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Independent presidential candidate Evan McMullin speaks at a rally in Draper, Friday, Oct 21, 2016 (Alex Gallivan/Special to the Tribune)
Evan McMullin officially launches his U.S. Senate bid
Former independent candidate Evan McMullin officially jumped into the U.S. Senate race in Utah on Tuesday morning.
The Tribune’s Robert Gehrke scooped Monday that the one-time independent presidential candidate was readying a run for Senate. McMullin made it official with a press release and launch video on Tuesday morning.
“Our politics are broken, and it’s putting our country in danger. Washington has left us so polarized that we’re failing to overcome major problems facing the nation and it has to change,” McMullin said in the press release.
He also makes it clear he’s targeting two-term Republican Sen. Mike Lee while running as an independent candidate.
“I’m not running as a Republican or a Democrat. I’m running as a patriot, as an American committed to defending our nation and changing our politics for the better,” McMullin said.
The former CIA officer captured just over 21% of the vote in Utah when he ran for president as an independent in 2016.
Here’s what you need to know for Tuesday morning
➡️ Mayor Erin Mendenhall temporarily bans new homeless shelters in Salt Lake City for the next six months. the move is aimed at blocking a new overflow shelter in the Ballpark neighborhood. [Tribune]
💉 The Utah Legislature held a packed hearing to get public input on the topic of vaccine mandates for private businesses. While most attendees pleaded with lawmakers to ban vaccine mandates, it appears the state will rely on court action to block vaccine requirements. [Tribune]
💉 Johnson and Johnson asks the FDA to authorize booster shots for its COVID-19 vaccine. [CNN]
⚖️ A lawsuit is challenging Utah’s cash bail system claiming the process is unconstitutional. [Tribune]
👀 Attorney General Merrick Garland ordered the FBI to work with local leaders to address a “disturbing spike in harassment, intimidation, and threats of violence” against teachers and school board members. [Politico]
😱 Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp went down for several hours on Monday. [Protocol]
⭐️ The Nobel Prize in physics was awarded to three scientists who helped advance understanding of complex systems like global warming. [NYT]
Tuesday morning’s Utah news roundup
Utah
COVID-19
Development
Environment
Local news
Opinion
