The Utah Republican Party chose Trent Staggs as its nominee to replace Mitt Romney in the U.S. Senate, receiving a significant boost from former President Donald Trump’s endorsement. However, Staggs still must face other top contenders in the GOP primary, including more moderate candidates like U.S. Rep. John Curtis and former Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson. The Republican primary will test the value of Trump’s endorsement of Staggs, and could signal a shift in the state’s political landscape with the departure of Romney, a prominent figure among moderate Republicans.
Staggs, a 49-year-old mayor from Riverton, built his base by calling delegates personally and courting endorsements from Trump and his allies. The former president described Staggs as a “100% MAGA” candidate who aligns with Trump’s policies on issues like inflation, the economy, and border security. Staggs was the first candidate to enter the Senate race, positioning himself as a challenger to the more moderate Romney and emphasizing his support for Trump’s agenda.
In addition to Staggs, the GOP primary contenders include U.S. Rep. John Curtis, a more moderate candidate with broader appeal among primary voters, and former Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson, who has endorsed Trump’s reelection bid. Curtis has been compared to Romney for his willingness to work across party lines, particularly on issues like climate change. Wilson, although not backed by Trump, promises to be a “conservative fighter” in Congress, with a focus on opposing the “Biden Agenda.”
The party’s convention delegates overwhelmingly supported “convention-only” candidates, including Staggs and state Rep. Phil Lyman, who defeated incumbent Gov. Spencer Cox for the party’s gubernatorial nomination. Delegates favored far-right candidates and booed moderates like Cox and Curtis, highlighting the divide between Trump supporters and the moderate faction that is losing influence with Romney’s departure. The primary will be a test of Trump’s popularity in Utah and his ability to sway voters in a state that has been reluctant to fully embrace him.
The primary election will be a key moment for the Utah Republican Party, as the state’s political landscape shifts in the absence of Romney and with a new generation of candidates vying for prominence. Staggs’ alignment with Trump and his far-right policies could be a point of contention in a state that has historically leaned more moderate in its Republican politics. The outcome of the primary will not only determine Romney’s successor but also reflect the broader dynamics within the party as it navigates the influence of Trump and the future direction of the Republican Party in Utah.
Overall, the Republican primary in Utah will be a significant event in the state’s political calendar, with candidates like Staggs, Curtis, and Wilson vying for the nomination to replace Mitt Romney in the U.S. Senate. With Trump’s endorsement of Staggs and the strong showing of far-right candidates at the party’s convention, the primary will test the balance of power between moderate and conservative factions within the Utah Republican Party. The contest will also provide insights into the broader implications of Trump’s influence on state politics and the future direction of the party as it grapples with a changing political landscape.
