Utah
Governor
Two candidates were on the ballot in yesterday’s Republican primary for governor – Governor Spencer Cox (R) and State Representative Phil Lyman (R).
Governor Cox headed into Tuesday’s primary without his party’s nomination after the state’s Republican Party nominated a more conservative gubernatorial candidate, State Representative Phil Lyman (R), at its convention in May. Although he lacked his state party’s official backing, Cox remains incredibly popular with Utahns, most recently boasting an 81% approval rating among voters who identity as Republicans. With 82% of the votes in, Cox has been declared the winner and has secured approximately 57% of the vote at this time.
Cox previously served as the lieutenant governor of Utah from 2013 to 2021 under Governor Gary Herbert (R), who appointed him to the position. His campaign is focused on his accomplishments from his first term, including securing tax relief and signing legislation on children’s privacy, parental choice, water conservation funding, and pay increases for teachers. During the primary reporting period running from April to June, his campaign received over $1.1 million in contributions.
The governor will face State Representative Brian King (D) in November, who was nominated by his party at the April Democratic Convention and did not face any challengers. King was first elected to the State House in 2008 and served as House Minority Leader from 2015 to 2023. His campaign priorities include lowering tax rates, promoting reproductive freedom, addressing water issues, bolstering gun violence reform, and increasing access to education. During the Convention reporting period that ran from January to
April, King’s campaign brought in around $170,000.
The Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball have rated this rate as solid Republican.
Attorney General
For the first time in a decade, Utah voters will select a new leader of the attorney general’s office following Attorney General Sean Reyes’s (R) decision to not seek a fourth term.
Derek Brown, Rachel Terry, and Frank Mylar competed for the Republican nomination. Brown emerged with the party’s nomination after garnering approximately 45% of the vote. While primary voters selected Brown as the party’s nominee, Mylar received the most votes at the state’s Republican convention, continuing the convention’s recent history of selecting candidates that are farther to the right than candidates chosen by primary voters.
Derek Brown is the former chair of the Utah Republican Party and former senior staffer to U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R). Brown previously served as a state representative from 2011 to 2014. He has received most of the Republican endorsements in this race, including state legislative leaders and Governor Cox. His campaign centers on First Amendment protections, energy issues, counteracting federal overreach, and holding big tech accountable for content moderation.
Following his party’s convention, Rudy Bautisa emerged as the Democratic candidate and will face Brown in November. Bautisa has worked as a criminal defense attorney for his entire career and has represented more than 5,000 clients. He previously ran for attorney general in 2020 as a Libertarian but was defeated by Reyes. Although he does not have a current campaign website, candidate interviews indicate Bautisa’s focus on responsiveness to the wishes of Utah citizens, law enforcement accountability, and careful consideration of lawsuits joined by the attorney general’s office.
State Treasurer
Going into Tuesday, Marlo Oaks (R), the incumbent treasurer, and Neil Hansen (D) had already secured their respective party’s nomination for the race.
Marlo Oaks has served as treasurer since 2021. Prior to assuming the office, Oaks spent more than two decades in investment management and investment banking. His vision for his next term is continued resistance of ESG, prudent management of Utah’s investments and AAA credit rating, defense of economic freedom, and continued economic growth within the state.
Neil Hansen previously served as a state representative from 1999 to 2011. He ran for state treasurer in 2016 but was defeated by a previous incumbent. Currently, minimal public information is available about Hansen or his campaign. In previous elections, including for governor, Hansen campaigned on a foundation of integrity, trustworthiness, and accountability.
Legislature
All seventy-five (75) seats in the Utah State House, and fourteen (14) out of twenty-nine (29) senate seats, will be on the ballot in November’s general election. Sixteen (16) house candidates and five (5) senate candidates faced primary competition. Twelve (12) incumbent representatives did not file for reelection to the house, with two opting to run for state senate seats and two for the governor’s office. One (1) senate incumbent did not file for reelection. Republicans are likely to retain their supermajorities in both chambers following the general election.
Colorado
All sixty-five (65) seats in the Colorado State House, and all thirty-five (35) senate seats, are up for reelection this year. Seventeen (17) house candidates and seven (7) senate candidates faced challengers in yesterday’s primary. Sixteen (16) house incumbents and eight (8) senate incumbents, including Senate President Stephen Fenberg (D), did not file for reelection this year. Democrats are slated to maintain control of both chambers following the general election.
New York
All one hundred-fifty (150) seats in the New York State Assembly, and all sixty-three (63) seats in the senate, are also up for reelection. Thirty (30) assembly candidates and five (5) senate candidates faced primary challengers. Thirteen (13) incumbents in the assembly, including Speaker Pro Tempore Jeffrion Aubry (D), did not file for reelection. Four (4) senate incumbents did not file for reelection. Democrats are expected to maintain strong majorities in both chambers.