2022 United States Senate election in Utah

The 2022 United States Senate election in Utah was held on November 8, 2022, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Utah. Incumbent senator Mike Lee, who was first elected in 2010, won re-election to a third term, defeating Evan McMullin, an independent candidate who was endorsed by the Utah Democratic Party.

2022 United States Senate election in Utah

← 2016
November 8, 2022
2028 →
 
Nominee Mike Lee Evan McMullin
Party Republican Independent
Alliance Democratic
Popular vote 571,974 459,958
Percentage 53.15% 42.74%

Lee:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
McMullin:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      >80%
Hansen:      >90%
Williams:      >90%
Tie:      30–40%      40–50%      50%      No votes

U.S. senator before election

Mike Lee
Republican

Elected U.S. senator

Mike Lee
Republican

This was the first Senate election in Utah's history in which there was no Democratic nominee. Lee's performance was the worst for a Republican in a Utah U.S. Senate election since 1974, while McMullin's was the best ever for an independent in a Utah U.S. Senate race and the best for a non-Republican since 1976. This was the first Senate election since 1974 that Salt Lake County did not vote Republican.

Republican primary

Incumbent U.S. Senator Mike Lee won over 70% of the vote at the Utah Republican Party state convention on April 23, 2022. Though considered by the party to be its nominee, a primary was still held on June 28, 2022, after two other candidates garnered enough signatures to qualify.

Candidates

Nominee

  • Mike Lee, incumbent U.S. Senator (2011–present)

Eliminated in primary

  • Becky Edwards, state representative (2009–2018)
  • Ally Isom, business executive, former director of institutional messaging for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and former deputy chief of staff and communications director to former governor Gary Herbert

Eliminated at convention

  • Evan Barlow, assistant professor at Weber State University
  • Loy Arlan Brunson, candidate for U.S. Senate in 2012 and 2018
  • Jeremy Friedbaum, candidate for U.S. Senate in 2010, 2012 and 2018
  • Laird Hamblin, biologist, children's songwriter (running as write-in)

Did not file

  • Tyrone Jensen, political podcaster, candidate for U.S. Senate in 2018 and Utah's 2nd congressional district in 2020
  • Benjamin Davis

Withdrawn

Declined

  • Henry Eyring, assistant professor of accounting at London School of Economics and grandson of Henry B. Eyring
  • Erin Rider, attorney
  • Thomas Wright, real estate broker, chair of the Utah Republican Party (2011–2013) and candidate for Governor of Utah in 2020.

Endorsements

Mike Lee

Executive Branch officials

Organizations

  • American Conservative Union
  • Club for Growth
  • Eagle Forum
  • FreedomWorks
  • Gun Owners of America
  • Republican Liberty Caucus
  • Turning Point Action
  • Utah Republican Party

Polling

Graphical summary

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Evan
Barlow
Loy
Brunson
Becky
Edwards
Jeremy
Friedbaum
Laird
Hamblin
Ally
Isom
Tyrone
Jensen
Mike
Lee
Brendan
Wright
Other Undecided
Dan Jones & Associates May 7–13, 2022 503 (LV) ± 4.3% 19% 6% 49% 26%
Dan Jones & Associates March 9–21, 2022 484 (LV) ± 4.5% 6% 1% 19% 2% 1% 4% 67%
OH Predictive Insights February 7–14, 2022 366 (RV) ± 5.1% 5% 2% 2% 51% 2% 37%
Dan Jones & Associates October 14–21, 2021 469 (LV) ± 4.5% 7% 2% 53% 6% 32%
OH Predictive Insights August 2–8, 2021 337 (RV) ± 5.3% 3% 2% 45% 3% 48%
RMG Research June 24–25, 2021 587 (LV) ± 4.0% 11% 47% 8% 33%

