News recently broke that Republican Utah Senator Mitt Romney would not be seeking re-election at the end of his term. As a result, this announcement left the race wide open for candidates and many Republican hopefuls are considering a 2024 bid.
As potential candidates emerge with strong conservative messages and support from grassroots campaigns, it is becoming increasingly clear that this election will be an important crossroads for the state of Utah as well as for its influence in Washington D.C.
Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs is currently the only declared candidate in the race and has already raised $170,000 during the first month of his campaign according to Federal Election Commission filings.
Staggs is running on a platform of small government principles and federal overreach which has resonated with many voters across the state however, he may soon face competition from other Republican hopefuls who have expressed interest in taking over Romney’s seat.
One such candidate is Brad Wilson, a veteran Republican operative and lobbyist in Utah who recently launched an exploratory committee for the seat which has already raised $1 million dollars according to FEC filings.
In response to Romney’s retirement announcement Wilson released a press statement expressing appreciation for his contributions to the state while also noting that “We are at a crossroads…it’s never been more important to elect a strong conservative fighter to U.S Senate.”
Jason Perry of The Hinckley Institute of Politics at University Of Utah believes that Wilson’s exploratory committee indicates he may soon formally launch his own run for office if current polling trends remain consistent.
Romney was leading in polls with 45% support prior to announcing his retirement followed by Wilson with 7% and Staggs with 5%.
However 27% were undecided or chose “another candidate,” indicating there remains ample opportunity for any number of potential candidates to emerge as frontrunners before election day arrives.
