United States Senate election in Utah, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. Senate Utah

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mitt Romney (R)	62.6	665,215
		Jenny Wilson (D)	30.9	328,541
		Timothy Noel Aalders (Constitution Party)	2.7	28,774
		Craig Bowden (L)	2.6	27,607
		Reed McCandless (Independent American Party)	1.2	12,708
		Other/Write-in votes	0.0	52

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,062,897
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Elections in Utah, 2018

• General election: Nov. 6
• Voter registration deadline: Oct. 9 (mail), or Oct. 30 (online or in-person)
• Early voting: Oct. 23 - Nov. 2
• Absentee voting deadline: Nov. 6

• Online registration: Yes
• Same-day registration: Yes
• Voter ID: Non-photo ID required
• Poll times: 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

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On the ballot: U.S. Senate • U.S. House • State executive offices • State Senate • State House • Supreme court • Appellate courts • Local judges • State ballot measures • School boards • Democratic primaries • Republican primaries

2022 → ← 2016
U.S. Senate, Utah
Democratic primary Republican primary General election
Election details
Filing deadline: March 15, 2018
Primary: June 26, 2018 General: November 6, 2018 Pre-election incumbent: Orrin Hatch (Republican)
How to vote
Poll times: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voting in Utah
Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Solid Republican Inside Elections: Solid Republican Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe Republican
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds U.S. House battlegrounds Federal and state primary competitiveness Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2018
See also
U.S. Senate, Utah U.S. Senate • 1st • 2nd • 3rd • 4th Utah elections, 2018 U.S. Congress elections, 2018 U.S. Senate elections, 2018 U.S. House elections, 2018 Arizona U.S. Senate raceCalifornia U.S. Senate raceConnecticut U.S. Senate raceDelaware U.S. Senate raceFlorida U.S. Senate raceHawaii U.S. Senate raceIndiana U.S. Senate raceMaine U.S. Senate raceMaryland U.S. Senate raceMassachusetts U.S. Senate raceMichigan U.S. Senate raceMinnesota U.S. Senate raceMinnesota U.S. Senate race (special)Mississippi U.S. Senate raceMississippi U.S. Senate race (special)Missouri U.S. Senate raceMontana U.S. Senate raceNebraska U.S. Senate raceNevada U.S. Senate raceNew Jersey U.S. Senate raceNew Mexico U.S. Senate raceNew York U.S. Senate raceNorth Dakota U.S. Senate raceOhio U.S. Senate racePennsylvania U.S. Senate raceRhode Island U.S. Senate raceTennessee U.S. Senate raceTexas U.S. Senate raceUtah U.S. Senate raceVermont U.S. Senate raceVirginia U.S. Senate raceWashington U.S. Senate raceWest Virginia U.S. Senate raceWisconsin U.S. Senate raceWyoming U.S. Senate raceSubmit

Voters in Utah elected one member to the U.S. Senate in the election on November 6, 2018. Heading into the 2018 election, the incumbent is Orrin Hatch (R), who was first elected in 1976.

Candidates and election results

See also: Statistics on U.S. Congress candidates, 2018

General election

Mitt Romney defeated Jenny Wilson, Timothy Noel Aalders, Craig Bowden, and Reed McCandless in the general election for U.S. Senate Utah on November 6, 2018.

General election

General election for U.S. Senate Utah

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mitt Romney (R)	62.6	665,215
		Jenny Wilson (D)	30.9	328,541
		Timothy Noel Aalders (Constitution Party)	2.7	28,774
		Craig Bowden (L)	2.6	27,607
		Reed McCandless (Independent American Party)	1.2	12,708
		Other/Write-in votes	0.0	52

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,062,897
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

The Utah Democratic Party held a nominating convention on April 28, 2018. Jenny Wilson, a Salt Lake County councilwoman, was selected via convention with 81 percent of the vote.

Republican primary election

Mitt Romney defeated Mike Kennedy in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Utah on June 26, 2018.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. Senate Utah

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Mitt Romney	71.3	240,021
		Mike Kennedy	28.7	96,771

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 336,792
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Key votes

Key votes cast by Hatch

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) cast the following key votes—votes that help citizens understand where their legislators stand on major policy issues—during the 115th Congress, which convened on January 3, 2017, and adjourned on January 3, 2019.

