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Chaffetz Secures A Huge Win Over Tryon In Utah’s 3rd District

Lee Hale
Jason Chaffetz stands with his family as he gives his acceptance speech at Utah's GOP election night party.

In Utah’s 3rd congressional district Republican incumbent Jason Chaffetz secured a strong win against Democratic challenger Stephen Tryon.

It wasn’t a close race. Jason Chaffetz won with over 70 percent of the vote. And when it came time for his acceptance speech, he kept it short.

 

“It’s a very humbling experience," said Chaffetz. "It’s a daunting task. It’s something we should never ever take for granted.”

 

No mention of policy or any defining issues in the 3rd district. Chaffetz just rode the positive energy of a very energetic GOP crowd.

 

"It’s a great night to be a Republican," Chaffetz said to a roaring audience.

 

Stephen Tryon conceded by emphasizing his trust in democracy and the significance of election night.

 

"This is how we decide what’s right," said Tryon. "It might not be what’s best in your mind or in my mind but it’s how we decide what’s right.”

 

It was a message aimed at a crowd with not much to cheer for. Tryon’s defeat was one of many for Utah Democrats, while support for their Republican opponents is clearly as strong as ever.

Lee Hale began listening to KUER while he was teaching English at a Middle School in West Jordan (his one hour commute made for plenty of listening time). Inspired by what he heard he applied for the Kroc Fellowship at NPR headquarters in DC and to his surprise, he got it. Since then he has reported on topics ranging from TSA PreCheck to micro apartments in overcrowded cities to the various ways zoo animals stay cool in the summer heat. But, his primary focus has always been education and he returns to Utah to cover the same schools he was teaching in not long ago. Lee is a graduate of Brigham Young University and is also fascinated with the way religion intersects with the culture and communities of the Beehive State. He hopes to tell stories that accurately reflect the beliefs that Utahns hold dear.
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