Utah: Romney Draws Challenger

Yesterday was the deadline to file to run for political office in Utah, and it is now clear that former presidential nominee and Massachusetts Governor will not have a free ride in this year’s Senate Republican primary.  Though nine Republicans have announced their candidacies to oppose Romney, one individual with an electoral record has just stepped forward. 
 
State Rep. Mike Kennedy (R-Lindon), a practicing physician and three-term state Representative, announced his candidacy and will ostensibly oppose Mr. Romney.  It is clear that Rep. Kennedy is the former presidential nominee’s most substantial Republican opponent, but it is highly unlikely that he, or anyone else, will deny Mr. Romney the Senate nomination.  In the general election, his eventual opponent is likely to be Salt Lake County Councilwoman Jenny Wilson (D).  Mr. Romney is the prohibitive favorite to replace retiring Sen. Orrin Hatch (R).

--Jim Ellis