Click show to see key votes for Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) →

Key votes: 115th Congress, 2017-2018 For detailed information about each vote, click here. Votes on domestic policy (click to expand) Voted Yea on: First Step Act of 2018 (S 756)  Motion Agreed to (87-12) on December 18, 2018 Proposed making changes to the criminal justice system. Voted Yea on: Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018 (HR 2)  Conference Report Agreed to (87-13) on December 11, 2018 Proposed providing funding for commodity support, conservation, trade and international food aid, nutrition assistance, farm credit, rural development, research and extension activities, forestry, horticulture, and crop insurance through fiscal year 2023. Voted Yea on: "Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States" (PN2259)  Nomination Confirmed (50-48) on October 6, 2018 Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Voted Yea on: "Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States" (PN2259)  Cloture Motion Agreed to (51-49) on October 5, 2018 Brett M. Kavanaugh, of Maryland, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States Voted Yea on: Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (HR 2)  Bill Passed (86-11, 3/5 majority required) on June 28, 2018 Proposed providing funding for commodity support, conservation, trade and international food aid, nutrition assistance, farm credit, rural development, research and extension activities, forestry, horticulture, and crop insurance. Voted Yea on: Immigration reform proposal from Sen. Chuck Grassley and the Trump administration (S Amdt 1959 to HR 2579)  Cloture Motion Rejected (39-60, 3/5 majority required) on February 15, 2018 Proposed providing a path to citizenship for 1.8 million individuals brought into the U.S. without legal permission as children, $25 billion for border security, limits on chain migration or family-based migration, and eliminating the visa lottery system. Voted Nay on: Immigration reform proposal from the Common Sense Coalition (S Amdt 1958 to HR 2579)  Cloture Motion Rejected (54-45, 3/5 majority required) on February 15, 2018 Proposed providing a path to citizenship for individuals brought into the U.S. without legal permission as children, $25 billion for border security, and limitations on chain or family-based immigration. Voted Yea on: Stop Dangerous Sanctuary Cities Act amendment (S Amdt 1948 to S Amdt 1959)  Cloture Motion Rejected (54-45, 3/5 majority required) on February 15, 2018 Proposed withholding funding from sanctuary jurisdictions for not cooperating with federal immigration officials. Voted Nay on: Coons-McCain immigration plan (S Amdt 1955 to S Amdt 1958)  Cloture Motion Rejected (52-47, 3/5 majority required) on February 15, 2018 Proposed providing a path to citizenship for individuals brought into the U.S. without legal permission as children and conducting a study to determine what border security measures were needed. It also proposed requiring the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to secure the U.S.-Mexico border by 2021. Voted Yea on: Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (S 2311)  Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected (51-46, 3/5 majority required) on January 29, 2018 Proposed amending the federal criminal code to make it a crime for any person to perform or attempt to perform an abortion if the probable post-fertilization age of the fetus was 20 weeks or more. The bill proposed providing exceptions for an abortion: (1) that was necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman, or (2) when the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest. Voted Yea on: An amendment to repeal the requirements for individuals to enroll in health insurance and for employers to offer it—"Skinny bill" (S Amdt 667 to S Amdt 267 to HR 1628 the American Health Care Act of 2017)  Amendment Rejected (49-51) on July 28, 2017 The amendment proposed repealing the requirements for individuals to enroll in health insurance and for employers to offer it. Voted Yea on: An amendment to repeal the ACA, including Paul amendment (No. 271) (S Amdt 271 to S Amdt 267 to HR 1628)  Amendment Rejected (45-55) on July 26, 2017 An amendment to repeal the ACA, including Paul amendment (No. 271) Voted Yea on: Motion to advance the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017, including Cruz and Portman amendments (S Amdt 270 to S Amdt 267 to HR 1628)  Motion Rejected (43-57, 3/5 majority required) on July 25, 2017 A procedural vote to advance the Better Care Reconciliation Act of 2017 (BCRA), including the Cruz and Portman amendments. Voted Yea on: Motion to begin debate on the American Health Care Act of 2017 (HR 1628)  Motion to Proceed Agreed to (50-50, Vice President voted Yea) on July 25, 2017 Proposed providing for reconciliation pursuant to title II of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2017. Voted Yea on: Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (PN55(4)—confirmation vote)  Nomination Confirmed (54-45) on April 7, 2017 Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States—confirmation vote. Voted Yea on: Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (PN55(3))  Cloture Motion Agreed to (55-45) on April 6, 2017 Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States—second vote to end debate and move to a vote on Gorsuch's nomination under the new precedent requiring only a simple majority to pass. Voted Nay on: Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (PN55(2))  Decision of Chair Not Sustained (48-52) on April 6, 2017 Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States—a vote to keep the Senate precedent of requiring 60 votes to close debate on Supreme Court nominations. Voted Yea on: Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (PN55)  Cloture Motion Rejected (55-45, 3/5 