(ReliableNews.org) – Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) was once the most popular Republican in the country. In 2012, he won the party’s nomination for president but lost against incumbent President Barack Obama. He went on to run for the Senate several years later and is wrapping up his first and only term. The race to replace him is heating up.
On June 25, Utah Republicans headed to the ballot box to vote for the GOP nominee to replace Romney. Trump endorsed Trent Staggs in the race. The conservative also won the endorsement of the state Republican Party at the convention in April. Although he received important nods, he wasn’t the frontrunner in the race.
US Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) was viewed as the candidate in the best position to win the race. He led most of the polling in the weeks before primary day. The congressman is the longest-serving member of Utah’s House delegation. The delegation hasn’t been as eager to endorse Trump’s brash style. About half of Utah’s residents are deeply religious and belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Trump’s comments about refugees and other migrants haven’t landed with them the way they have with other Conservatives.
Curtis was able to get on the ballot by gathering signatures. The method was created as a way to get moderate candidates on the ballot because the state’s convention tends to lean much further right. The congressman wants to bring Republicans to the table to solve problems like climate change.
Staggs called Curtis a Democrat who was posing as a Republican. He also told supporters he believed the congressman would be another Sen. Romney. He said he didn’t want someone else in office who didn’t have a good relationship with Trump.
The primary winner will face off against Caroline Gleich. She received 92% in the Democratic primary race and defeated two other candidates.
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