The 2018 United States Senate election in Utah took place on November 6, 2018, to elect a member of the
United States Senate to represent the State of
Utah , concurrently with
other elections to the United States Senate,
elections to the
United States House of Representatives , and various
state and
local elections . The primaries took place on June 26.
[1]
Incumbent
Republican senator
Orrin 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 since
1992 and the first in this seat since
1905 . The general election was won by
Mitt Romney , who had been the Republican nominee for
president in
2012 and previously was the 70th
Governor 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 since
Walter Mondale in
2002 .
[2]
Background
Process
Utah's 2018 U.S. Senate candidates had dual routes toward placement on the
primary election ballot: (1) eligibility via win or second-place showings at a convention of delegates selected from party local
caucuses ; and/or (2) eligibility via obtaining sufficient
petition signatures.
Taking the traditional route, the top two candidates for the U.S. Senate at any of the
party state conventions (to be held this year the latter part of April) will be placed on the June 26 primary election ballot. Also, any candidate who collects 28,000 ballot-access petition signatures will be placed on the primary ballot.
If no competitor will have achieved the above-mentioned alternate access to the primary ballot through collected signatures and a convention winner had achieved sixty-percent of delegate votes, this candidate straightaway receives his or her party's nomination solely via the older-style caucuses-convention system. Otherwise, a candidate will be nominated through receiving a plurality of votes in the primary election and thereby advance to the November general election.
Incumbent
Orrin Hatch did not seek reelection.
[3]
Hatch to retire
Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator
Orrin Hatch was reelected to a seventh term in 2012. During his 2012 reelection campaign, Hatch had pledged that if he were elected that it would be his last term.
[4] Hatch won his first election in 1976 in part by criticizing the incumbent's 18-year tenure. Hatch initially announced a re-election campaign on March 9, 2017,
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8] though he also said at that time that he might withdraw from the race if
Mitt Romney decided to run.
[9] An August 19–21, 2016, poll conducted by
Public Policy Polling found only 19% of voters wanted Hatch to run in 2018, while 71% wanted him to retire.
[10] On October 27, 2017, Hatch reportedly told friends privately that he was going to retire in 2019
[11] and on January 2, 2018, made a public announcement of his plans to retire at the end of his current term in January 2019.
[3]
Republican primary
Romney campaigning
Kennedy campaigning
People voting in the Republican primary
Convention
Candidates
Nominee
Eliminated in the primary election
Eliminated at Convention
Loy Brunson
Alicia Colvin
[14]
Stoney Fonua, tax accountant
[14]
Chris Forbush, attorney and candidate for the
Nevada 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]
Declined
Endorsements
Larry Meyers (eliminated at convention)
Results
Primary
Debates
Host network
Date
Link(s)
Participants
Mitt Romney
Mike Kennedy
KBYU-TV
May 29, 2018
[26]
Invited
Invited
Polling
Hypothetical polling
with Orrin Hatch
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Orrin Hatch
JonHuntsman Jr.
Undecided
Dan Jones & Associates
January 9–16, 2017
605
± 4.0%
21%
62%
16%
Endorsements
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
[50]
Michael Noel , state representative
[51]
Christine Watkins , state representative
[51]
Kim Coleman , state representative
[50]
Dan McCay , state representative
[50]
Stewart Barlow , state representative
[50]
Paul Ray , state representative
[50]
Kay Christofferson , state representative
[50]
Francis Gibson , state representative
[50]
Brian Greene , state representative
[50]
Mike Schultz , state representative
[50]
Keven Stratton , state representative
[50]
Marc Roberts , state representative
[50]
Individuals
Results
Results by county:
Democratic primary
Candidates
Declared
Eliminated at Convention
Mitchell Kent Vice, businessman
[56]
Withdrew
Declined
Endorsements
Jenny Wilson
U.S. Representatives
Statewide & Local Politicians
Individuals
Libertarian Party
Candidates
Declared
Craig Bowden, veteran and businessman
[66]
Constitution Party
Candidates
Declared
Independent American Party
Candidates
Declared
General election
Candidates
Ryan Daniel Jackson (I, write-in)
Abe Korb (I, write-in)