Results

Convention

State Republican Convention results, 2022
Candidate First ballot Pct.
Mike Lee 2,621 70.74%
Becky Edwards 436 11.77%
Ally Isom 358 9.66%
Jeremy Friedbaum 132 3.56%
Evan Barlow 75 2.02%
Loy Brunson 71 1.92%
Laird Hamblin 12 0.32%
Total 3,705 100.00%

Primary

Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mike Lee (incumbent) 258,089 61.94%
Republican Becky Edwards 123,617 29.67%
Republican Ally Isom 34,997 8.40%
Total votes 416,703 100.0%

Democratic convention

The Utah Democratic Party state convention took place on April 23, 2022. Kael Weston was the only Democrat still running; however, the party endorsed Evan McMullin's independent bid in lieu of nominating a candidate, following encouragement from many prominent Democrats in the state, including former Rep. Ben McAdams and Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson, to back McMullin's campaign.

Candidates

Eliminated at convention

  • Kael Weston, former U.S. State Department official and nominee for Utah's 2nd congressional district in 2020

Did not file

  • Austin Searle, musician

Withdrew

  • Allen Glines, community activist and writer
  • Nicholas Mitchell, scientist and business owner (running for Utah's 2nd congressional district)

Declined

  • Ben McAdams, U.S. Representative for Utah's 4th congressional district (2019–2021) (endorsed McMullin)
  • Steve Schmidt, political commentator for MSNBC, founder of The Lincoln Project, and former Republican political strategist

Endorsements

Kael Weston

Statewide official

  • Paul Van Dam, Attorney General of Utah (1989–1993)

Polling

Hypothetical polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Allen
Glines
Nicholas
Mitchell
Steve
Schmidt
Austin
Searle
Kael
Weston
Undecided
OH Predictive Insights February 7–14, 2022 110 (RV) ± 9.3% 2% 5% 16% 2% 14% 60%

Convention vote

The Utah Democratic Party held a state convention on April 23, 2022, to endorse candidates for state offices. Supporters of independent candidate Evan McMullin, led by Salt Lake County mayor Jenny Wilson, introduced a motion for the state party to forgo nominating a Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate and to instead "join Evan McMullin's independent coalition to beat Mike Lee", contending that not doing so would split the anti-Lee vote in the general election. The motion was opposed by supporters of Kael Weston, the lone Democratic candidate for the seat who thus would have received the nomination had the motion failed. The delegates passed the motion by a 57–43% margin.

Democratic convention results
Choice Votes %
Endorse Evan McMullin 782 56.83
Nominate Kael Weston 594 43.17
Total votes 1,376 100.00

Libertarian convention

Candidates

Nominee

  • James Hansen, teacher

Eliminated at convention

  • Lucky Bovo

Independent American convention

Candidates

Declared

  • Tommy Williams, perennial candidate

Independents

Candidates

Declared

  • Evan McMullin, political activist, former CIA operations officer, and candidate for President of the United States in 2016 (endorsed by the Democratic Party, United Utah Party, and Forward Party)

Withdrawn

  • Evan Barlow, assistant professor at Weber State University (running as a Republican).

General election

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report Likely R August 18, 2022
Inside Elections Likely R September 9, 2022
Sabato's Crystal Ball Likely R June 15, 2022
Politico Likely R April 1, 2022
RCP Likely R November 5, 2022
Fox News Likely R September 20, 2022
DDHQ Solid R July 20, 2022
538 Solid R September 22, 2022
The Economist Safe R September 7, 2022

Endorsements

Mike Lee (R)

