UT-3: Petitioning On

Newly elected Rep. John Curtis (R-Provo), who won a November special election to replace resigned Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R), will likely face primary competition against the man whom convention delegates endorsed in the special election.   Former state Rep. Chris Herrod, who won the nominating convention endorsement last year, filed to run again. 
 
Because he will likely be strong in the nominating convention once more, Rep. Curtis is both participating in the convention process and announced he will circulate petitions to qualify.  A candidate must receive at least 40% of the convention delegate vote to proceed to a primary.  If one receives 60%, the individual is either nominated outright or advances to a primary election against only candidates who have qualified via ballot petition.
 
Rep. Curtis is likely to win re-election, but it won’t be surprising to see him again do battle with Mr. Herrod in the Republican primary before advancing to an easy general election race.

--Jim Ellis