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.
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 in 2020 Benjamin Davis
Withdrawn Brendan Wright, a now former area planning manager for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (endorsed Edwards)
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
Polling Graphical summary
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error EvanBarlow LoyBrunson BeckyEdwards JeremyFriedbaum LairdHamblin AllyIsom TyroneJensen MikeLee BrendanWright Other UndecidedDan Jones & AssociatesDan Jones & AssociatesMay 7–13, 2022503 (LV)± 4.3%––19%––6%–49%––26%Dan Jones & AssociatesDan Jones & AssociatesMarch 9–21, 2022484 (LV)± 4.5%6%1%19%2%1%4%–67%–––OH Predictive InsightsFebruary 7–14, 2022366 (RV)± 5.1%––5%––2%2%51%2%–37%Dan Jones & AssociatesDan Jones & AssociatesOctober 14–21, 2021469 (LV)± 4.5%––7%––2%–53%–6%32%OH Predictive InsightsOH Predictive InsightsAugust 2–8, 2021337 (RV)± 5.3%––3%––2%–45%3%–48%RMG ResearchRMG ResearchJune 24–25, 2021587 (LV)± 4.0%––11%––––47%–8%33%
Results Convention State Republican Convention results, 2022CandidateFirst ballotPct. 2,621 70.74% 436 11.77% 358 9.66% 132 3.56% 75 2.02% 71 1.92% 12 0.32% Total
Primary
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 (2019–2021) (endorsed McMullin) Steve Schmidt, political commentator for MSNBC, founder of The Lincoln Project, and former Republican political strategist
Endorsements
Polling
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error AllenGlines NicholasMitchell SteveSchmidt AustinSearle KaelWeston UndecidedOH Predictive InsightsFebruary 7–14, 2022110 (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.
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 SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report August 18, 2022 Inside Elections September 9, 2022 Sabato's Crystal Ball June 15, 2022Politico April 1, 2022RCP November 5, 2022Fox News September 20, 2022DDHQJuly 20, 2022538 September 22, 2022The EconomistSeptember 7, 2022
Endorsements
Polling Aggregate polls Source of pollaggregationDatesadministeredDatesupdated MikeLee (R) EvanMcMullin (I) UndecidedMarginFiveThirtyEightFiveThirtyEightJune 15 – November 8, 2022November 8, 202248.5%38.7%12.8%Lee +9.8270towin270towinOctober 31 – November 1, 2022November 8, 202248.0%36.7%15.3%Lee +11.3Average48.2%37.7%14.1%Lee +10.5 Graphical summary
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error MikeLee (R) EvanMcMullin (I) Other UndecidedHill Research Consultants (I)Hill Research Consultants (I)October 29–30, 2022500 (LV)–47%46%––Emerson CollegeEmerson CollegeOctober 25–28, 2022825 (LV)± 3.3%49%39%9%4%50%40%11%–OH Predictive InsightsOctober 25–27, 2022600 (LV)± 4.0%53%34%4%9%Hill Research Consultants (I)Hill Research Consultants (I)October 8–11, 2022500 (LV)–43%49%4%4%42%46%4%8%Kurt Jetta (I)Kurt Jetta (I)October 4–11, 2022406 (RV)± 3.5%38%37%–26%239 (LV)50%38%–12%OH Predictive InsightsOctober 5–6, 2022483 (LV)± 4.5%47%32%5%16%Dan Jones & AssociatesDan Jones & AssociatesOctober 3–6, 2022801 (RV)± 3.5%41%37%8%12%773 (LV)42%37%8%12%Dan Jones & AssociatesDan Jones & AssociatesSeptember 3–21, 2022815 (RV)± 3.4%36%34%13%16%786 (LV)37%34%13%16%Lighthouse ResearchLighthouse ResearchAugust 30 – September 13, 2022509 (LV)± 4.4%48%37%10%5%Kurt Jetta (I)Kurt Jetta (I)September 1–8, 2022474 (RV)± 3.5%40%37%–23%239 (LV)43%39%–18%Impact Research (I)Impact Research (I)August 29 – September 1, 2022800 (LV)± 3.5%46%47%–7%WPA Intelligence (R)WPA Intelligence (R)August 4–5, 2022500 (LV)–50%32%6%12%Dan Jones & AssociatesDan Jones & AssociatesJuly 13–18, 2022801 (RV)± 3.5%41%36%14%8%WPA Intelligence (R)WPA Intelligence (R)July 12–14, 2022529 (LV)± 4.3%49%35%10%5%Kurt Jetta (I)July 12, 2022561 (A)± 4.1%43%32%–26%434 (RV)± 4.7%44%34%–22%213 (LV)± 6.7%50%36%–15%WPA Intelligence (R)WPA Intelligence (R)June 14–16, 2022300 (LV)± 5.7%52%33%–15%Dan Jones & AssociatesDan Jones & AssociatesMay 24 – June 15, 2022803 (RV)± 3.5%41%35%4%20%Dan Jones & AssociatesDan Jones & AssociatesMay 24 – June 4, 2022810 (RV)± 3.5%41%37%4%19%Kurt Jetta (I)March 5, 2022683 (A)± 3.7%31%26%–44%– (RV)–33%27%–40%– (LV)–38%30%–32%