U.S. Presidents

Executive Branch officials

U.S. Senators

  • John Barrasso, Wyoming (2007–present)
  • Marsha Blackburn, Tennessee (2019–present)
  • Roy Blunt, Missouri (2011–2023)
  • John Boozman, Arkansas (2011–present)
  • Mike Braun, Indiana (2019–present)
  • Richard Burr, North Carolina (2005–2023)
  • Shelley Moore Capito, West Virginia (2015–present)
  • Bill Cassidy, Louisiana (2015–present)
  • Susan Collins, Maine (1997–present)
  • John Cornyn, Texas (2002–present)
  • Tom Cotton, Arkansas (2015–present)
  • Kevin Cramer, North Dakota (2019–present)
  • Mike Crapo, Idaho (1999–present)
  • Ted Cruz, Texas (2013–present)
  • Steve Daines, Montana (2015–present)
  • Joni Ernst, Iowa (2015–present)
  • Deb Fischer, Nebraska (2013–present)
  • Lindsey Graham, South Carolina (2003–present)
  • Chuck Grassley, Iowa (1981–present)
  • Bill Hagerty, Tennessee (2021–present)
  • Josh Hawley, Missouri (2019–present)
  • John Hoeven, North Dakota (2011–present)
  • Cindy Hyde-Smith, Mississippi (2018–present)
  • Jim Inhofe, Oklahoma (1994–2023)
  • Ron Johnson, Wisconsin (2011–present)
  • John Kennedy, Louisiana (2017–present)
  • James Lankford, Oklahoma (2015–present)
  • Cynthia Lummis, Wyoming (2021–present)
  • Roger Marshall, Kansas (2021–present)
  • Mitch McConnell, Senate Minority Leader (2021–present, 2007–2015) and Senate Majority Leader (2015–2021) from Kentucky (1985–present)
  • Jerry Moran, Kansas (2011–present)
  • Lisa Murkowski, Alaska (2002–present)
  • Rand Paul, Kentucky (2011–present)
  • Rob Portman, Ohio (2011–2023)
  • Jim Risch, Idaho (2009–present)
  • Mike Rounds, South Dakota (2015–present)
  • Marco Rubio, Florida (2011–2025)
  • Ben Sasse, Nebraska (2015–2023)
  • Rick Scott, Florida (2019–present)
  • Tim Scott, South Carolina (2013–present)
  • Richard Shelby, Alabama (1987–2023)
  • Dan Sullivan, Alaska (2015–present)
  • John Thune, South Dakota (2005–present)
  • Thom Tillis, North Carolina (2015–present)
  • Pat Toomey, Pennsylvania (2011–2023)
  • Tommy Tuberville, Alabama (2021–present)
  • Roger Wicker, Mississippi (2007–present)
  • Todd Young, Indiana (2017–present)

U.S. Representatives

  • Tulsi Gabbard, U.S. Representative from Hawaii's 2nd congressional district (2013–2021) and former vice chair of the DNC (Independent)

State officials

  • Spencer Cox, Governor of Utah (2021–present)
  • Ron DeSantis, Governor of Florida (2019–present)
  • Casey Snider, state representative from the 5th district (2019–present)

Organizations

  • American Conservative Union
  • American Israel Public Affairs Committee
  • Americans for Prosperity
  • Campaign for Working Families
  • Club for Growth
  • Eagle Forum
  • FreedomWorks
  • Gun Owners of America
  • National Federation of Independent Business
  • National Rifle Association - Political Victory Fund
  • Republican Liberty Caucus
  • Susan B. Anthony List
  • Tea Party Express
  • Turning Point Action
  • Utah Republican Party
Evan McMullin (I)

