POLITICS & ELECTIONS

Lee, other Republicans line up behind Cox as Lyman plans write-in campaign

Aug 14, 2024, 7:42 PM | Updated: 7:44 pm

Mike Lee. Photo: Carolyn Kaster, AP...

Mike Lee. Photo: Carolyn Kaster, AP

SALT LAKE CITY  — Utah Sen. Mike Lee drove a political stake into the ground Wednesday amid GOP infighting over the outcome of the primary election for governor.

“I will be voting for Spencer Cox in the general election,” Lee wrote Wednesday on his official campaign account on X, formerly Twitter. “Primary elections are where Republicans vigorously debate policy differences. The Primary is over. We cannot risk Utah turning into California. We must defeat the Democrats by uniting behind our fellow Republicans.”

This comes as Cox’s primary opponent, state Rep. Phil Lyman, R-Blanding, has said he will run a write-in campaign after losing to Cox and failing to get the Utah Supreme Court to overturn the election results.

Lee is not the only prominent Utah Republican to line up behind Cox over Lyman. Utah Republican Party Chair Rob Axson called a write-in campaign a distraction.

“The Utah Republican Party is fully committed to supporting Republicans up and down the ballot,” Axson said in a statement to KSL. “Any write-in campaign against our Party will only benefit the Democrat candidates whose extreme policies are out of step with Utahns.”

Further, state Rep. Kera Birkeland, R-Morgan, posted on social media this week that she will be supporting Cox after The Salt Lake Tribune reported that Lyman would prefer Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brian King to win the election over Cox.

“I cannot, in good conscience, support a candidate who would undermine the work I’ve been chosen to do,” Birkeland wrote. “Therefore, Brian King will not receive my vote, nor will I support anyone who aids in his path to victory in November.”

Lyman lost to Cox by nearly 40,000 votes in the June primary, but he has insisted he is the Republican Party’s true nominee since he defeated Cox at the GOP convention in April. Even though he lost at the convention, Cox had previously gathered signatures to secure a spot on the primary ballot.

After the election, Lyman did not concede but instead sued, asking the state Supreme Court to throw Cox and Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson out of office and invalidate the primary election results. Lyman also asked that he be named the Republican gubernatorial nominee on the general election ballot.

Additionally, Lyman petitioned the court to stop the printing of ballots for the November election until the court ruled on his lawsuit.

In an order Tuesday, the Supreme Court refused.

“[I]f a party seeks to be a qualified political party under Utah law — as the Utah Republican Party has — the party must comply with state law, including the requirement that members be allowed to seek the party’s nomination for elective office through signature gathering and/or the convention process,” the justices wrote.

Lyman’s campaign told KSL it plans to appeal.

After the Supreme Court issued its ruling, Henderson put out a strongly worded statement condemning Lyman and his post-primary actions.

“For all his talk of election integrity, Phil Lyman is the only candidate in the state who has actively tried to steal an election by demanding that the Supreme Court crown him the victor of a race he soundly lost,” Henderson said. “Every Utahn should be appalled by Lyman’s shameful disregard for the rule of law, the state constitution, and the will of the voters.”

Meanwhile, King – a Democratic state lawmaker running for governor – accused the Cox-Henderson campaign of “hypocrisy” for criticizing Lyman when Cox has endorsed former President Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential race.

“How many times will we have to point out that Governor Cox only stands on principle when it is politically convenient?” King said in a statement. “The Governor condemns election fraud and denial – except when it comes to Trump. His endorsement of the former president directly contradicts his stance on election integrity, leaving Utahns to wonder: does Cox have any firm principles at this point?”

Contributing: Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com

KSL 5 TV Live

Politics & Elections

FILE - Utah State Capitol. (KSL TV)...

Brian Carlson

Local federal worker feels discouraged at work due to nationwide flux

Many are being encouraged to quit, and for those who don't, they don't know if they'll have a job if they stay. One federal worker in central Utah has had enough.

10 hours ago

FILE - A thick haze hangs over Manhattan in New York on July 20, 2021. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, Fi...

Associated Press

22 states sue New York state, alleging environmental fund is unconstitutional

Twenty-two states sued New York state on Thursday, contending that a new law forcing a small group of major energy producers to pay $75 billion into a fund to cover climate change damage is unconstitutional.

12 hours ago

Utah's Capitol building during the 2025 legislative session on Feb. 4, 2025. (Andrew Adams, KSL TV)...

Daniel Woodruff

Proposal to ease eviction penalties in Utah dies in Senate committee

A Utah Senate committee voted to kill a proposal aimed at reducing penalties a renter can be required to pay when being evicted.

14 hours ago

Protesters in front of the Utah Capitol on Feb. 5, 2025 to protest President Donald Trump and Elon ...

Bridger Beal-Cvetko, KSL.com

‘We are the real patriots’: Utahns protest Donald Trump, Elon Musk outside Capitol

Hundreds of Utahns joined nationwide protests in opposition to President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk, one of Trump's top benefactors who has sought to gut federal agencies as a "special government employee."

15 hours ago

The Utah State Capitol stands in Salt Lake City on the first day of the legislative session on Tues...

Daniel Woodruff

No compromise: Utah Senate gives final approval to original version of labor union bill

The Utah Senate voted 16-13 to pass a controversial bill that bans collective bargaining for public sector unions.

18 hours ago

Jeff Kauffmann and other union members wait to hear discussion and voting on HB267...

Caitlyn Keith, Deseret News

Public labor union bill back to a complete ban on collective bargaining

After multiple changes were made to one of the most controversial bills of the 2025 legislative session, the latest House version of a public labor unions bill would once again completely prohibit public sector collective bargaining.

19 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

Lee, other Republicans line up behind Cox as Lyman plans write-in campaign