[67]
Caleb Dan Reeve (I, write-in)
[67]
Debates
Date
Host
Moderator
Link(s)
Participants
Key: P Participant A Absent N Non-invitee I Invitee W Withdrawn
Mitt Romney
Jenny Wilson
October 9, 2018
Utah Debate Commission
Bruce Lindsay
Video
P
P
Predictions
^Highest rating given
Endorsements
Mitt Romney (R)
U.S. Presidents
U.S. Senators
U.S. Representatives
U.S. Governors
Statewide Officeholders
State Legislators
Individuals
Newspapers and Magazines
Jenny Wilson (D)
U.S. Representatives
Statewide & Local Politicians
Individuals
Labor unions
Organizations
Polling
Graphical summary
Notes
^ 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) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Mitt Romney (R)
Jenny Wilson (D)
Craig Bowden (L)
Dan McCay (R)
Mitchell Vice (D)
Larry Meyers (R)
Alicia Colvin (R)
Jay Hyatt (R)
L'Capi Titus (R)
Timothy Jimenez (R)
Other
Undecided
Dan Jones & Associates
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) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Mike Kennedy (R)
Jenny Wilson (D)
Undecided
Dan Jones & Associates
June 11–18, 2018
654
± 3.9%
43%
28%
29%
with Orrin Hatch
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Orrin Hatch (R)
Jenny Wilson (D)
Undecided
Dan Jones & Associates
November 16–21, 2017
600
± 4.0%
50%
35%
15%
Dan Jones & Associates
August 30 – September 5, 2017
608
± 4.0%
34%
45%
21%
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Orrin Hatch (R)
Evan McMullin (I)
Generic Democrat
Other
Undecided
JMC Analytics
March 18–March 20, 2017
625
± 3.9%
29%
33%
11%
10%
17%
with Chris Stewart
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Chris Stewart (R)
Jenny Wilson (D)
Undecided
Dan Jones & Associates
August 30 – September 5, 2017
608
± 4.0%
34%
30%
36%
with Matt Holland
Poll source
Date(s) administered
Sample size
Margin of error
Matt Holland (R)
Jenny Wilson (D)
Undecided
Dan Jones & Associates
August 30 – September 5, 2017
608
± 4.0%
23%
30%
47%
Results
State Senate Districts Results
State House Districts Results
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic
References
^ Wood, Benjamin (June 26, 2018).
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^
"3 decades of presidential losers: Where are they now?" . theweek.com . December 26, 2012. Retrieved September 27, 2020 .
^
a
b Martin, Jonathan (January 2, 2018).
"Orrin Hatch to Retire from Senate, Opening Path for Mitt Romney" . The New York Times . Retrieved January 2, 2018 .
^ Lederman, Josh (March 14, 2012).
"Hatch will retire in 2018 if he wins reelection" .
The Hill . Retrieved October 20, 2016 .
^ Romboy, Dennis (November 6, 2014).
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Deseret News . Retrieved October 20, 2016 .
^ Rolly, Paul (September 23, 2016).
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^ Everett, Burgess; Palmer, Anna (October 19, 2016).
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Politico . Retrieved October 20, 2016 .
^
a
b Raju, Manu (March 9, 2017).
"First on CNN: After lobbying from Trump, Orrin Hatch plans to run again" .
CNN . Retrieved March 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 . Retrieved April 2, 2017 .
^ Jensen, Tom (August 24, 2016).
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Public Policy Polling . Retrieved October 20, 2016 .
^ Linskey, Annie (October 27, 2017).
"A Hatch retirement — and a Romney Senate run — could be inching closer to reality" . The Boston Globe . Retrieved January 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 . Retrieved July 15, 2018 .
^
a
b
c
d
e Cathcart, Preston (March 14, 2018).
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^
"Op-ed: It's time to invite Sen. Orrin Hatch to come home" . DeseretNews.com . August 7, 2017. Retrieved August 22, 2017 .
^
"Tooelean wants to capture U.S. Senate seat" . Retrieved February 11, 2018 .
^
"St. George attorney announces run for GOP US Senate nomination" . StGeorgeUtah.com . January 6, 2018. Retrieved January 10, 2018 .
^ Bowman, Bridget (April 28, 2017).
"Rob Bishop Discounts Prospect of Senate Run" .
Roll Call . Retrieved April 30, 2017 .
^ Viebeck, Elise (April 19, 2017).
"Chaffetz will leave behind Oversight panel he used to investigate Obama White House" . Washington Post . Retrieved April 19, 2017 .
^ Samuels, Brett (November 20, 2017).
"Prominent conservative passes on Utah Senate bid" . The Hill .
^
a
b Rogin, Josh (November 8, 2016).
"What is Evan McMullin's endgame?" .
The Washington Post . Retrieved November 11, 2016 .
^ 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 . Retrieved December 4, 2016 .
^ Weaver, Jennifer (April 16, 2018).
