Utah Senate Voting Record: 2026 Candidates and Their Public Roll-Call History

The 2026 Utah Senate Race: A Roll-Call Research Opportunity

Utah's 2026 Senate election presents a unique landscape for opposition researchers. With an open seat—incumbent Mitt Romney announced in September 2023 he would not seek reelection—the race has drawn a wide field of candidates across both major parties. For campaigns, understanding the Utah Senate voting record of each contender is a foundational piece of competitive intelligence. Public roll-call votes from legislative service, whether at the state or federal level, offer a source-backed, verifiable record that opponents and outside groups can mine for attack ads, debate prep, and voter outreach.

This article provides a timeline-based analysis of the public legislative records of the declared and potential 2026 Utah Senate candidates. By examining what votes are on the record and what gaps remain, researchers can assess the opposition-research risk each candidate carries. The analysis draws on candidate filings, official legislative websites, and public vote databases.

The Open Seat: Context and Timeline

In September 2023, Senator Mitt Romney announced he would not run for a second term, setting off a scramble for the 2026 Utah Senate seat. By early 2024, several candidates had entered the race. The primary elections are scheduled for June 2026, with the general election in November 2026. This timeline gives campaigns ample opportunity to compile and analyze voting records.

The open-seat nature means no incumbent advantage in terms of a Senate voting record—but many candidates have served in the Utah State Legislature or the U.S. House, providing a rich source of roll-call data. Researchers should examine votes on key issues such as water rights, public lands, education funding, and tax policy, which are salient in Utah politics.

Republican Candidates: Voting Record Profiles

John Curtis (U.S. House, UT-03)

Representative John Curtis entered the race in January 2024. He has served in the U.S. House since 2017. His public voting record includes over 4,000 roll-call votes. Researchers would examine his votes on the 2021 infrastructure bill, the Inflation Reduction Act, and various appropriations measures. Curtis's record shows a mix of conservative and bipartisan votes—for instance, he voted for the Respect for Marriage Act in 2022, which could be a vulnerability in a primary. His votes on public lands and energy policy are particularly relevant given Utah's federal land ownership.

Brad Wilson (Former Utah House Speaker)

Brad Wilson, former Speaker of the Utah House, announced his candidacy in March 2024. His state legislative voting record spans from 2011 to 2023. As Speaker, he did not vote on every bill but had key votes on tax reform, education funding, and transgender sports bans. Researchers would focus on his votes on Medicaid expansion (he opposed it in 2018) and his support for a state-based health insurance exchange. His record on water issues is thin, as most water policy is handled at the state level with limited roll-call votes.

Trent Staggs (Mayor of Riverton)

Trent Staggs entered the race in April 2024. His voting record is limited to municipal council votes in Riverton, which are not as widely publicized as state or federal records. This creates a research gap: opponents may argue that Staggs lacks a record on major national issues, but he could also be harder to attack on specific votes. Researchers would examine his mayoral decisions on growth and development, which could be framed as fiscal or environmental positions.

Other Republican Possibilities

As of mid-2024, other potential Republican candidates include state senators and business figures. Each would bring a different voting record profile. For example, state Senator Dan McCay (if he runs) has a long record on education and election laws. Researchers should monitor candidate filings for new entrants.

Democratic Candidates: Voting Record Profiles

Caroline Gleich (Environmental Activist)

Caroline Gleich, a ski mountaineer and environmental activist, announced her candidacy in February 2024. She has no elected office voting record, which is both a strength and a weakness. Without a legislative record, she can define her positions freely, but opponents may use her public statements and social media history as a proxy. Researchers would examine her advocacy for public lands and climate action, which could be attacked as extreme in a conservative state.

Ben McAdams (Former U.S. Representative, UT-04)

Ben McAdams, who served in the U.S. House from 2019 to 2021, is considering a run. His voting record includes 1,200+ roll-call votes. He was one of the most moderate Democrats in the House, often breaking with his party on issues like the Green New Deal and impeachment. His vote for the 2019 USMCA trade deal could be a positive talking point. However, his vote for the 2020 CARES Act and his support for Obamacare could be used against him in a general election.

Other Democratic Contenders

As of mid-2024, no other major Democratic candidates have declared. The party's primary will likely feature a moderate vs. progressive dynamic, with voting records (or lack thereof) shaping the debate.

Comparative Analysis: How the Records Stack Up

When comparing the Utah Senate voting record of the leading candidates, several patterns emerge. Among Republicans, Curtis has the most extensive federal record, making him the most researched target. Wilson's state record is significant but less known to national audiences. Staggs's municipal record is thin but may contain local land-use votes. Among Democrats, McAdams offers a moderate federal record, while Gleich offers no legislative record at all.

Researchers should note that the absence of a voting record is itself a data point. Opponents may argue that a candidate without a record has something to hide, or that they lack the experience to govern. Conversely, a long record provides more ammunition for both attack and defense.

Opposition Research Framing: What the Records Reveal

For Republican campaigns, the key vulnerability is Curtis's bipartisan votes, which could be framed as "RINO" behavior in a primary. Wilson's record on Medicaid and taxes could be attacked from the right or left. Staggs's lack of a record makes him a blank slate, but opponents might use his mayoral decisions to paint him as a big-government conservative.

For Democratic campaigns, McAdams's moderate record could be attacked by progressives for insufficient action on climate or healthcare. Gleich's lack of a record could be used to question her readiness. In a general election, any Democrat will face attacks on their voting record (or lack thereof) from the Republican nominee.

Source Posture and Research Methodology

All voting records cited in this analysis are drawn from public sources: Congress.gov for federal records, the Utah State Legislature website for state records, and municipal meeting minutes for local votes. Researchers should verify the completeness of these records, as some votes may be procedural or voice votes that are not recorded individually. Additionally, candidates may have served on boards or commissions with recorded votes that are less accessible.

The competitive-research value of these records lies in their verifiability. Opponents can use them in paid media, debate prep, and direct mail. Campaigns that proactively review their own candidate's voting record can prepare responses and identify vulnerabilities before they are exploited.

Conclusion: Preparing for the 2026 Utah Senate Race

The 2026 Utah Senate race offers a rich field for roll-call analysis. As candidates' public voting records are compiled and scrutinized, campaigns that invest in opposition research early will have a strategic advantage. The Utah Senate voting record is not just a list of yeas and nays—it is a roadmap to the arguments that will define the election. By understanding what the public record shows, campaigns can craft messages that resonate with voters and neutralize attacks.