The 2018 election cycle is in full swing, and in Utah, Election Day is coming quickly. In November, certain districts’ seats in the Utah State Senate and House are up for election, as well as seats in the United States Congress. Before the general election on Nov. 6, however, some candidates in the running will need to make it through the primaries on June 26, 2018.
Candidates that received 60 percent or more of the delegates’ votes at either the Utah Democrat or Utah Republican Conventions, respectively, were able to skip primary elections. Ben McAdams (D) and his opponent Mia Love (R) in Utah’s fourth congressional district met this standard, as well as Shireen Ghorbani (D) running against Chris Stewart (R) in Utah’s second congressional district.
As both rounds of elections get closer, students across campus and the valley are getting involved in the campaigns.
“I got an email from the political science advising center about internship opportunities,” said Kathryn Loden, a student interning on Ben McAdams’ U.S. House District 4 campaign while studying political science and psychology at the University of Utah. “Working on the campaign has been a lot of fun, working towards something that could actually make a difference in contemporary politics. My knowledge of local politics has grown a lot as has my interest in my major and the opportunities available to me.”
“I’ve worked on several campaigns running their public relations but have also been a political director for [a] congressional campaign and have held a few other roles,” said Grayson Massey, State Chairman of the Utah College Republicans and a student at Westminster College studying international business and finance. “[During this election cycle] we’re expecting to pick up a few additional seats in the state legislature and holding all of our federal seats.”
In order to participate in Utah Republican Party primary elections, the voter must be a registered Republican. In order to participate in Utah Democratic Party primary elections, an individual may be affiliated or unaffiliated with any party.
Federal Primary Candidates
U.S. Senate
Mitt Romney and Mike Kennedy are the candidates appearing on the ballot in the Republican primary. The winner of the primary will run against Jenny Wilson (D) in the general election.
U.S. House District 1 (Box Elder, Cache, Daggett, Davis, Duchesne, Morgan, Rich, Summit, Uintah and Weber Counties)
Lee Castillo and Kurt Weiland are the candidates appearing on the ballot in the Democratic primary. The winner of the primary will run against incumbent Rob Bishop (R) in the general election.
U.S. House District 3 (Carbon, Emery, Grand, Salt Lake, San Juan and Wasatch Counties)
John Curtis, the incumbent elected in the 2017 special election, and Christopher Herrod are the candidates appearing on the ballot in the Republican primary. The winner of the primary will run against James Singer (D) in the general election.
Utah Senate Primary Candidates
Utah Senate District 17 (Box Elder, Cache and Tooele Counties)
Scott Sandall and Clark Davis are the candidates appearing on the ballot in the Republican primary. The winner of the primary will go on to run against Michael Keil (D) in the general election.
Utah Senate District 26 (Daggett, Duchesne, Summit, Uintah and Wasatch Counties)
Ronald Winterton, Jack Rubin and Brian Gorum are the candidates appearing on the ballot in the Republican primary. Pat Vaughn and Eileen Gallagher are the candidates appearing on the ballot in the Democratic primary.
Utah Senate District 2 (Salt Lake County)
Derek Kitchen and Jennifer Plumb are the candidates appearing on the ballot in the Democratic primary. The winner of the primary will run against Chase Winder (R) in the general.
Utah Senate District 3 (Salt Lake County)
Marlin Baer and Jeremy Egan are the candidates appearing on the ballot in the Republican primary. The winner of this primary election will face incumbent Gene Davis (D) in the general election.
Utah Senate District 8 (Salt Lake County)
Brian Zehnder and Jaren Davis are the candidates appearing on the ballot in the Republican primary. The winner of the primary election will run against Kathleen Riebe (D) for the two-year-term seat in the general election.
Utah House Primary Candidates
Utah House District 69 (Carbon, Duchesne, Emery and Grand Counties)
Christine Watkins, incumbent, and Jae Potter are the candidates appearing on the ballot in the Republican primary. The winner of the primary will face Tim Glenn (D) in the general election.
Utah House District 71 (Iron and Washington Counties)
Mark Borowiak and Brad Last, incumbent, are the candidates appearing on the ballot in the Republican primary. The winner of the primary will face Chuck Good (D) in the general election.
Utah House District 4 (Cache County)
Greg Merrill and Dan Johnson are the candidates appearing on the ballot in the Republican primary. The winner of the primary will face Josh Brundage (D) in the general election.
Utah House District 7 (Weber County)
Kyle Anderson and Lisa Roskelley are the candidates appearing on the ballot in the Republican primary. The winner of the primary will face David Owen (D) in the general election.
Utah House District 8 (Weber County)
Steve Waldrip and Jason Kyle are the candidates appearing on the ballot in the Republican primary. The winner of the primary election will face Deana Froerer (D) in the general election.
Utah House District 10 (Weber County)
Lorraine Brown and Terry Schow are the candidates appearing on the ballot in the Republican primary. The winner of the primary election will face LaWanna Shurtliff (D) in the general election.
Utah House District 19 (Davis County)
Raymond Ward and Phill Wright are the candidates appearing on the ballot in the Republican primary. The winner of the primary election will face Courtney Jones (D) in the general election.
Utah House District 20 (Davis County)
Melissa Ballard, Matt Jensen and Glen Jenkins are the candidates appearing on the ballot in the Republican primary. The winner of the primary election will face Ryan Jones (D) in the general election.
Utah House District 24 (Salt Lake County)
Jacquelyn Orton, Igor Limansky, Darin Mann and Jenn Dailey-Provost are the candidates appearing on the ballot in the Democratic primary. The winner of the primary election will face Scott Rosenbush (R) in the general election.
Utah House District 27 (Utah County)
Jared Carman and Brady Brammer are the candidates appearing on the ballot in the Republican primary. The winner of the primary election will face Elisabeth Luntz (D) in the general election.
Utah House District 57 (Utah County)
Alexander Carter and Jon Hawkins are the candidates appearing on the ballot in the Republican primary. There are no Democratic challengers.
Utah House District 61 (Utah County)
Parl Johnson and Marsha Judkins are the candidates appearing on the ballot in the Republican primary. There are no Democratic challengers.
For more information on how to register to vote, what district you live in, Green Party, United Party or other third party candidates, visit www.elections.utah.gov. To learn about each candidates positions, visit their individual campaign websites.