Executive Branch officials

  • Charles A. Blanchard, former General Counsel of the Army (1991–2001) and former General Counsel of the Air Force (2009–2013)
  • Charles Bolden, former Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (2009–2017)
  • Amy L. Bondurant, U.S. Ambassador to the OECD (1997–2001) (Democratic)
  • Aurelia E. Brazeal, former U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia (2002–2005), Kenya (1993–1996) and the Federated States of Micronesia (1990–1993)
  • Louis Caldera, former Director of the White House Military Office (2009) and former U.S. Secretary of the Army (1998–2001) (Democratic)
  • Patrick G. Carrick, former director of the HSARPA
  • Phillip Carter III, former U.S. Ambassador to Ivory Coast (2010–2013) and Guinea (2007–2008)
  • Judith Beth Cefkin, former U.S. Ambassador to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu (2015–2018)
  • Richard A. Clarke, former Assistant Secretary of State for Political-Military Affairs (1989–1992)
  • Thomas M. Countryman, former Acting Under Secretary of State for International Security Affairs (2016–2017) and former Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation (2011–2017) (Democratic)
  • Cindy Courville, former U.S. Ambassador to the African Union (2006–2008)
  • Richard Danzig, former U.S. Secretary of the Navy (1998–2001) (Democratic)
  • Greg Delawie, former U.S. Ambassador to Kosovo (2015–2018)
  • Gregory W. Engle, former U.S. Ambassador to Togo (2003–2005)
  • James M. Galloway, former Regional Health Administrator for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  • Sherri Goodman, former Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Environmental Security (2001–2003)
  • Rose Gottemoeller, former Deputy Secretary General of NATO (2016–2019) and Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs (2012–2016)
  • S. Fitzgerald Haney, former U.S. Ambassador to Costa Rica (2015–2017)
  • Bruce Heyman, former U.S. Ambassador to Canada (2014–2017) (Democratic)
  • Janet Napolitano, former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security (2009–2013) and former governor of Arizona (2003–2009) (Democratic)
  • Edward Angus Powell Jr., former president of the United Service Organizations (2002–2009) and former acting United States Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs (2000–2001)
  • Charles A. Ray, former U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe (2009–2012) and Cambodia (2003–2005) and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (2006–2009)
  • John C. Rogers, former deputy assistant secretary in the office of Secretary of Defense Les Aspin
  • Leslie V. Rowe, former U.S. Ambassador to Mozambique (2010–2012), Papua New Guinea (2006–2009), Solomon Islands (2006–2009) and Vanuatu (2006–2009)
  • Theodore Sedgwick, former U.S. Ambassador to Slovakia (2010–2015)
  • Emil Skodon, former U.S. Ambassador to Brunei (2005–2008)
  • Elizabeth Tamposi, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs (1989–1992) and former New Hampshire state representative (1979–1986) (Republican)
  • Michelle Thoren Bond, former Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs (2015–2017) and U.S. Ambassador to Lesotho (2010–2012)
  • Gregory Treverton, former chair of the U.S. National Intelligence Council (2014–2017) (Democratic)
  • Alexander Vershbow, former Deputy Secretary General of NATO (2012–2016), former Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs (2009–2012), former U.S. Ambassador to South Korea (2005–2008), Russia (2001–2005) and NATO (1997–2001)
  • Alexander Vindman, former Director for European Affairs for the United States National Security Council (2018–2020) and witness during the first impeachment trial of Donald Trump
  • James Donald Walsh, former U.S. Ambassador to Argentina (2000–2003)
  • Jack Watson Jr., former White House Chief of Staff (1980–1981) (Democratic)
  • Sheila Widnall, former U.S. Secretary of the Air Force (1993–1997) (Democratic)

U.S. Representatives

  • William Enyart, U.S. Representative from Illinois's 12th congressional district (2013–2015) (Democratic)
  • Adam Kinzinger, U.S. Representative from Illinois's 16th congressional district (2013–2023 and Illinois's 11th congressional district (2011–2013) (Republican)
  • Ben McAdams, U.S. Representative from Utah's 4th congressional district (2019–2021) and Mayor of Salt Lake County (2013–2019) (Democratic)
  • Karen Shepherd, U.S. Representative from Utah's 2nd congressional district (1993–1995) (Democratic)
  • Joe Walsh, U.S. Representative from Illinois's 8th congressional district (2011–2013) (Independent, formerly Republican)

State officials

  • Howard Dean, Governor of Vermont (1991–2003) and Chair of the Democratic National Committee (2005–2009) (Democratic)
  • Michael Steele, Lieutenant Governor of Maryland (2003–2007) and Chair of the Republican National Committee (2009–2011) (Republican)

Local officials

  • Jenny Wilson, Mayor of Salt Lake County (2019–present) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 2018 (Democratic)

