AYESHA RASCOE, HOST:
Now we turn to an endorsement contest that is playing out in Utah's largest congressional district. It includes part of Salt Lake City and stretches all the way down to Southern Utah. Incumbent representative Celeste Maloy is backed by former President Donald Trump. Her rival is a political newcomer, Colby Jenkins. He snagged the endorsement of the state's senior senator Mike Lee, a far-right Republican. Saige Miller with member Station KUER in Salt Lake City brings us this report.
SAIGE MILLER, BYLINE: Gary Henderson is a registered Republican, like most Utahans. He voted for Maloy once, but not again.
GARY HENDERSON: Once she actually achieved office, she voted for things that wasn't standing with the Constitution. So, you know, she had a fair shake.
MILLER: Henderson specifically points out the Congresswoman's vote to reauthorize a key surveillance law known as FISA. Maloy says, she voted for an amendment that would have protected warrantless searches of U.S. citizens, but it failed to make it into the final bill. On the other hand, Jenkins...
HENDERSON: He impressed upon people that he is the more conservative candidate.
MILLER: This House race differs from the recent GOP contest over who should replace Senator Mitt Romney. There, voters overwhelmingly chose a moderate conservative. The Trump-backed candidate lost. Here in Utah's second congressional district, candidates are trying to prove who is more conservative. Both candidates received endorsements from powerful Republicans in the state. However, Washington County GOP Chair Lesa Sandberg believes Lee's early backing of Jenkins mattered.
LESA SANDBERG: I think Mike Lee's endorsement had a big effect. I don't think Trump's endorsement did. People had already decided where - how they were going to vote, and Trump's endorsement didn't change anybody's mind, I don't think.
MILLER: Henderson agrees. He believes Lee actually got to know Jenkins, whereas he thinks Trump may have endorsed Maloy for political gain.
HENDERSON: At some point, we have to start saying enough is enough. Like, we can't just have people continually scratching each other's back politically just for the sake of their own careers.
MILLER: And so far in this House primary, Lee's endorsement has been significant. The Associated Press says, the race is too close to call. Jenkins, a political no-name is down 214 votes, enough to trigger a ballot recount, and Jenkins says he will request one. He has until early next week to do so. For NPR News, I'm Saige Miller in Salt Lake City.
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