On Friday the Mitt Romney and Mike Kennedy Senate campaigns touted support from fellow Utah politicians. Kennedy listed support from fellow lawmakers, while Romney picked up support from Gov. Gary Herbert.
Kennedy released a slate of endorsements from his fellow lawmakers, but one may not be what it seems. The Salt Lake Tribune reported on Friday that Rep. Scott Chew, R-Jensen, did not endorse Kennedy in this month’s GOP Senate primary election, but was listed on Kennedy’s slate of endorsements.
Kennedy did not respond to UtahPolicy.com’s requests for comment.
Meanwhile, Gov. Gary Herbert has endorsed Romney in the primary election. That should not be a surprise as Herbert has been in Romney’s corner almost from the start, playing a part in recruiting the former GOP presidential nominee to run for the seat being vacated by Sen. Orrin Hatch who is retiring at the end of this term.
Herbert sent a letter to the Romney campaign earlier this week offering his endorsement.
“No candidate is better prepared to represent Utah in the United States Senate than Mitt Romney,” said Herbert’s letter. “His experience, integrity, and judgment are precisely what Washington, D.C., needs right now. His national profile will give him a seat at the leadership table immediately. That is why I urged him to seek this seat, and that is why I am voting for him to represent Utah.”
Herbert getting involved in the race is not without precedent. He endorsed then Provo Mayor John Curtis in last year’s special 3rd District Congressional race.
A spokesperson for Herbert confirmed the Romney endorsement.
