2016 United States Senate election in Utah

none January 2026 April 2018 2016 United States Senate election in Utah Utah 2011 presidential no 2010 United States Senate election in Utah 2010 2022 United States Senate election in Utah 2022 November 8, 2016 150x150px File:Mike Lee, official portrait (cropped).jpg Mike Lee Republican Party (United States) 760,241 68.15% File:Misty Snow (30523743970 cropped) (cropped).jpg Misty Snow Democratic Party (United States) 301,860 27.06% 230px County results 230px Congressional districts results 230px Precinct results 1 220px Lee: #FFB2B2 40–50% #E27F7F 50–60% #d75d5d 60–70% #D72F30 70–80% #C21B18 80–90% #A80000 >90%Snow: #A5B0FF 40–50% #7996e2 50–60% #6674de 60–70% #584cde 70–80% #3933e5 80–90% #0D0596 >90%Tie: #d2b1d9 40–50% #ae8bb1 50% #808080 No data U.S. Senator Mike Lee Republican Party (United States) Mike Lee Republican Party (United States) The 2016 United States Senate election in Utah took place on November 8, 2016, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Utah, concurrently with the 2016 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. The primaries took place on June 28. Misty Snow won the Democratic nomination, becoming the first transgender woman in the history of the United States to become a major party's nominee for the Senate.https://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/misty-snow-plowright-transgender-congress-224921 Two transgender candidates named 'Misty' win primaries Nelson Louis June 29, 2016 June 29, 2016 Politico Incumbent Republican Senator Mike Lee won re-election to a second term in office.http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/2387-gop-delegates-give-rousing-reception-to-sen-mike-lee GOP Delegates Give Rousing Reception to Sen. Mike Lee Bob Bernick Utah Policy April 26, 2014 December 12, 2014 Republican primary It was thought that Lee, a Tea Party Republican, might face a primary challenge from a member of the more establishment wing of the Party following his role in the unpopular 2013 federal government shutdown, which caused his approval ratings to drop precipitously.http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/56980406-90/compromise-lee-monson-percent.html.csp https://web.archive.org/web/20131010022923/http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/56980406-90/compromise-lee-monson-percent.html.csp Most Utahns disapprove of Sen. Mike Lee, want him to compromise Robert Gehrke Salt Lake Tribune October 10, 2013 October 10, 2013 November 8, 2014https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/in-utah-tea-party-favorite-sen-lee-faces-gop-backlash-over-government-shutdown/2013/10/22/9754e782-3b25-11e3-a94f-b58017bfee6c_story.html In Utah, tea party favorite Sen. Lee faces GOP backlash over government shutdown Philip Rucker The Washington Post October 22, 2013 November 8, 2014http://utahdatapoints.com/2013/10/senator-lee-and-the-shutdown Senator Lee and the Shutdown Quin Monson Utah Data Points October 9, 2013 November 8, 2014https://www.politico.com/story/2014/12/mike-lee-tea-party-2016-elections-113730.html Tea partier braces for primary challenge from the establishment Manu Raju Politico December 22, 2014 December 22, 2014 However, since that time, his approval ratings rose significantly.http://www.sltrib.com/info/staff/1628568-155/lee-poll-percent-utah-sltrib-burbank Poll shows rebound in Utah's Sen. Mike Lee's approval rating MATT CANHAM The Salt Lake Tribune September 29, 2014 April 14, 2015 Changes to Utah's primary system could adversely affect Lee's chances at renomination.http://www.sltrib.com/home/1933728-155/mike-lee-could-be-vulnerable-if?fullpage=1 Mike Lee could be vulnerable if Count My Vote changes stick Robert Gehrke The Salt Lake Tribune December 11, 2014 December 12, 2014 Presently, Utah political parties hold conventions, where delegates attend and vote for candidates. Only if a candidate fails to gain at least 60% of the vote do the top two finishers proceed to a statewide primary election. In 2010, incumbent senator Bob Bennett finished third at the convention behind Lee and businessman Tim Bridgewater and was eliminated, with Lee defeating Bridgewater in the subsequent primary election. Lee's approval rating is much higher among the smaller group of more