Individuals

  • Clara Leach Adams-Ender, former chief of the United States Army Nurse Corps (1987–1991)
  • William D. Baumgartner, former Judge Advocate General and former Chief Counsel of the United States Coast Guard
  • Ronald R. Blanck, former Surgeon General of the United States Army (1996–2000)
  • Jonia Broderick, author and nominee for Utah's 4th congressional district in 2020 (United Utah)
  • Donald M. Campbell Jr., former commanding general of United States Army Europe
  • Peter Cooke, retired Army Reservist and nominee for Governor of Utah in 2012 (Democratic)
  • Mark Hamill, actor and writer
  • Gale Pollock, former Deputy Surgeon General of the United States Army (2006–2007) and former Acting Surgeon General of the United States Army (2007)
  • Clyde Robbins, retired U.S. Coast Guard vice admiral
  • Clayne Robison, singer and Professor Emeritus of Voice at Southern Virginia University (Republican)
  • Ann Tutwiler, former deputy director-general of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (2011–2012)
  • Juan Williams, journalist and political analyst for Fox News (Democratic)
  • Daniel P. Woodward, former director of regional affairs in the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs
  • Andrew Yang, entrepreneur, founder of Venture for America, Democratic candidate for president in 2020 and mayor of New York City in 2021 (Independent, Forward)

Labor unions

  • National Education Association
  • United Mine Workers
  • Utah AFL-CIO

Organizations

  • Country First PAC
  • League of Conservation Voters
  • Renew America Movement

Political parties

Declined to endorse

U.S. Senators

  • Mitt Romney, U.S. Senator from Utah (2019–present), Governor of Massachusetts (2003–2007) and nominee for president in 2012 (Republican)

Polling

Aggregate polls

Source of poll
aggregation
Dates
administered
Dates
updated
Mike
Lee (R)
Evan
McMullin (I)
Undecided
Margin
FiveThirtyEight June 15 – November 8, 2022 November 8, 2022 48.5% 38.7% 12.8% Lee +9.8
270towin October 31 – November 1, 2022 November 8, 2022 48.0% 36.7% 15.3% Lee +11.3
Average 48.2% 37.7% 14.1% Lee +10.5

Graphical summary

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Mike
Lee (R)
Evan
McMullin (I)
Other Undecided
Hill Research Consultants (I) October 29–30, 2022 500 (LV) 47% 46%
Emerson College October 25–28, 2022 825 (LV) ± 3.3% 49% 39% 9% 4%
50% 40% 11%
OH Predictive Insights October 25–27, 2022 600 (LV) ± 4.0% 53% 34% 4% 9%
Hill Research Consultants (I) October 8–11, 2022 500 (LV) 43% 49% 4% 4%
42% 46% 4% 8%
Kurt Jetta (I) October 4–11, 2022 406 (RV) ± 3.5% 38% 37% 26%
239 (LV) 50% 38% 12%
OH Predictive Insights October 5–6, 2022 483 (LV) ± 4.5% 47% 32% 5% 16%
Dan Jones & Associates October 3–6, 2022 801 (RV) ± 3.5% 41% 37% 8% 12%
773 (LV) 42% 37% 8% 12%
Dan Jones & Associates September 3–21, 2022 815 (RV) ± 3.4% 36% 34% 13% 16%
786 (LV) 37% 34% 13% 16%
Lighthouse Research August 30 – September 13, 2022 509 (LV) ± 4.4% 48% 37% 10% 5%
Kurt Jetta (I) September 1–8, 2022 474 (RV) ± 3.5% 40% 37% 23%
239 (LV) 43% 39% 18%
Impact Research (I) August 29 – September 1, 2022 800 (LV) ± 3.5% 46% 47% 7%
WPA Intelligence (R) August 4–5, 2022 500 (LV) 50% 32% 6% 12%
Dan Jones & Associates July 13–18, 2022 801 (RV) ± 3.5% 41% 36% 14% 8%
WPA Intelligence (R) July 12–14, 2022 529 (LV) ± 4.3% 49% 35% 10% 5%
Kurt Jetta (I) July 12, 2022 561 (A) ± 4.1% 43% 32% 26%
434 (RV) ± 4.7% 44% 34% 22%
213 (LV) ± 6.7% 50% 36% 15%
WPA Intelligence (R) June 14–16, 2022 300 (LV) ± 5.7% 52% 33% 15%
Dan Jones & Associates May 24 – June 15, 2022 803 (RV) ± 3.5% 41% 35% 4% 20%
Dan Jones & Associates May 24 – June 4, 2022 810 (RV) ± 3.5% 41% 37% 4% 19%
Kurt Jetta (I) March 5, 2022 683 (A) ± 3.7% 31% 26% 44%
– (RV) 33% 27% 40%
– (LV) 38% 30% 32%
Hypothetical polling

