Republicans have three Utah lawmakers to replace, here’s how that happens
Sep 19, 2023, 5:00 AM
The Utah State Capitol is shown on March 3, 2023, in Salt Lake City. This year, there are eight seats open on the Utah State Board of Education, and 20 candidates are hoping to fill them. (AP photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
(AP photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
SALT LAKE CITY — Three Republican lawmakers have stepped down from the Utah legislature in the last month and replacing them now falls to Republican county and state parties. They submit a name to Gov. Spencer Cox after its delegates elect that new person.
Quinn Kotter announced he’s resigning on Aug. 18, 2023, due to the demands of the job, Jake Anderegg announced a resignation due to a significant personal job change, and House Speaker Brad Wilson is expected to announce a Senate run next week.
Party delegates elect the replacement
Because Wilson and Kotter are House members, their seats are filled in a special election by Davis and Salt Lake County GOP delegates, respectively.
State law says that “when a vacancy occurs for any reason in the office of representative in the Legislature, the governor shall fill the vacancy by immediately appointing the person whose name was submitted by the party liaison of the same political party as the prior representative.”
For a senator, Anderegg’s replacement will be picked by state GOP delegates because his senate district spans more than one county.
Utah law says that “the governor shall fill the vacancy until the next regular general election by immediately appointing the person whose name was submitted by the party liaison of the same political party as the prior senator.”
When are the party elections?
The following dates and locations have been decided on by the respective county, and state GOP leaders.
Wednesday, Oct 4th, 2023
Meet and Greet: 5:30 to 6:30 pm
Delegate Credentialing: 5:30 to 6:30 pm
Call to Order: 6:30 pm
Neil Armstrong Academy
5194 Highbury Pkwy, West Valley City, UT 84120
“State Senator Jake Anderegg has formally announced that he is resigning his senate seat on October 15th, 2023. The Utah Republican Party is holding a Special Caucus of State Delegates that live in Senate District 22, to elect a replacement senator to complete his term through 2024,” the Utah GOP website states.
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
Candidate Meet and Greet 5 p.m.
7 p.m. Election
Mountain Ridge Jr. High
5525 W 10400 N Highland, UT
- Brad Wilson
The date of the election is not decided yet. Wilson just made his intention to step down known publicly on Monday. Utah’s GOP Chairman, Robert Axson told KSL NewsRadio that the election in Davis County will likely happen in late October or early November so the seat can be filled when Wilson resigns, Nov. 15.
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