Skip to content

Shurtleff Launches Bid Against Utah’s Bennett

Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff (R) launched his 2010 primary challenge to three-term Sen. Bob Bennett (R) on Wednesday at a press conference at the Utah Capitol building.He also sent the announcement to his supporters via Twitter. “Time to stop the bailouts. Just launched my campaign for US Senate & restore fiscal responsibility in DC,— Shurtleff wrote. “Please donate at markshurtleff.com.—In recent months Shurtleff — who won a third term as attorney general last year and isn’t up for re-election until 2012 — has criticized Bennett for being a key Republican voice during passage of the $700 billion Wall Street bailout bill last October. Considering the strong conservative backlash against that piece of legislation, some Utah Republicans have said that the Shurtleff might gain traction in a primary if he successfully paints Bennett as a Washington insider.A National Research Inc. poll of 300 likely primary voters conducted earlier this month for Shurtleff showed the two men would begin the race in essentially a dead heat. Shurtleff also held a 78 percent/6 percent favorable/unfavorable rating. Bennett’s rating was 74 percent favorable to 19 percent unfavorable. The poll had a 6-point margin of error.That poll was in the field before Bennett’s camp launched an ad featuring former GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney — whose family has strong ties to the state and who is extremely popular there — expressing his support for Bennett.

Recent Stories

Capitol Ink | O Kevin! My Kevin!

Ireland allowed mental health abortion exception 30 years ago

State abortion bans bar exceptions for suicide, mental health

FDA delays menthol ban following lobbying war

House tees up censure vote for Rep. Jamaal Bowman over fire alarm pull

Framework appropriations deal elusive as session winds down