Becky Edwards vs. Evan McMullin

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Becky
Edwards (R)
Evan
McMullin (I)
Other Undecided
Dan Jones & Associates May 24 – June 15, 2022 803 (RV) ± 3.5% 31% 29% 7% 34%
Dan Jones & Associates May 24 – June 4, 2022 810 (RV) ± 3.5% 29% 28% 6% 37%

Ally Isom vs. Evan McMullin

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Ally
Isom (R)
Evan
McMullin (I)
Other Undecided
Dan Jones & Associates May 24 – June 15, 2022 803 (RV) ± 3.5% 24% 34% 7% 36%
Dan Jones & Associates May 24 – June 4, 2022 810 (RV) ± 3.5% 23% 34% 7% 36%

Mike Lee vs. Kael Weston vs. Evan McMullin

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Mike
Lee (R)
Kael
Weston (D)
Evan
McMullin (I)
Other Undecided
Moore Information Group (R) March 20–24, 2022 400 (LV) ± 5.0% 49% 13% 25% 1% 12%
Dan Jones & Associates March 9–21, 2022 804 (RV) ± 3.5% 43% 11% 19% 3% 24%
OH Predictive Insights February 7–14, 2022 739 (RV) ± 3.6% 34% 12% 24% 30%

Mike Lee vs. Steve Schmidt vs. Evan McMullin

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Mike
Lee (R)
Steve
Schmidt (D)
Evan
McMullin (I)
Undecided
OH Predictive Insights February 7–14, 2022 739 (RV) ± 3.6% 36% 11% 23% 30%

Mike Lee vs. Steve Schmidt

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Mike
Lee (R)
Steve
Schmidt (D)
Undecided
OH Predictive Insights February 7–14, 2022 739 (RV) ± 3.6% 45% 25% 30%

Mike Lee vs. Kael Weston

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Mike
Lee (R)
Kael
Weston (D)
Undecided
OH Predictive Insights February 7–14, 2022 739 (RV) ± 3.6% 45% 25% 30%

Debates

2022 United States Senate general election in Utah debates
No. Date Host Moderator Link Republican Independent
Key:
 P  Participant   A  Absent   N  Non-invitee   I  Invitee  W  Withdrawn
Mike Lee Evan McMullin
1 Oct. 18, 2022 Utah Debate Commission Doug Wright P P

Results

2022 United States Senate election in Utah
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Mike Lee (incumbent) 571,974 53.15% –15.00
Independent Evan McMullin 459,958 42.74% N/A
Libertarian James Hansen 31,784 2.95% N/A
Independent American Tommy Williams 12,103 1.12% –1.33
Write-in 242 0.02% N/A
Total votes 1,076,061 100.0%
Republican hold

By county

By congressional district

Lee won all four congressional districts.

District Lee McMullin Representative
1st 51% 44% Blake Moore
2nd 53% 42% Chris Stewart
3rd 52% 44% John Curtis
4th 56% 40% Burgess Owens

See also

  • 2022 United States Senate elections

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