majority required) on April 6, 2017 Neil M. Gorsuch, of Colorado, to be an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States—initial vote to end debate and move to a vote on Gorsuch's nomination. Votes on economic affairs and regulations (click to expand) Voted Yea on: "Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019" (HR 6157)  Conference Report Agreed to (93-7) on September 18, 2018 Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Education. Voted Yea on: "Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019" (HR 5895)  Conference Report Agreed to (92-5) on September 12, 2018 Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Department of Energy, water resources, the legislative branch, military construction, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among other programs. Voted Yea on: "Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019" (HR 6157)  Bill Passed (85-7) on August 23, 2018 Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Education. Voted Yea on: "Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019" (HR 5895)  Bill Passed (86-5) on June 25, 2018 Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Department of Energy, water resources, the legislative branch, military construction, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among other programs. Voted Yea on: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1625)  Motion Agreed to (65-32) on March 23, 2018 Proposed providing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes. Voted Yea on: The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (HR 1892)  Motion Agreed to (71-28) on February 9, 2018 Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through March 23, 2018 Voted Yea on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 695)  Cloture Motion Rejected (55-44, 3/5 majority required) on February 8, 2018 Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through March 23, 2018. Voted Yea on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 195)  Motion Agreed to (81-18) on January 22, 2018 Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through February 8, 2018. Voted Yea on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 195)  Cloture Motion Agreed to (81-18, 3/5 majority required) on January 22, 2018 Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through February 8, 2018. Voted Yea on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 195)  Cloture Motion Rejected (50-49, 3/5 majority required) on January 19, 2018 Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through January 19, 2018. Voted Yea on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1370)  Motion Agreed to (66-32, 3/5 majority required) on December 21, 2017 Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through January 19, 2018. Voted Yea on: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1)  Motion Agreed to (51-48) on December 20, 2017 Proposed providing for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018 and proposed changes to the tax code. Voted Yea on: "A joint resolution making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes." (HJ Res 123)  Joint Resolution Passed (81-14) on December 7, 2017 Proposed funding the government until December 22, 2017. Voted Yea on: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1)  Bill Passed (51-49) on December 2, 2017 Proposed amending the Internal Revenue Code to reduce tax rates and modify policies, credits, and deductions for individuals and businesses. Voted Yea on: A concurrent resolution establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027. (H Con Res 71)  Concurrent Resolution Agreed to (51-49) on October 19, 2017 Proposed establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027. Voted Yea on: Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2017 (Included amendments to suspend the debt ceiling and fund the government) (HR 601)  Motion Agreed to (80-17) on September 7, 2017 Proposed suspending the debt ceiling and funding the government until December 8, 2017, and providing funding for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma relief efforts. Voted Yea on: Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 (HR 244)  Motion Agreed to (79-18) on May 4, 2017 The $1.2 trillion budget bill proposed funding the government through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2017. Votes on foreign policy and national security issues (click to expand) Voted Nay on: "A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress." (SJ Res 54)  Joint Resolution Passed (56-41) on December 13, 2018 Proposed removing United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that were not authorized by Congress. Voted Yea on: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (HR 2810)  Bill Passed (89-8) on September 18, 2017 Proposed authorizing appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for military activities of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for defense activities of the Department of Energy, and to prescribe military personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes. On November 15, 2017, the Senate passed the defense policy bill by voice vote. This bill was the result of compromises made in the conference report. For more information on the compromise bill, click here. Voted Yea on: Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (HR 3364)  Bill Passed (98-2) on July 27, 2017 Proposed providing congressional review and proposed countering aggression by the governments of Iran, the Russian Federation, and North Korea, and for other purposes. Voted Yea on: Countering Iran's Destabilizing Activities Act of 2017 (S 722)  Bill Passed (98-2) on June 15, 2017 Proposed providing congressional review and proposed countering aggression by the governments of Iran, the Russian Federation, and North Korea, and for other purposes.