conservative convention delegates and a recent change in the law, backed by the group Count My Vote, allows candidates to bypass the convention by collecting signatures to advance to the primary. Thus, a less conservative challenger could challenge Lee in the primary, appealing to more moderate Republican and unaffiliated voters, who could participate in the primary. The constitutionality of the changes have been challenged in court by the Utah Republican Party. One possible challenger to Lee was former governor of Utah and former United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt, one of the founders of Count My Vote,http://utahpolicy.com/view/full_story/21048219/article-Bob-Bernick-s-Notebook--Could-Republicans-Challenge-Lee-From-His-Left Bob Bernick's Notebook - Could Republicans Challenge Lee From His Left? Bob Bernick Utah Policy December 7, 2012 December 12, 2014 September 2019 InternetArchiveBot yes though he eventually denied interest in running.http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/2723-a-2016-leavitt-campaign-not-likely A 2016 Leavitt Campaign Not Likely Bob Bernick Utah Policy June 9, 2014 December 12, 2014 An effort to draft Huntsman Sr.'s son, Jon Huntsman Jr., the former governor of Utah, former United States Ambassador to China under Barack Obama and a candidate for President in 2012,http://www.ksl.com/?sid=33501856&nid= Huntsman could run against Lee in 2016 Senate race, Republicans say Lisa Riley Roche KSL.com February 16, 2015 February 18, 2015 was unsuccessful, with Huntsman ruling out a run against Lee.https://www.deseret.com/2015/2/17/20558766/huntsman-i-won-t-challenge-sen-mike-lee/ Huntsman: I won't challenge Sen. Mike Lee Lisa Riley Roche Deseret News February 17, 2015 February 17, 2015 Candidates Declared Mike Lee, incumbent senator Declined Lane Beattie, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce and former president of the Utah State Senate A. Scott Anderson, president and CEO of Zions Bank Jason Chaffetz, U.S. Representative Spencer Cox, Lieutenant Governor of UtahAbby Livingston Next Utah Races to Watch Are for Senate http://www.rollcall.com/news/next_utah_races_to_watch_are_for_senate-231890-1.html April 3, 2014 Roll Call April 2, 2014http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/4563-poll-herbert-s-approval-ratings-remain-high-lt-gov-cox-remains-unknown Poll: Herbert's Approval Ratings Remain High; Lt. Gov. Cox Relatively Unknown Utah Policy Bernick Bob January 21, 2015 December 19, 2015 Alex Dunn, president of Vivinthttp://www.ksl.com/?nid=757&sid=34375527 Former Romney finance director courting challenger to Sen. Mike Lee April 25, 2015 April 27, 2015 Lisa Riley Roche KSL-TVhttps://www.deseret.com/2015/4/28/20563646/provo-businessman-declines-push-to-run-against-sen-mike-lee/ Provo businessman declines push to run against Sen. Mike Lee April 28, 2015 April 29, 2015 Lisa Riley Roche Deseret News Jon Huntsman, Jr., former governor of Utah, former United States Ambassador to China under Barack Obama and candidate for President in 2012 Kirk Jowers, director of the University of Utah Hinckley Institute of Politicshttp://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=34265299 Kirk Jowers leaves U.'s Hinckley Institute for job in private sector April 16, 2015 May 30, 2015 Lisa Riley Roche KSL-TV Mike Leavitt, former governor of Utah and former United States Secretary of Health and Human Services Dan Liljenquist, former state senator and candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012 Aaron Osmond, state senatorhttps://www.ksl.com/?sid=37488380&nid=148&title=newly-selected-ucat-president-declines-position-accepts-counteroffer Newly selected UCAT president declines position, accepts counteroffer KSL Jacobsen Morgan November 24, 2015 December 19, 2015 Sean Reyes, Attorney General of Utahhttp://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/sean-reyes-takes-oath-of-office-as-utah-s-top/article_8770f1e3-47d6-54c8-a0f0-e046d84b0736.html Sean Reyes takes oath of office as Utah's top lawman Daily Herald January 5, 2015 May 30, 2015 October 18, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171018084844/http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/sean-reyes-takes-oath-of-office-as-utah-s-top/article_8770f1e3-47d6-54c8-a0f0-e046d84b0736.html