Becky Edwards vs. Evan McMullin
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error BeckyEdwards (R) EvanMcMullin (I) Other UndecidedDan Jones & AssociatesMay 24 – June 15, 2022803 (RV)± 3.5%31%29%7%34%Dan Jones & AssociatesMay 24 – June 4, 2022810 (RV)± 3.5%29%28%6%37% Ally Isom vs. Evan McMullin
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error AllyIsom (R) EvanMcMullin (I) Other UndecidedDan Jones & AssociatesMay 24 – June 15, 2022803 (RV)± 3.5%24%34%7%36%Dan Jones & AssociatesMay 24 – June 4, 2022810 (RV)± 3.5%23%34%7%36% Mike Lee vs. Kael Weston vs. Evan McMullin Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error MikeLee (R) KaelWeston (D) EvanMcMullin (I) Other UndecidedMoore Information Group (R)Moore Information Group (R)March 20–24, 2022400 (LV)± 5.0%49%13%25%1%12%Dan Jones & AssociatesDan Jones & AssociatesMarch 9–21, 2022804 (RV)± 3.5%43%11%19%3%24%OH Predictive InsightsFebruary 7–14, 2022739 (RV)± 3.6%34%12%24%–30% Mike Lee vs. Steve Schmidt vs. Evan McMullin Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error MikeLee (R) SteveSchmidt (D) EvanMcMullin (I) UndecidedOH Predictive InsightsFebruary 7–14, 2022739 (RV)± 3.6%36%11%23%30%
Mike Lee vs. Steve Schmidt Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error MikeLee (R) SteveSchmidt (D) UndecidedOH Predictive InsightsFebruary 7–14, 2022739 (RV)± 3.6%45%25%30%
Mike Lee vs. Kael Weston Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error MikeLee (R) KaelWeston (D) UndecidedOH Predictive InsightsFebruary 7–14, 2022739 (RV)± 3.6%45%25%30%
Debates + 2022 United States Senate general election in Utah debates Date Host Moderator Link Republican IndependentKey: Participant Absent Non-invitee Invitee Withdrawn Mike Lee Evan McMullin 1 Oct. 18, 2022 Utah Debate Commission Doug WrightYouTube
Results
By county
CountyMike LeeRepublicanEvan McMullinIndependentJames HansenLibertarianTommy WilliamsInd. AmericanWrite-inMarginTotalvotes#%#%#%#%#%#% Beaver 1,971 80.5541917.12331.35240.9800.00 1,552 63.42 2,447Box Elder 14,434 72.524,72523.744632.332761.3950.02 9,709 48.78 19,903Cache 24,588 58.5615,58037.101,2282.925861.4080.02 9,008 21.45 41,990Carbon4,26563.382,11431.422303.421191.7710.012,15131.976,729Daggett37775.7010921.8940.8081.6100.0026853.81498Davis66,38553.6352,80642.662,8972.341,6541.34360.0313,57910.97123,778Duchesne5,17082.2891214.52961.531031.6420.034,25867.776,283Emery3,26979.6071217.34701.70561.3600.002,55762.264,107Garfield1,79575.2652021.80331.38371.5500.001,27553.462,385Grand1,90140.94 2,421 52.142505.38711.5300.00 −520 −11.20 4,643Iron12,92374.663,75521.694372.521941.1200.009,16852.9717,309Juab3,88682.1471415.09701.48611.2900.003,17267.054,731Kane2,55369.7794625.851042.84561.5300.001,60743.923,659Millard4,27983.4170113.66881.72621.2100.003,57869.755,130Morgan3,66571.071,35826.33791.53551.0700.002,30744.745,157Piute69288.388210.4760.7730.3800.00 610 77.91 783Rich 844 78.6620619.20141.3090.8400.00 638 59.46 1,073Salt Lake144,93138.02 218,495 57.3213,9023.653,7800.99870.02 −73,564 −19.30 381,195San Juan 3,118 56.061,81532.633386.082895.2020.04 1,303 23.43 5,562Sanpete 7,829 78.261,91219.111501.501131.1300.00 5,917 59.15 10,004Sevier 6,411 82.461,15214.821201.54921.1800.00 5,259 67.64 7,775Summit7,30535.88 12,325 60.545532.721710.8440.02 −5,020 −24.66 20,358Tooele 13,371 60.577,48733.928093.664021.8250.02 5,884 26.65 22,074Uintah 8,905 82.191,55914.392031.871661.5310.01 7,346 67.80 10,834Utah 127,096 61.6772,23835.054,9492.401,7620.85550.03 54,858 26.62 206,100Wasatch 7,528 55.915,42940.323502.601571.1700.00 2,099 15.59 13,464Washington 49,420 71.1117,78625.591,5262.207691.1100.00 31,634 45.52 69,501Wayne 1,056 69.7541527.41261.72171.1200.00 641 42.34 1,514Weber 42,007 54.5031,26540.562,7563.581,0111.31360.05 10,742 13.94 77,075 Totals571,97453.15459,95842.7431,7842.9512,1031.122420.02112,01610.411,076,061 Counties that flipped from Republican to Independent Grand (largest municipality: Moab)