Phil Lyman

Over 2,600 Utah Republican delegates gathered at Utah Valley university to elect new party leadership ahead of the 2026 midterm cycle.

Utah Republicans will pick a party chair on Saturday. The decision between incumbent Robert Axson and firebrand Phil Lyman will guide where the party is headed.

In 2020, Cox received 64% of the vote. This year he faced stiffer headwinds at the GOP nominating convention plus party squabbles that created an opening for write-in Phil Lyman and Democratic challenger Brian King.

The Associated Press called the governor's race for Spencer Cox at 10:29 p.m. MST / 12:29 a.m. EST.

The Associated Press called Utah for Donald Trump at 8:00 p.m. MST / 10:00 p.m. EST.

In recent years, thousands of new Navajo voters have registered, which could have an impact on some Utah elections. Challenges remain, however, when it comes to making sure Native voices are heard in state politics.

Lyman has made quite the splash in the last week in Utah politics. In an interview with KUER, he said he has “loyal grassroots followers” who are “passionate” about pushing a write-in campaign for governor.

Only one candidate, Mike Kennedy, was both a Utah GOP convention pick and a winner of their primary.

What do the candidates who won in the Utah primary show us about the state of Utah’s Republican Party? Especially as we look to young people and the future?

Despite a right flank challenge and Phil Lyman's strong showing at the state nominating convention, Utah Republican voters opted to give Gov. Spencer Cox a shot at a second term. He'll face Democrat Brian King in November.

Gov. Spencer Cox and Rep. Phil Lyman each tried to paint a picture of what leadership looks like under their administrations.

The candidates competing for the Republican nomination for Utah governor faced off on Tuesday, June 11, 2024, in a debate organized by the Utah Debate Commission.