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SALT LAKE CITY — U.S. Sen. Mike Lee announced Thursday he is endorsing Republican Derek Brown in the race for Utah attorney general, saying Brown is "uniquely qualified to serve in this vital role."
Brown, a former chairman of the Utah Republican Party, was the first person to announce his candidacy Dec. 12, 2023.
"Whether practicing law together over two decades ago, serving as my deputy chief of staff, or leading the Utah Republican Party, Derek Brown has always been a passionate defender of the Constitution," Lee said in a prepared statement.
Brown, who is now campaigning full-time, was most recently an attorney and partner at a Salt Lake City-based lobbying firm. He has enlisted former Utah Gov. Gary Herbert to serve as chairman of his campaign for attorney general.
The endorsement comes a week before local caucuses select delegates to serve at the Utah Republican Party Convention.
Brown joins Rachel Terry, Trent Christensen and Frank Mylar as Republicans in the race for Utah attorney general, vying for the open seat of outbound Attorney General Sean Reyes. Rudy Bautista and David Carlson are the Democratic candidates.
Andrew McCullough has filed as a Libertarian candidate, Michelle Quist has filed as the United Utah Party candidate, and Austin Hepworth has filed as an unaffiliated candidate in the race.
Correction:A previous version stated Brown is currently an attorney at a Salt Lake City-based lobbying firm. He is no longer at that firm, but is campaigning full-time.