Campaign finance

The chart below contains data from financial reports submitted to the Federal Election Commission.

Name	Party	Receipts*	Disbursements**	Cash on hand	Date
Jenny Wilson	Democratic Party	$960,796	$960,456	$340	As of December 31, 2018
Mitt Romney	Republican Party	$5,552,040	$5,294,219	$257,822	As of December 31, 2018
Timothy Noel Aalders	Constitution Party	$106,499	$106,495	$4	As of December 31, 2018
Reed McCandless	Independent American Party	$0	$0	$0	Data not available***
Craig Bowden	Libertarian Party	$44,654	$43,055	$6,142	As of March 31, 2018
Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2018. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC). * According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee." ** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election. *** Candidate either did not report any receipts or disbursements to the FEC, or Ballotpedia did not find an FEC candidate ID.

Campaign themes

Jenny Wilson

Wilson’s campaign website stated the following:

“	Immigration Comprehensive, compassionate and family centered reform Path to citizenship for Dreamers Immediate reunification of families at border GOP Tax Bill Jenny opposes the GOP tax plan which gave breaks to corporations and the wealthy. She proposed her own revisions to the bill which would increase breaks for families and workers: Minimize the tax cuts to corporations Repeals the tax break for high-income families Increases the Child Tax Credit Closes egregious tax loopholes Public Lands Restore original boundaries to Utah’s national monuments Protecting Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) for our rural communities Budget/Deficit Jenny served as the Chief of Staff to Blue Dog Democrat Bill Orton who served on the budget committee. Jenny and her colleagues work across party lines each year to pass a balanced budget Healthcare Reform the ACA Expand medicaid in UT Continue to cover pre-existing conditions Medicare should negotiate lower drug prices with pharmaceutical companies Continued coverage for young people up to 26-years-old Working for Utah Families Jenny has a record of success serving in Utah as a member of the Salt Lake County Council. She gives back by serving on dozens of local committees and work groups. Ballot Initiatives Prop 1: Our Schools Now Funding Supports Prop 2: Utah Medical Cannabis Act Supports Prop 3: Full Medicaid Expansion Supports Prop 4: Independent Redistricting Commission Supports	”
—Jenny Wilson’s campaign website (2018)

Mitt Romney

Romney’s campaign website stated the following:

