State Senate Majority Whip Dan Hemmert announced Wednesday that he would seek the GOP nod to take on freshman Democratic Rep. Ben McAdams in Utah’s 4th Congressional District, and he began his campaign by describing how the Trump administration had … hurt his business.
Hemmert talked about how his chain of dry cleaners, Red Hanger Cleaners, could no longer use their namesake red hangers because they’re made in China and affected by Donald Trump’s steel tariffs against the country. Hemmert said, “We do need a strong economy. We do need certain industries that we’ve lost and there’s value in having those industries. But in general, I do not support tariffs.” However, Hemmert still said he “like[s] the results of his presidency.”
Hemmert was only appointed to the state Senate in 2016, but he quickly rose through the ranks to become majority whip. However, Hemmert won’t start with much of a geographic base of support because almost 99% of his 14th State Senate District is located in the neighboring 3rd Congressional District rather than in this seat.
However, one prominent 4th District politician is enthusiastic about his campaign. Former Rep. Mia Love, who narrowly lost this seat to McAdams last year, previously said that she would run if she felt the GOP wasn’t running a strong candidate, but that Hemmert was someone she’d feel comfortable deferring to. Love reaffirmed Wednesday, “He was one I was hoping would get in,” but she said they’d need to “have another conversation” before she could decide not to run. State Rep. Jefferson Moss, though, made it clear this week that he’d sit out this race.
A few other Republicans are already seeking the GOP nod including former radio host Jay Mcfarland and former state GOP communications director Kathleen Anderson, while state Rep. Kim Coleman has filed paperwork to raise money. Utah Policy also reports that attorney Nathan Evershed is considering running as well. Evershed ran for Salt Lake County district attorney last year but lost to Democratic incumbent Sim Gill by a wide 56-44 margin.
Utah’s 4th District, which includes Salt Lake City’s southern suburbs, backed Donald Trump 39-32, while conservative independent Evan McMullin took another 22%. Last year, McAdams unseated Love 50.1-49.9, and he’s likely to be one of the GOP’s top targets this cycle.
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