Republican Michael Kennedy will become the next congressman from Utah’s 3rd Congressional District.
Based on early returns Tuesday, Kennedy led Democratic nominee Glenn Wright by 30 percentage points in the race for the congressional seat that mainly encompasses eastern Utah but includes a portion of Salt Lake County.
Kennedy, a doctor who also has a law degree and currently serves as a state senator, won the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. John Curtis, who won the U.S. Senate seat that Mitt Romney had held.
“This victory is just the beginning,” Kennedy said Tuesday night. “Now, we get to work to protect what makes Utah special and ensure that future generations thrive in a stronger and freer America.”
Kennedy campaigned on a platform of securing the border, cutting taxes and spending, term limits and demanding that the state take control of public lands owned by the federal government.
Wright, a veteran who had previously run for Congress, spent $58,000 on the race and was outpaced by Kennedy, who spent $680,000, much of it during the GOP primary.
Kennedy prevailed in a crowded Republican primary field for the congressional seat, which saw 10 contenders file for the spot. One withdrew, four were eliminated at the Republican nominating convention, and Kennedy edged out four others — state Auditor John Dougall, Stewart Peay, J.R. Bird and Case Lawrence — in the Republican primary, receiving 39% of the vote in the crowded field.
First winning election to the Utah House in 201, Kennedy was reelected three times before running for and winning an open state Senate seat in 2020. He announced he would resign his Senate seat, effective Jan. 1, 2025, in anticipation of winning the congressional race. Delegates have chosen state Rep. Brady Brammer to take his place.
This story is breaking and will be updated.
