Lowell Sun" . Archived fromthe original on February 20, 2018. RetrievedFebruary 19, 2018 .^a b "Tribune Editorial: Mitt Romney should be a savior for Republicans and run for Senate" .^a b c d e f g h i j k "Endorsements | Mike Kennedy for US Senate" .www.kennedyforutah.com . Archived fromthe original on June 18, 2018. RetrievedJune 17, 2018 .^a b Romboy, Dennis (June 8, 2018)."Not all lawmakers on candidate Mike Kennedy's endorsement list actually back him" .DeseretNews.com . Archived fromthe original on October 5, 2019. RetrievedJune 17, 2018 . ^ "Michael Johns on Twitter" .Twitter .^ Dr. Mike Kennedy."ENDORSEMENT ALERT🚨Robert C. Oaks (Ret.) 4 Star General, USAF. Honorary Chairman for 2016 @realDonaldTrump campaign in Utah" .Twitter . ^ YouTube ^ "United States Senate primary election in Utah, 2018" (PDF) . Office of the Utah Lieutenant Governor. Archived fromthe original (PDF) on February 28, 2019. RetrievedJune 6, 2019 .^ Burr, Thomas (July 17, 2017)."SL County Councilwoman Wilson launches 2018 Senate bid, hoping to take on Orrin Hatch" .The Salt Lake Tribune . RetrievedJuly 17, 2017 . ^ Witham, Joseph (May 22, 2017)."Mitchell Vice joins 2 other Democrats vying for Hatch's Senate seat in 2018" .St. George News . RetrievedAugust 18, 2017 . ^ Schott, Bryan (April 12, 2017)."Another Democrat looking to knock off Hatch in 2018" .Utah Policy . RetrievedApril 12, 2017 . ^ "Thank You" .Danny Drew For U.S. Senate . Archived fromthe original on October 4, 2017. RetrievedOctober 2, 2017 .^ Tribune, Courtney Tanner The Salt Lake."Navajo candidate announces bid as Democrat for Hatch's seat" .The Salt Lake Tribune . RetrievedMay 17, 2017 . ^ Breiner, Andrew (June 21, 2017)."Navajo Candidate Drops Out of Race Against Hatch" .Roll Call . RetrievedJune 21, 2017 . ^ "Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams running for Congress | KSL.com" . RetrievedOctober 19, 2017 .^a b Meng, Grace.".@JennyWilsonUT is fighting to bring honest, fair, and results-focused leadership to Utah, and I can't wait to watch her ride the #BlueWave2018 to victory in November!" . ^a b Escamilla, Luz."Excited for @UtahDemocrats Caucus at Rose Park Elementary and proud to be a surrogate for our next US Senator @JennyWilsonUT" . ^ UT, Jenny Wilson for."Thank you for your support, @IronStache! 2018 is going to be a great year" . ^ "Mitchell Vice for United States Senate – Every American Thriving by Reinventing Politics" .votevice.com .^ Bernick, Bob (August 18, 2016)."Bishop Holds Vast Lead Over Clemens in Utah's 1st Congressional District" . Utah Policy. ^a b c d "2018 Candidate Filings - Lieutenant Governor's Office: Elections" .elections.utah.gov .^ "REED C." [permanent dead link ^ C-SPAN ^ "2018 Senate Race Ratings for October 26, 2018" .The Cook Political Report . RetrievedMarch 13, 2021 .^ "2018 Senate Ratings" .The Rothenberg Political Report . RetrievedMarch 13, 2021 .^ "2018 Crystal Ball Senate race ratings" .Sabato's Crystal Ball . RetrievedOctober 11, 2017 .^ "2018 Senate Power Rankings" .Fox News . RetrievedJuly 10, 2018 .^ "Key Races: Senate" . RetrievedJuly 15, 2018 .^ "Battle for the Senate 2018" . RetrievedJuly 15, 2018 .^ Mike Kennedy [@KennedyForUtah] (June 27, 2018)."As I told him last night, he will have my support and help" (Tweet ) – viaTwitter . ^ "Utah – Official UAW Endorsements" .uawendorsements.org . United Automobile Workers.^ "Utah AFL-CIO Election Endorsements" .utahaflcio.org . August 23, 2016. Archived fromthe original on July 6, 2018. RetrievedJuly 6, 2018 .^ "Utah Stonewall Democrats - 2018 Primary Election Endorsements" .www.utahstonewalldems.org . Archived fromthe original on July 6, 2018. RetrievedJuly 6, 2018 .^ University of Utah ^ Dan Jones & Associates ^ Tim Aalders (C) with 4%, Reed McCandless (IA) and Craig Bowden (L) with 2% ^ Lighthouse Research ^ Craig Bowden (L) and Reed McCandless (IA) with 3%, Tim Aalders (C) with 2%, other with 1% ^ University of Utah ^ Dan Jones & Associates ^a b Dan Jones & Associates ^a b c d Dan Jones & Associates ^ Dan Jones & Associates ^ JMC Analytics ^ "United States Senate general election in Utah, 2018" (PDF) . Office of the Utah Lieutenant Governor. Archived fromthe original (PDF) on April 16, 2021. RetrievedJune 6, 2019 .^ "DRA 2020" .Daves Redistricting . RetrievedAugust 19, 2024 .Official campaign websites
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