“	The Constitution I believe in the wisdom and intent of the United States Constitution. Among constitutional principles which must be reestablished are these: Powers not reserved to the federal government must be returned to the states. States should guide their own policies regarding such matters as education, transportation, healthcare, care for the poor, and school safety. Laws should originate with the Legislative branch not the Judicial branch or unelected bureaucrats. Taxes I support the Republicans’ Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The corporate tax cut will encourage real wage growth; the only way to raise real wages is for businesses to grow, compete with other businesses for employees, and raise the wages they offer to recruit. The tax cut will thus not only let people keep more of their wages, it will help raise their wages. While I would have voted for the Act, had I been in the Senate at the time it was being drafted, I would have fought to make it revenue neutral rather than adding to the deficit. Budget & Debt Like Senator Mike Lee, I am a deficit hawk. I believe it is inexcusable to add $500 billion to $1 trillion annually to the debt, saddling us and our children with hundreds of billions of dollars of interest. I will work with like-minded senators who will oppose a budget process that prevents effective debate, amendments, and spending caps. I will look to eliminate ineffective and wasteful programs and to reform entitlements for people under 55 years of age. The recent “take-it-or-shut-down-government” Continuing Resolution process with no debate, no amendments, no time for review, and no adherence to spending caps must be replaced. I will work with other like-minded senators to refuse to bend to such a tactic. Public Land With two-thirds of Utah held as public land, it is my priority to obtain greater local and state involvement in decision-making and management of public lands. I support multiple use of these lands and will work to prevent excessive land grabs by presidents and federal bureaucrats. The Antiquities Act and the Endangered Species Act should both be reformed to require state approvals and local involvement. The State of Utah should assume management responsibility for select public lands when economically feasible, initially on a pilot basis. Agriculture We should respect and appreciate the contribution of Utah’s agricultural industry to our economy and our security by resolving the uncertainty and federal overreach associated with public land usage, reducing the excessive number of wild horses and burros, and fostering sustainable forest and land management policies. I favor trade policies that open markets for Utah’s agriculture exports. The number of visas for crop, livestock, and dairy workers should be decided on the state level rather than the federal level. Clean Air & Energy I support greater efficiency standards in cars, trucks, and factories to reduce energy consumption and pollution. I support the utilization of all our energy resources including gas, coal, wind, nuclear, geothermal, hydro, and solar. We are fortunate Utah’s coal power plants, which provide over 75 percent of our electricity, are at the forefront of the clean coal industry. Foreign Policy America’s leadership and greatness is the result of our economic strength, a military that is second to none, our promotion of freedom, and the fundamental goodness of our people. The decision to send troops into a foreign country must be made only when a substantial American interest is at stake. This should be a very high hurdle. We should maintain clear superiority in conventional military capabilities and at least parity in nuclear capabilities. American military strength is the best friend peace has ever known. We must promote our values of freedom and free enterprise through our diplomacy, economic ties, alliances and other soft power tools. When nations attack our infrastructure, elections, technology, or vital interests, we should retaliate and punish their behavior with appropriate and meaningful measures. Immigration I support legal immigration. I respect and welcome those who have followed the law and have made the United States their home. Our nation is stronger and more vibrant by virtue of a strong legal immigration system. The legal immigration system should be merit based, giving applicants credit for such things as English fluency, having a trade or technical skill, personal savings, and advanced degrees so these individuals may become assets to their communities and prosper in our country. I firmly oppose illegal immigration. I support measures to secure our national borders. I support a simplified legal status verification system that will allow an employer to know whether a prospective employee is in the United States legally and that will sanction employers who nevertheless hire people here illegally. I support President Trump’s proposal, made earlier this year, to give Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) individuals legal status. However, I oppose giving these individuals a special pathway to citizenship. I support ending chain migration and the visa lottery program. Trade & Tariffs I support trade with other countries; as a net export state, Utah benefits from foreign trade. In some instances, nations or companies have cheated on trade agreements and America should take punitive action against them. Further, we have done too little to help American citizens who have been disproportionately impacted by automation and trade policies. I oppose broad-based tariffs but I will support focused tariffs that penalize cheaters and dumping. President Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs are being narrowed to impact only the offending nations rather than our EU, Canadian, or Mexican allies. As a net-exporting state, trade benefits Utah’s economy. Healthcare The Affordable Care Act should be repealed and not replaced by another one-size-fits all bureaucracy. In its place, states should be given flexibility with their Medicaid funds to implement their own programs for caring for the poor. Health insurance costs must be reined in. I will apply my career experience in healthcare and finance to install market-based incentives to reduce costs. This will include transparency in provider pricing and quality information to consumers. I will promote cost-sharing insurance policies and health savings accounts. Further, I support requiring pharmaceutical companies to spread the cost of drug development with other countries, reducing the huge price inequity Americans experience. Opioid Crisis A multi-front approach is needed. On the supply front: pressure Mexico, China, and other countries to curtail the flow of illegal drugs into the U.S.; establish better detection at our border; stop drug companies from promoting opioids to physicians; make it easier for law enforcement to shut down “drug mills” that fill obviously false prescriptions; and establish a federal database to identify multiple prescribers and abusers across state lines. On the demand front: provide counseling and treatment for those who want to escape drug addictions; and assure that first responders are equipped with necessary medications to prevent overdose deaths. Second Amendment I support the second amendment. Gun laws and school safety measures should be established by each state, not imposed by the federal government. I do not support newly proposed federal gun legislation with the exception of the removal of bump stocks for public sale and an updated background check system promoted by Congress and President Trump. Life, Family & Religion I am pro-life and pro-family. I will defend religious liberty and will only vote to confirm judicial nominees who will fully honor the First Amendment guarantee of the same. Utah Values My parents were both raised in Utah and thus my home was imbued with Utah values; they filled us with the love of God, reverence for freedom, respect for others, and the importance of service, civility, and frugality. Ann and I have enjoyed our residency in Utah for ten years, first during college, while leading the Olympics, and after my career, having made Utah our permanent home. Action, Not Just Talk By virtue of the relationships I have in Washington, with other senators and the President, I will be able to accomplish more for the people of Utah than the average junior senator. I have built valuable relationships throughout my decades of work in public service, as head of the Salt Lake Olympics, and during my presidential campaigns, that will prepare me to serve the people of Utah through meaningful action. Talk is cheap but action is essential if we are to overcome the challenges facing our families, our state, and our nation. My record of getting things done in the private sector, community, and government, is evidence that I can and will do what needs to be done for the people of Utah.	”
—Mitt Romney’s campaign website (2018)

Craig Bowden

Bowden’s campaign website stated the following:

