Lisa Dean, a candidate running to replace Rep. Ken Ivory in the Utah House District 29 primary election, is challenging Ivory, who has been in the Utah Legislature for over a decade. Dean was able to collect enough signatures to force Ivory into the primary. Ivory, who was first elected in 2010 but resigned in 2019 to take a job with a Utah-based company that won a lucrative state contract, was re-appointed to his old seat in 2021. Dean, who was elected to the Jordan School District Board in 2022, supports encouraging innovation in sustainable energy and exploring alternative energy routes while recognizing the importance of fossil fuels. She believes that Utah should do more to subsidize homeowners to conserve water and that water districts should move toward recharging aquifers. Dean does not support building the Lake Powell Pipeline. In terms of abortion, she believes that comprehensive support systems for women and their families should be created to reduce the number of abortions. Dean also opposes the constitutional amendment that removes the requirement for income taxes to be used for education and social services.
Five Republican candidates are running for Utah's 3rd Congressional District seat. They are Roosevelt Mayor J.R., Utah State Auditor John, State Sen. Mike, entrepreneur Case, and former Utah County Republican Party Chairman Stewart. The candidates have different stances on various issues. Kennedy and Bird support a border wall, while Peay supports border-enforcement policies. Kennedy aims to grow the economy and achieve energy independence, while Bird wants stability for energy producers and Peay supports small businesses and lower taxes. Kennedy and Bird are anti-abortion, while Peay supports limited circumstances for abortion. The debate will be aired live on KSL NewsRadio.
The race to replace Sen. Mitt Romney in Utah is between Trent Staggs, a Trump loyalist, and U.S. Rep. John Curtis, a moderate candidate. Staggs, backed by Trump, won the state's Republican convention but faces a more muted GOP electorate in the primary. Curtis, the front-runner, is the longest-serving member of the House delegation for Utah and is considered more moderate. The primary winner is highly favored to win in November over the Democratic nominee. Curtis is focused on bringing Republicans to the table on climate change issues and has a voting record that aligns with Trump's policy positions. Staggs, the mayor of Riverton, prioritizes energy dominance over reducing emissions and has been endorsed by the Oil & Gas Workers Association. The election will determine the direction of the national Republican Party in Utah. [9610627e]