A Trump-aligned lawmaker received more votes in the Utah GOP convention than incumbent Governor Spencer Cox (R).
Governor Spencer Cox received 32.46% of the vote from delegates during the second round of voting while Rep. Phil Lyman received 67.54%, according to state delegate Aaron Bullen, who shared the results with the Daily Caller.
Cox, however, gathered enough signatures to make it onto the primary ballot, according to Utah Republican Party bylaws and Utah state law.
Utah's gubernatorial candidates must receive at least 28,000 certified signatures in order to qualify for the primary ballot or surpass the 60% threshold at the state convention. Cox received 28,006 certified signatures, according to the Utah state government website.
While Gov. Cox arrived to the stage at the convention he appeared to have a less than warm welcome while Lyman was met with loud cheers and applause, according to Fox 13 News.
“Maybe you're upset that I signed the largest tax cut in Utah history. Maybe you hate that I signed constitutional carry. Maybe you hate that I signed the most pro-life legislation in Utah history. Maybe you hate that I sent troops to the border. Maybe you hate the 60 lawsuits we filed against President Biden in this administration. Maybe you hate that we stopped DEI and ESG and CRT,” he said.
“Or maybe it's something much more cynical. Maybe you hate that I don't hate enough,” he continued.
Lyman was pardoned by former President Donald Trump in December 2020.
In 2015, he was sentenced to 10 days in jail and three years of probation after being convicted of trespassing. He was also ordered to pay $96,000 in restitution, according to the outlet.
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