“	Economic Liberty All members of society should have abundant opportunities to achieve economic success. A free and competitive market allocates resources in the most efficient manner. Each person has the right to offer goods and services to others on the free market. Non Interventionist Foreign Policy We have close to 900 bases located around the world. We have been kept in a constant state of responding to conflicts that don’t involve U.S. interests, or as some have alleged, been wars for profit. We have seen two major wars in the last decade, and escalations continue because of the foreign policy of interventionism. Second Amendment The only legitimate use of force is in defense of individual rights—life, liberty, and justly acquired property—against aggression. This right inheres in the individual, who may agree to be aided by any other individual or group. As your Senator I would affirm the individual right recognized by the Second Amendment to keep and bear arms, and oppose the prosecution of individuals for exercising their rights of self-defense. Ending the War on Drugs Ending the war on drugs is extremely important, not only for medical reasons with whole plant reform, but also treating people that have addictions as a medical issue instead of a criminal one. Nearly 1/3 of all people in jails and prisons are non violent drug offenders, who only made a choice for their own bodies, and more than half of that is marijuana. Criminal Justice Reform The prescribed role of government is to protect the rights of every individual including the right to life, liberty and property. Criminal laws should be limited in their application to violations of the rights of others through force or fraud, or to deliberate actions that place others involuntarily at significant risk of harm. Privacy and Security It is my intent to repeal the USA Patriot Act and any legislation similar to it, in order to preserve our civil liberties and protect the privacy of U.S. citizens. I will be sponsoring legislation to remove this law from our books. Far too often legislation is passed hurriedly, without worrying about the possible implications. This is one of those incidents.	”
—Craig Bowden’s campaign website (2018)

Tim Aalders

Aalders’ campaign website stated the following:

“	Border / Immigration As the son of immigrants, I am grateful that America welcomed my parents to be part of this great country. Of course, my parents needed a sponsor and a job to ensure they would not be a burden to other Americans. Upon arrival, my parents accepted the culture, learned English, and sent a son to defend our country. The 2nd Amendment The Second Amendment was and should always remain, as the peoples final protection of our unalienable rights. It is a right that should not be infringed and any politician or Supreme Court justice that decides to infringe upon that right, is violating their oath and should be removed. ​Health Care Since the ACA or Obama care, working people have witnessed their premiums climb. We need to stop allowing HMO's to operate without competition that would drive prices lower, cornering the healthcare market. We cannot provide healthcare for people coming here illegally and expecting hard working Americans to subsidize. Pro-Life Our Declaration of Independence highlights the value of life and we have a sacred duty to stand for every life to have the chance to live. Unless, the mother's life is threatened either physically or psychologically, every child should have that live. As well, Roe vs. Wade should be repealed. Jobs & Economy Through trade, we currently have created millionaires out of the military industrial complex while destroying manufacturing throughout America. This is also a painful fix but America is Great because the people here are willing to make sacrifices to save freedom. Military We need a strong military to protect us in such a hateful world but we are not the worlds police. We cannot change Iran, Iraq or any other nation of the world unless we occupy for generations and indoctrinate their youth like we have allowed liberals to do here. Education It was always meant and should be handled on local level. Here in Utah I am sick of Progressives in Washington and special interest groups deciding what is best for our children. The U.S. Constitution Many people today seem to believe the Constitution is outdated and not made for our current society. The Preamble to the Constitution states clearly:“And secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” So the Constitution has never failed us but we have failed the Constitution. The Constitution was to allow us, “We the People,” to control government but as anyone can see, we have lost all control of Washington. Government Spending Our government has violated every oath and promise and placed our country in immediate perel by allowing us to live beyond our means. Fixing these issues are going to be painful but necessary to protect this country for our posterity. Foreign Relations America was never intended to be the police of the world. It saddens me to see countries who we provided weapons to use them to hurt our young men and women. We should not be told by socialist nations of the UN, Nato, world trade organizations as to how we should handle our business.	”
—Tim Aalders’ campaign website (2018)

Reed McCandless

Note: Ballotpedia did not find campaign themes information on Reed McCandless' campaign website on October 15, 2018.

Wave election analysis

See also: Wave elections (1918-2016)

The term wave election is frequently used to describe an election cycle in which one party makes significant electoral gains. How many seats would Republicans have had to lose for the 2018 midterm election to be considered a wave election?

Ballotpedia examined the results of the 50 election cycles that occurred between 1918 and 2016—spanning from President Woodrow Wilson's (D) second midterm in 1918 to Donald Trump's (R) first presidential election in 2016. We define wave elections as the 20 percent of elections in that period resulting in the greatest seat swings against the president's party.

