Republican Aimee Winder Newton said Tuesday current Utah State Auditor John Dougall would be her running mate for the 2020 gubernatorial contest.
Winder Newton is only pursuing the Republican convention path to the ballot this year. Dougall should help her in that effort as he’s popular with many Republican delegates.
Only two of the seven Republican candidates vying for the GOP nomination have not yet named a running mate. Thomas Wright has teamed up with retiring Rep. Rob Bishop. Jon Huntsman is campaigning with Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi. Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox picked retiring State Senator Deidre Henderson and Jan Garbett is working with physician Joe Jarvis.
Former House Speaker Greg Hughes and businessman Jeff Burningham are still without running mates for this cycle.
If Winder Newton and Dougall win the GOP nomination, Dougall would have to withdraw from the Utah State Auditor’s race. The Utah Republican Party State Central Committee would then get to pick a replacement nominee to fill Dougall’s spot on the ballot.
Winder Newton is seeking to become the first female nominated for governor by a major political party in Utah. Former Gov. Olene Walker was eliminated at the convention in 2004.