dead Josh Romney, real estate developer and son of Mitt Romney Lisa Riley Roche April 21, 2015 Josh Romney: I won't run against Sen. Mike Lee, but another Republican should http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865626952/Josh-Romney-I-wont-run-against-Sen-Mike-Lee-but-another-Republican-should.html https://web.archive.org/web/20150422170541/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865626952/Josh-Romney-I-wont-run-against-Sen-Mike-Lee-but-another-Republican-should.html dead April 22, 2015 Deseret News Chris Stewart, U.S. Representative Thomas Wright, former chairman of the Utah Republican Partyhttp://www.sltrib.com/news/2382612-155/mike-lee-could-be-a-lock Mike Lee could be a lock for re-election to Senate April 12, 2015 May 30, 2015 Matt Canham The Salt Lake Tribune Endorsements Mike Lee Individuals A. Scott Anderson, President and CEO of Zions Bankhttp://www.sltrib.com/home/2278413-155/sen-mike-lees-reelection-backed-by Sen. Mike Lee's re-election backed by Jon Huntsman Jr., Zions' Scott Anderson March 11, 2015 May 24, 2015 Matt Canham The Salt Lake Tribune Carly Fiorina, former CEO of Hewlett-Packard, 2010 Republican nominee for Senate in California, and 2016 presidential candidatehttps://www.deseret.com/2016/4/13/20586552/former-gop-presidential-candidate-carly-fiorina-endorses-sen-mike-lee/ Former GOP presidential candidate Carly Fiorina endorses Sen. Mike Lee Deseret News April 13, 2016 Organizations American Conservative Unionhttp://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/featured-articles/11195-Press%20Release American Conservative Union Endorses Mike Lee October 23, 2016 Club for Growthhttp://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/nov/12/club-for-growth-endorses-six-gop-senators-for-re-e Club for Growth endorses six GOP senators for re-election in 2016 The Washington Times David Sherfinski November 12, 2014 November 12, 2014 Senate Conservatives Fundhttp://www.senateconservatives.com/site/endorsements U.S. Senate Endorsements Senate Conservatives Fund May 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150513002148/http://www.senateconservatives.com/site/endorsements May 13, 2015 dead Democratic primary Candidates Jonathan Swinton was the first Democrat to announce his candidacy for U.S. Senate, filing on August 10.http://kuer.org/post/1st-run-against-senator-lee-washington-outsider-and-democrat 1st in Run Against Senator Lee is a Washington Outsider and Democrat Nelson Bob kuer.org August 17, 2015 April 28, 2016Details for Candidate ID : S6UT00238 http://www.fec.gov/fecviewer/CandidateCommitteeDetail.do?candidateCommitteeId=S6UT00238&tabIndex=1 Federal Election Commission July 3, 2016 The other candidates filing for the nomination were Craig Oliver, Jade Tuan Quoc Vo, and Misty K. Snow. Snow filed on March 3. Oliver withdrew before the state convention. Vo was eliminated in the first round of balloting.http://www.sltrib.com/news/3811556-155/weinholtz-wins-dem-nomination-in-utah?page=2 Weinholtz wins Dem nomination in Utah governor's race, says wife under investigation for pot possession Tribune Matt Canham The Salt Lake The Salt Lake Tribune en-US April 28, 2016 Swinton faced criticism at the April 23 state convention from delegates who said he was pro-life, a criticism based primarily on Swinton's September 26 op-ed in the Salt Lake Tribune in which he describes himself as a "conservative Democrat" and "pro-life" while also calling for "a full investigation of Planned Parenthood."http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/2987074-155/op-ed-shutting-down-the-government-is Op-ed: Shutting down the government is no way to lead Swinton Jonathan The Salt Lake Tribune en-US April 28, 2016 Swinton tried unsuccessfully to avoid discussing his views on abortion at the state convention. After two rounds of balloting, neither Snow nor Swinton received the 60% of the vote they needed to secure the Democratic nomination. As a result, the two faced off in a June 28 primary, which Snow won.https://www.deseret.com/2016/4/23/20587233/utah-dems-nominate-weinholtz-to-run-for-governor/ Utah Dems nominate Weinholtz to run for governor Leonard Wendy April 23, 2016 DeseretNews.com April 28, 2016 Declared Misty