Mike Kennedy Wins Another Term in Utah’s 4th District

Republican Mike Kennedy has won a second term representing Utah’s 4th Congressional District, the last of the state’s four congressional races to be called. He led Democrat Jonny Larsen by nearly 53% to 41% in results reported on November 5, with vote counting continuing across Utah.

Kennedy said he was grateful for voters’ trust and intended to work with others where possible while standing firm on important issues. He said he would take on the challenges of the next two years and continue advocating for Utah and the country.

The state’s legislative races pointed to possible losses for Republicans. Thirteen Democrats and two independents were leading in Republican-held Utah House districts by more than 100 votes, a shift that could end the GOP’s House supermajority, which had lasted at least 26 years. Results were still being counted.

In the Senate, Republican Majority Leader Kirk Cullimore trailed Democrat Shana Anderson by more than 3,800 votes. Utah Forward Party Sen. Emily Buss was behind Republican Brooks Benson by fewer than 200 votes.

Utah Supreme Court Associate Chief Justice Jill Pohlman also appeared set to retain her seat, with more than 76% of voters supporting her. Republican lawmakers and other party figures had urged voters to reject her retention after the court ruled against lawmakers in prominent cases involving abortion and redistricting. Pohlman was the only justice on this year’s ballot after former Justice Diana Hagen resigned in May.

Democrats’ Utah Gains Threaten GOP’s Long House Supermajority

Mike Kennedy’s reelection keeps a Republican in Utah’s 4th Congressional District, but the broader election results point to a major challenge to GOP control in the state Legislature. Democrats and independents were leading in 15 Republican-held House districts, potentially ending a Republican supermajority that had lasted at least 26 years.

The leads were narrow—more than 100 votes in each of the 15 races—and ballots were still being counted. Senate Majority Leader Kirk Cullimore, a Republican, trailed Democrat Shana Anderson by more than 3,800 votes. Utah Forward Party Sen. Emily Buss was also behind, by fewer than 200 votes.

Kennedy led Democrat Jonny Larsen by nearly 53% to 41%. He said he would work with others where possible and stand firm when he believed it mattered, while continuing to serve Utah and the country.

Voters also appeared to reject efforts by Republican officials to oust Associate Chief Justice Jill Pohlman. More than 76% supported retaining her, despite calls from Republican lawmakers and party figures to vote no. The court had ruled against lawmakers in high-profile abortion and redistricting cases. The results offer a clear reminder that judicial retention campaigns do not guarantee that voters will follow party leaders’ instructions.

Kennedy Holds Utah House Seat as GOP Faces Uncalled State Races

Republican Mike Kennedy secured another term in Utah’s 4th Congressional District, leading Democrat Jonny Larsen by nearly 53% to 41%. Kennedy said he would work with others when possible, stand firm when needed and keep serving Utah and the country.

The congressional win came as vote counting continued in state races that could reshape the Utah House. Democrats and independents were ahead in 15 Republican-held districts, each by more than 100 votes. If those leads hold, Republicans could lose a House supermajority they had maintained for at least 26 years. The outstanding results mean those outcomes were not yet settled.

Senate Majority Leader Kirk Cullimore trailed Democrat Shana Anderson by more than 3,800 votes. Republican Brooks Benson held a lead of fewer than 200 over Utah Forward Party Sen. Emily Buss.

Pohlman appeared likely to retain her seat on the Utah Supreme Court, with more than 76% of voters supporting her. Republican lawmakers and party leaders had urged voters to reject her after the court ruled against legislators in major abortion and redistricting cases. Voters’ apparent decision to retain her leaves the court’s rulings and the ongoing legislative contests at the center of Utah’s post-election political picture.