Sen. Mike Lee faces his first test of 2022 in Utah’s Republican primary on Tuesday, where he’s being challenged by two well-funded opponents in a race that should offer insight into whether loyalty to former President Donald Trump remains a litmus test for Republican voters.
Former state lawmaker Becky Edwards and businesswoman Ally Isom — neither of whom voted for Trump — have spent months on the campaign trail framing Lee as a divisive politician who cares less about governing than he does television appearances and his allegiance to Trump.
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After the leak of post-election text messages Lee sent to then-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, both challengers have argued he’s out-of-sync with political culture that residents here call “Utah way.”
The messages showed Lee discussing tactics to challenge the 2020 election result. The attorney-turned-senator first encouraged Trump advisers to embrace conspiracy theorist attorney Sidney Powell and later referenced his discussions with lawmakers in battleground states about appointing competing slates of electors to act contrary to the results.
Lee has responded to the texts by saying that he only encouraged Trump’s team explore available legal remedies and noting that he ultimately voted to certify the results on January 6, 2021.
Isom has positioned herself as a conservative alternative to Lee, saying she agrees with his positions on most issues, yet disapproves of his uncompromising approach to governance.
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Edwards similarly disapproves of Lee’s approach but has also staked out more moderate positions on key issues; She’s rebuked Donald Trump for continuing to spread disproven claims of election fraud two years after the 2020 election and said she disagrees with the US Supreme Court’s decision to revisit Roe v. Wade and abortion rights.
Lee has mostly remained above the fray and not responded to the intraparty attacks. He’s instead highlighted his steadfast support for conservative principles and focusing on tried-and-true rhetoric about the US constitution and criticisms of federal overreach.