K. Snow, cashierhttps://elections.utah.gov/election-resources/2016-candidate-filings 2016 Candidate Filings - Lieutenant Governor's Office: Elections elections.utah.gov April 28, 2016 October 9, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161009084527/https://elections.utah.gov/election-resources/2016-candidate-filings dead Jonathan Swinton, marriage and family therapisthttp://www.sltrib.com/news/2847352-155/sen-mike-lees-first-challenger- Sen. Mike Lee's first challenger is marriage therapist Jonathan Swinton, an untested Democrat The Salt Lake Tribune Canham Matt August 17, 2015 August 19, 2015 Eliminated at Convention Jade Tuan Quoc Vo Withdrawn Craig Oliverhttps://elections.utah.gov/election-resources/2016-candidate-filings 2016 Candidate Filings - Lieutenant Governor's Office: Elections elections.utah.gov April 28, 2016 October 9, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161009084527/https://elections.utah.gov/election-resources/2016-candidate-filings dead Declined Jim Matheson, former U.S. Representative Ben McAdams, Mayor of Salt Lake County and former state senatorhttps://www.politico.com/story/2014/12/2016-senate-races-113837_Page4.html 16 in '16: The new battle for the Senate December 29, 2014 December 29, 2014 Politico Cheney Kylehttps://www.deseret.com/2015/4/9/20562294/poll-josh-romney-would-be-a-tough-opponent-for-sen-mike-lee/ Poll: Josh Romney would be a tough opponent for Sen. Mike Lee Deseret News Riley Roche Lisa April 8, 2015 August 19, 2015 Doug Owens, attorney, son of former Congressman Wayne Owens, and nominee for Utah's 4th congressional district in 2014 (running for UT-04)http://www.ksl.com/?sid=35597154&nid=148&title=doug-owens-announces-another-run-for-congress Doug Owens announces another run for congress July 21, 2015 July 21, 2015 KSL News Roche Lisa Riley Polling A Dan Jones & Associates poll for UtahPolicy.com showed Snow leading with Democratic voters 33% to Swinton's 20%, as well as with independent voters, 23% to Swinton's 10%. The majority of the voters that were surveyed were undecided. The survey was administered from May 2–10, 2016 to 588 registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 4.04%.http://utahpolicy.com/index.php/features/today-at-utah-policy/9494-poll-most-voters-undecided-between-snow-and-swinton Poll: Most Voters Undecided Between Snow and Swinton Schott Bryan utahpolicy.com May 13, 2016 May 16, 2016 Primary results thumb|Results by county: Snow #2c5aa0 Snow—70–80% #3771c8 Snow—60–70% #5f8dd3 Snow—50–60% Snow/Swinton tie #999999 Snow/Swinton tie—50–60% Swinton #5fd35f Swinton—50–60% #0b280b Swinton—100% Democratic primary resultshttps://elections.utah.gov/election-resources Utah Election Official Results Utah Secretary of State October 20, 2016 Misty K. Snow Democratic Party (United States) 28,928 59.40% Jonathan Swinton Democratic Party (United States) 19,774 40.60% 48,702 100.00% Third party and independent candidates Bill Barron (Independent), candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2012 and candidate for UT-02 in 2014http://kutv.com/news/local/utah-sen-mike-lee-on-track-to-win-second-term-new-poll-shows KUTV August 11, 2016 September 2, 2016 Daniel Woodruff Utah Sen. Mike Lee on track to win second term, new poll shows Stoney Fonua (Independent American) General election Debates Dates Location Lee Snow LinkOctober 12, 2016Provo, UtahParticipantParticipantFull debate - C-SPAN Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report2016 Senate Race Ratings for November 2, 2016 https://cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings/139360 The Cook Political Report March 26, 2021 Safe R November 2, 2016 Sabato's Crystal Ball2016 Senate http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/2016-senate Sabato's Crystal Ball September 19, 2016 Safe R November 7, 2016 Rothenberg Political Report2016 Senate Ratings https://www.insideelections.com/ratings/senate/2016-senate-ratings-november-3-2016 Senate Ratings The Rothenberg Political Report November 3, 2016 Safe R November 3, 2016 Daily KosDaily Kos Election 2016 forecast: The final version https://m.dailykos.com/stories/2016/11/8/1593119/-Daily-Kos-Election-2016-forecast-The-final-version Daily Kos March 27, 2021 Safe R November 8, 2016 Real Clear PoliticsBattle for the Senate 2016 