Republican candidates for Utah’s open US House seat split on aid for Ukraine

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — All five Republicans battling for Utah’s only open U.S. House seat agreed in a debate Wednesday that they see an urgent need to reduce federal spending, but only some said cutting military aid to Ukraine would be an effective way to achieve that goal.

The crowded pool of candidates is vying to represent Utah’s sweeping 3rd District, which spans the entire eastern border of the state and groups vastly different communities, from the winter resort town of Park City, to the urban center of Provo, down to the red rock recreation hub of Moab.

At the April GOP convention, state Sen. Mike Kennedy earned the official party nod for the seat U.S. Rep. John Curtis is vacating to run for U.S. Senate. But in a district that represents such a wide range of viewpoints and walks of life, Kennedy’s endorsement from delegates, who tend to lean farther right than Republican voters, may not be enough to carry him through the June 25 primary.

He was joined on the debate stage Wednesday by four candidates who had already guaranteed their spots in the primary ballot before the convention by gathering signatures.

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