Top Utah Senate leader, other lawmakers trail challengers on big night for Democrats

SALT LAKE CITY — More than a dozen Republicans in the Utah Legislature have fallen behind their Democratic challengers, according to preliminary results early Wednesday.

This could threaten the Republican supermajority in the Legislature, as nearly 20 candidates in GOP-held seats currently trail their Democratic or independent opponents.

Among them is Senate Majority Leader Kirk Cullimore, R-Sandy, who was behind Democratic candidate Shana Anderson by more than 4,000 votes as of early Wednesday. Cullimore has been running to become Senate president after Stuart Adams was defeated in a primary election in June.

Besides Cullimore, the following incumbent GOP lawmakers were trailing their challengers by at least several hundred votes: Rep. Tiara Auxier, R-Morgan; Rep. Melissa Ballard, R-North Salt Lake; Rep. Jim Dunnigan, R-Taylorsville; Rep. Steve Eliason, R-Sandy; Rep. Ken Ivory, R-West Jordan; Rep. Jason Kyle, R-Huntsville; Rep. Anthony Loubet, R-West Valley City; Rep. Clint Okerlund, R-Sandy; Rep. Matt MacPherson, R-West Valley City; Rep. Jake Sawyer, R-West Haven; Rep. Jordan Teuscher, R-South Jordan; and Rep. Jason Thompson, R-River Heights; and Rep. Norm Thurston, R-Provo.

Additionally, if the results hold, at least two unaffiliated candidates could win seats in the Utah House of Representatives, flipping those seats from the GOP. Sergio Sotelo was up by more than 1,000 votes in the open race for House District 38, while Patrick Belmont was leading by more than 1,300 votes in House District 3 against Thompson.

Republicans currently hold a supermajority in the House with 60 seats compared to 14 held by Democrats. One seat is vacant, thanks to the resignation of former Rep. Trevor Lee, R-Layton, in September.

In the Utah Senate, Republicans hold a supermajority of 22 members, while Democrats have 6 seats and the Forward Party has one.

Sen. Emily Buss of the Forward Party is leading Republican Brooks Benson by 232 votes as of early Wednesday.

Another Republican seat in the Senate is at risk, as Rep. Jill Koford, R-Ogden, is behind by more than 3,400 votes as she seeks to replace retiring Sen. Ann Millner, R-Ogden.

Also in Weber County, former Democratic Rep. Rosemary Lesser is on pace to win back her seat, which she lost to Koford just two years ago.

Finally, in Salt Lake County, Democrat Benyde Walker is leading Republican Jake Hunsaker in the a bid to capture the seat currently held by Rep. Doug Fiefia, R-Herriman. Fiefia is ahead in his race for the Utah Senate.

You can find the full list of election results here.

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