http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/senate/2016_elections_senate_map.html Real Clear Politics October 28, 2016 Safe R November 7, 2016 Polling Opinion polling for the 2016 United States Senate election in Utah.chart Opinion polling for the 2016 United States Senate election in Utah.tab 700px Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MikeLee (R) MistySnow (D) Other UndecidedSurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey November 1–7, 2016 1,479 ± 4.6% 60% 36% — 4%SurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey October 31–November 6, 2016 1,428 ± 4.6% 60% 36% — 4%CBS News/YouGovCBS News/YouGov November 3–5, 2016 762 ± 4.9% 69% 23% 2% 6%Y2 Analytics (R-Utah Republican Party)Y2 Analytics (R-Utah Republican Party) November 1–3, 2016 500 ± 4.4% 62% 22% 8% 7%SurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey October 28–November 3, 2016 1,327 ± 4.6% 61% 35% — 4%Monmouth UniversityMonmouth University October 30–November 2, 2016 402 ± 4.9% 61% 28% 5% 5%SurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey October 27–November 2, 2016 1,247 ± 4.6% 61% 35% — 4%SurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey October 26–November 1, 2016 1,057 ± 4.6% 61% 34% — 5%HeatStreet/RasmussenHeatStreet/Rasmussen October 29–31, 2016 750 ± 4.0% 59% 27% 5% 7%SurveyMonkeySurveyMonkey October 25–31, 2016 1,078 ± 4.6% 62% 34% — 4%HeatStreet/RasmussenHeatStreet/Rasmussen October 14–16, 2016 750 ± 4.0% 57% 25% 8% 10%Monmouth UniversityMonmouth University October 10–12, 2016 403 ± 4.9% 60% 31% 3% 6%UtahPolicy/Dan JonesUtahPolicy/Dan Jones September 1–9, 2016 605 ± 4.0% 60% 23% 7% 10%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling August 19–21, 2016 1,018 ± 3.1% 51% 21% 8% 20%UtahPolicy/Dan JonesUtahPolicy/Dan Jones July 18–August 4, 2016 858 ± 3.3% 57% 22% 9% 12%SurveyUSASurveyUSA June 6–8, 2016 1,238 ± 2.8% 51% 37% 4% 8% background:#cff Hypothetical polling border:solid 1px silver; padding:8px; background:var(--background-color-base); color:var(--color-base); with Jonathan Swinton Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MikeLee (R) JonathanSwinton (D) Other UndecidedSurveyUSA June 6–8, 2016 1,238 ± 2.8% 50% 39% 3% 7%UtahPolicy/Dan JonesUtahPolicy/Dan Jones March 23–April 5, 2016 600 ± 4.0% 54% 28% — 18%UtahPolicy/Dan JonesUtahPolicy/Dan Jones September 8–17, 2015 604 ± 4.0% 55% 25% 4% 17% with Jim Matheson Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MikeLee (R) JimMatheson (D) Other UndecidedPublic Policy Polling August 19–21, 2016 1,018 ± 3.1% 44% 37% 5% 14%UtahPolicy/Dan JonesUtahPolicy/Dan Jones March 30–April 7, 2015 601 ± 4.0% 48% 42% — 10% with Doug Owens Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MikeLee (R) DougOwens (D) Other UndecidedUtahPolicy/Dan JonesUtahPolicy/Dan Jones May 4–12, 2015 803 ± 3.5% 55% 36% — 10% Open primary Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror MikeLee (R) JimMatheson (D) BenMcAdams (D) DougOwens (D) JoshRomney (R) ThomasWright (R) UndecidedUtahPolicy/Dan Jones March 30–April 7, 2015 601 ± 4.0% 33% 20% 5% 8% 20% 2% 12% Results United States Senate election in Utah, 2016https://elections.utah.gov/Media/Default/2016%20Election/2016%20General%20Election%20-%20Statewide%20Canvass%203.pdf Utah Election Official Results Utah Secretary of State December 28, 2016 May 14, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210514145349/https://elections.utah.gov/Media/Default/2016%20Election/2016%20General%20Election%20-%20Statewide%20Canvass%203.pdf dead Mike Lee (incumbent) Republican Party (United States) 760,241 68.15% +6.59% Misty Snow Democratic Party (United States) 301,860 27.06% -5.71% Stoney Fonua Independent American Party 27,340 2.45% N/A Bill Barron Independent (United States) 26,167 2.34% N/A 1,115,608 100.0% N/A Republican Party (United States) By congressional district Lee won all 4 congressional districts.DRA 2020 https://davesredistricting.org/maps#viewmap::34e5ac82-d619-4402-963a-9d1118f318f7 2024-08-18 Daves Redistricting District Lee Snow RepresentativeUtah 1 1st 72% 23%Rob BishopUtah 2 2nd 63% 31%Chris StewartUtah 3 3rd 74% 22%Jason ChaffetzUtah 4 4th 63% 32%Mia Love References External links Official campaign websites Mike Lee (R) for Senate Misty Snow (D) for Senate Utah 2016 United States Senate