Applying this definition to U.S. Senate elections, we found that Republicans needed to lose seven seats for 2018 to qualify as a wave election.

The chart below shows the number of seats the president's party lost in the 10 U.S. Senate waves from 1918 to 2016. Click here to read the full report.

U.S. Senate wave elections
Year	President	Party	Election type	Senate seats change	Senate majority
1932	Hoover	R	Presidential	-13	D (flipped)
1958	Eisenhower	R	Second midterm	-12	D
1946	Truman	D	First midterm	-10	R (flipped)
1980	Carter	D	Presidential	-9	R (flipped)
2014	Obama	D	Second midterm	-9	R (flipped)
1942	Roosevelt	D	Third midterm	-8	D
2008	George W. Bush	D	Presidential	-8	D
1926	Coolidge	R	First midterm	-7	R
1930	Hoover	R	First midterm	-7	R
1986	Reagan	R	Second midterm	-7	D (flipped)

Election history

2016

See also: United States Senate election in Utah, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated Utah's U.S. Senate race as safely Republican. Incumbent Mike Lee (R) defeated Misty Snow (D), Stoney Fonua (Independent American), and Bill Barron (Independent) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Lee faced no primary challenger, while Snow defeated Jonathan Swinton to win the Democratic nomination. The primaries took place on June 28, 2016. Jade Tuan Quoc Vo (D) was eliminated at the party convention on April 23, 2016.

U.S. Senate, Utah General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Mike Lee Incumbent	68.1%	760,220
	Democratic	Misty Snow	27.1%	301,858
	Independent American	Stoney Fonua	2.5%	27,339
	Independent	Bill Barron	2.3%	26,166
Total Votes				1,115,583
Source: Utah Secretary of State

U.S. Senate, Utah Democratic Primary, 2016

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Misty Snow	59.4%	28,928
Jonathan Swinton	40.6%	19,774
Total Votes		48,702
Source: Utah Lieutenant Governor

2012

See also: United States Senate elections in Utah, 2012

Orrin Hatch won re-election to the United States Senate in 2012.

U.S. Senate, Utah, General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Orrin G. Hatch Incumbent	65.8%	657,608
	Democratic	Scott Howell	30.2%	301,873
	Constitution	Shaun Lynn McCausland	3.2%	31,905
	Utah Justice	Daniel Geery	0.8%	8,342
	Independent	Bill Barron	0%	0
Total Votes				999,728
Source: Utah Lieutenant Governor, "2012 General Election Results"

State overview

Partisan control

This section details the partisan control of federal and state positions in Utah heading into the 2018 elections.

Congressional delegation

• Following the 2016 elections, Republicans held both U.S. Senate seats in Utah.
• Republicans held all four U.S. House seats in Utah.

State executives

• As of May 2018, Republicans held five of eight state executive positions, while three positions were held by nonpartisan officials.
• The governor of Utah was Republican Gary Herbert.

State legislature

• Republicans controlled both chambers of the Utah State Legislature. They had a 61-13 majority in the state House and a 24-5 majority in the state Senate.

Trifecta status

• Utah was a Republican trifecta, meaning that the Republican Party controlled the state government. Gary Herbert (R) served as governor and Republicans controlled the state legislature.

2018 elections

See also: Utah elections, 2018

Utah held elections for the following positions in 2018:

• One U.S. Senate seat
• All four U.S. House seats
• 14 out of 29 state Senate seats
• All 75 state House seats

Demographics

Demographic data for Utah
	Utah	U.S.
Total population:	2,990,632	316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):	82,170	3,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:	87.6%	73.6%
Black/African American:	1.1%	12.6%
Asian:	2.2%	5.1%
Native American:	1.1%	0.8%
Pacific Islander:	0.9%	0.2%
Two or more:	2.6%	3%
Hispanic/Latino:	13.4%	17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:	91.2%	86.7%
College graduation rate:	31.1%	29.8%
Income
Median household income:	$60,727	$53,889
Persons below poverty level:	12.7%	11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Utah. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

As of July 2017, Utah had a population of approximately 3,100,000 people, with its three largest cities being Salt Lake City (pop. est. 190,000), West Valley City (pop. est. 140,000), and Provo (pop. est. 120,000).