"Ammon Bundy endorses Meyers for U.S. Senate citing his support of limited government" .
KUTV . Retrieved April 16, 2018 .
^ Romboy, Dennis (April 6, 2018).
"Former GOP gubernatorial candidate endorses Larry Myers for U.S. Senate" . Deseret News . Retrieved April 7, 2018 .
^
"- YouTube" .
YouTube .
^
a
b
"Romney falls short in Utah GOP convention, forced into primary for Senate seat" .
Politico . April 22, 2018.
^
a
b
"Jeff Flake wants Mitt Romney to run for U.S. Senate in Utah" .
NBC News .
^
a
b Kaczynski, Andrew.
"Sen. Orrin Hatch: Romney will 'have my support' if he runs for Senate" . CNN.
^
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 Beavers, Olivia (January 15, 2018).
"Jeb Bush backs Romney for Utah Senate run" .
^
a
b
"Utah Gov. Herbert says Romney should run for the Senate" .
^
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 . April 16, 2018.
^
a
b
c
d
"Romney for Senate" .
National Review . January 10, 2018.
^
a
b
"Tribune Editorial: Mitt Romney should be a savior for Republicans and run for Senate" .
^
a
b
"Bay State can only wish Romney luck in a Utah run - Lowell Sun" . Archived from
the original on February 20, 2018. Retrieved February 19, 2018 .
^
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
"Endorsements | Mike Kennedy for US Senate" . www.kennedyforutah.com . Archived from
the original on June 18, 2018. Retrieved June 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 from
the original on October 5, 2019. Retrieved June 17, 2018 .
^ Dr. Mike Kennedy.
"ENDORSEMENT ALERT🚨Robert C. Oaks (Ret.) 4 Star General, USAF. Honorary Chairman for 2016 @realDonaldTrump campaign in Utah" . Twitter .
^
"Michael Johns on Twitter" . Twitter .
^
"United States Senate primary election in Utah, 2018" (PDF) . Office of the Utah Lieutenant Governor. Retrieved June 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 . Retrieved July 17, 2017 .
^ Witham, Joseph (May 22, 2017).
"Mitchell Vice joins 2 other Democrats vying for Hatch's Senate seat in 2018" . St. George News . Retrieved August 18, 2017 .
^ Tribune, Courtney Tanner The Salt Lake.
"Navajo candidate announces bid as Democrat for Hatch's seat" . The Salt Lake Tribune . Retrieved May 17, 2017 .
^ Breiner, Andrew (June 21, 2017).
"Navajo Candidate Drops Out of Race Against Hatch" . Roll Call . Retrieved June 21, 2017 .
^ Schott, Bryan (April 12, 2017).
"Another Democrat looking to knock off Hatch in 2018" . Utah Policy . Retrieved April 12, 2017 .
^
"Thank You" . Danny Drew For U.S. Senate . Archived from
the original on October 4, 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2017 .
^
"Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams running for Congress | KSL.com" . Retrieved October 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 ]
^
"2018 Senate Race Ratings for October 26, 2018" . The Cook Political Report . Retrieved March 13, 2021 .
^
"2018 Senate Ratings" . The Rothenberg Political Report . Retrieved March 13, 2021 .
^
"2018 Crystal Ball Senate race ratings" . Sabato's Crystal Ball . Retrieved October 11, 2017 .
^
"2018 Senate Power Rankings" .
Fox News . Retrieved July 10, 2018 .
^
"Key Races: Senate" . Retrieved July 15, 2018 .
^
"Battle for the Senate 2018" . Retrieved July 15, 2018 .
^ Mike Kennedy [@KennedyForUtah] (June 27, 2018).
"As I told him last night, he will have my support and help" (
Tweet ) – via
Twitter .
^
"Utah – Official UAW Endorsements" . uawendorsements.org . United Automobile Workers.
^
"Utah AFL-CIO Election Endorsements" . utahaflcio.org . August 23, 2016. Archived from
the original on July 6, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2018 .
^
"Utah Stonewall Democrats - 2018 Primary Election Endorsements" . www.utahstonewalldems.org . Archived from
the original on July 6, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2018 .
^ Tim Aalders (C) with 4%, Reed McCandless (IA) and Craig Bowden (L) with 2%
^ Craig Bowden (L) and Reed McCandless (IA) with 3%, Tim Aalders (C) with 2%, other with 1%
^
"United States Senate general election in Utah, 2018" (PDF) . Office of the Utah Lieutenant Governor. Retrieved June 6, 2019 .
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