Utah Republicans divided in battle for Chaffetz's House seat
Posted August 13, 2017 7:00 am
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - The Republican race to fill the congressional seat abandoned by Utah's Jason Chaffetz is pitting the state's GOP establishment against further-right conservatives split over two candidates.
The winner of Tuesday's primary will be the overwhelming favorite in the November special election in a district where Republican voters outnumber Democrats five-to-one.
The GOP's more moderate flank has backed Provo Mayor John Curtis, a former Democrat, who initially was leading the race.
The more conservative wing is split between Tanner Ainge (aynj), son of Boston Celtics president Danny Ainge, and Chris Harris, a former state lawmaker backed by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz.
Veteran Utah Republican strategist Boyd Matheson says the race has tightened as Ainge and Herrod have stepped up their campaign attacks.
FILE - This June 17, 2017, file photo, former Utah lawmaker Chris Herrod, speaks with delegates before start of a 2017 special convention, in Provo, Utah. The Republican race to fill the congressional seat abandoned by Utah's Jason Chaffetz is pitting the state's GOP establishment against further-right conservatives split over two candidates. The winner of Tuesday's primary will be the overwhelming favorite in the November special election in a district where Republican voters outnumber Democrats five-to-one. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Associated Press
FILE - This June 17, 2017, file photo, former Utah lawmaker Chris Herrod, speaks with reporters during a 2017 special convention, in Provo, Utah. The Republican race to fill the congressional seat abandoned by Utah's Jason Chaffetz is pitting the state's GOP establishment against further-right conservatives split over two candidates. The winner of Tuesday's primary will be the overwhelming favorite in the November special election in a district where Republican voters outnumber Democrats five-to-one. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Associated Press
FILE - This July 28, 2017, file photo, Republican candidates John Curtis, left, Tanner Ainge, center, and Chris Herrod, right, participant in a debate at the Utah Valley Convention Center, in Provo, Utah. The Republican race to fill the congressional seat abandoned by Utah's Jason Chaffetz is pitting the state's GOP establishment against further-right conservatives split over two candidates. The winner of Tuesday's primary will be the overwhelming favorite in the November special election in a district where Republican voters outnumber Democrats five-to-one. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
The Associated Press
This Monday, Aug. 7, 2017, photo, Tanner Ainge, son of Boston Celtics president Danny Ainge, looks on during a fund raiser, in Orem, Utah. The Republican race to fill the congressional seat abandoned by Utah's Jason Chaffetz is pitting the state's GOP establishment against further-right conservatives split over two candidates. The winner of Tuesday's primary will be the overwhelming favorite in the November special election in a district where Republican voters outnumber Democrats five-to-one. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Associated Press
This Monday, Aug. 7, 2017, photo, Tanner Ainge, right, son of Boston Celtics president Danny Ainge, left, pose for a photograph during a fund raiser, in Orem, Utah. The Republican race to fill the congressional seat abandoned by Utah's Jason Chaffetz is pitting the state's GOP establishment against further-right conservatives split over two candidates. The winner of Tuesday's primary will be the overwhelming favorite in the November special election in a district where Republican voters outnumber Democrats five-to-one. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Associated Press
This Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017, photo, Provo Mayor John Curtis speaks during town hall meeting, in Lehi, Utah. The Republican race to fill the congressional seat abandoned by Utah's Jason Chaffetz is pitting the state's GOP establishment against further-right conservatives split over two candidates. The winner of Tuesday's primary will be the overwhelming favorite in the November special election in a district where Republican voters outnumber Democrats five-to-one. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Associated Press
This Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017, photo, Provo Mayor John Curtis speaks during town hall meeting, in Lehi, Utah. The Republican race to fill the congressional seat abandoned by Utah's Jason Chaffetz is pitting the state's GOP establishment against further-right conservatives split over two candidates. The winner of Tuesday's primary will be the overwhelming favorite in the November special election in a district where Republican voters outnumber Democrats five-to-one. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
The Associated Press
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