State election history

This section provides an overview of federal and state elections in Utah from 2000 to 2016. All data comes from the Lieutenant Governor of Utah.

Historical elections

Presidential elections, 2000-2016

This chart shows the results of the presidential election in Utah every four years from 2000 to 2016.

Election results (President of the United States), Utah 2000-2016
Year	First-place candidate	First-place candidate votes (%)	Second-place candidate	Second-place candidate votes (%)	Margin of victory (%)
2016	Donald Trump	45.5%	Hillary Clinton	27.5%	18.0%
2012	Mitt Romney	72.6%	Barack Obama	24.7%	47.9%
2008	John McCain	62.2%	Barack Obama	34.2%	28.0%
2004	George W. Bush	71.5%	John Kerry	26.0%	45.5%
2000	George W. Bush	66.8%	Al Gore	26.3%	40.5%

U.S. Senate elections, 2000-2016

This chart shows the results of U.S. Senate races in Utah from 2000 to 2016. Every state has two Senate seats, and each seat goes up for election every six years. The terms of the seats are staggered.

Election results (U.S. Senator), Utah 2000-2016
Year	First-place candidate	First-place candidate votes (%)	Second-place candidate	Second-place candidate votes (%)	Margin of victory (%)
2016	Mike Lee	68.2%	Misty Snow	27.1%	41.1%
2012	Orrin Hatch	65.2%	Scott Howell	30.2%	35.0%
2010	Mike Lee	61.6%	Sam Granato	32.8%	28.8%
2006	Orrin Hatch	62.5%	Pete Ashdown	31.1%	31.4%
2004	Bob Bennett	68.7%	Paul Van Dam	28.4%	40.3%
2000	Orrin Hatch	65.6%	Scott Howell	31.5%	34.1%

Gubernatorial elections, 2000-2016

This chart shows the results of the six gubernatorial elections held between 2000 and 2016. Gubernatorial elections are held every four years in Utah. Included in the table are the results of the 2010 special election called to fill the seat of former Gov. Jon Huntsman (R), who had resigned to serve as U.S. Ambassador to China.

Election results (Governor), Utah 2000-2016
Year	First-place candidate	First-place candidate votes (%)	Second-place candidate	Second-place candidate votes (%)	Margin of victory (%)
2016	Gary Herbert	66.7%	Mike Weinholtz	28.7%	38.0%
2012	Gary Herbert	68.4%	Peter Cooke	27.7%	40.7%
2010	Gary Herbert	64.1%	Peter Corroon	31.9%	32.2%
2008	Jon Huntsman	77.6%	Bob Springmeyer	19.7%	57.9%
2004	Jon Huntsman	57.7%	Scott Matheson	41.4%	16.3%
2000	Mike Leavitt	55.8%	Bill Orton	42.7%	13.1%

Congressional delegation, 2000-2016

This chart shows the number of Democrats and Republicans who were elected to represent Utah in the U.S. House from 2000 to 2016. Elections for U.S. House seats are held every two years.

Congressional delegation, Utah 2000-2016
Year	Republicans	Republicans (%)	Democrats	Democrats (%)	Balance of power
2016	4	100%	0	0%	R+4
2014	4	100%	0	0%	R+4
2012	3	75%	1	25%	R+2
2010	2	66.7%	1	33.3%	R+1
2008	2	66.7%	1	33.3%	R+1
2006	2	66.7%	1	33.3%	R+1
2004	2	66.7%	1	33.3%	R+1
2002	2	66.7%	1	33.3%	R+1
2000	2	66.7%	1	33.3%	R+1

Trifectas, 1992-2017

A state government trifecta occurs when one party controls both chambers of the state legislature and the governor's office.

Utah Party Control: 1992-2024
No Democratic trifectas  •  Thirty-three years of Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year	92	93	94	95	96	97	98	99	00	01	02	03	04	05	06	07	08	09	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	23	24
Governor	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R
Senate	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R
House	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R

See also

• United States House of Representatives elections in Utah, 2018
• United States Senate elections, 2018
• Orrin Hatch
• United States Senate election in Utah (June 26, 2018 Democratic primary)
• United States Senate election in Utah (June 26, 2018 Republican primary)

Footnotes

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Utah's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

John Curtis (R)

Mike Lee (R)

Representatives

District 1

Blake Moore (R)

District 2

Celeste Maloy (R)

District 3

Mike Kennedy (R)

District 4

Burgess Owens (R)

Republican Party (6)