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The Conversation
The Conversation
Politics
Luke Perry, Professor of Political Science, Utica University

Why the GOP’s battle for the soul of ‘character conservatives’ in these midterms may center on Utah and its Latter-day Saint voters

Utah Sen. Mike Lee, right, and his challenger Evan McMullin before their debate Oct. 17, 2022. AP Photo/Rick Bowmer

U.S. Sen. Mike Lee is seeking reelection in Utah – a typically uneventful undertaking for an incumbent Republican in a state that hasn’t had a Democratic senator since 1977. But he faces a unique challenger: Evan McMullin.

The former CIA operative, investment banker and Republican policy adviser left the GOP in 2016 because of Donald Trump. McMullin then ran for president as an independent, styling himself as a principled conservative, and won 21% of Utahans’ votes.

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