Utah Senate Candidate Advocates for Sen. Paul to be Next GOP Leader

A Utah mayor seeking the state’s GOP nomination to replace Mitt Romney in the U.S. Senate has endorsed Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell as the upper chamber’s top Republican.

Trent Staggs, who has been the mayor of Riverton, Utah, since 2017, which is about 20 miles south of Salt Lake City, stated to Newsmax that Paul is a lawmaker who understands “federalism” and “America First.”

“The idea of Rand Paul leading Republicans in the Senate should excite every freedom supporter in America,” Staggs expressed. “The two-party system has caused significant harm to our country, and it’s time for a change. We need someone who grasps federalism, someone who prioritizes America, someone who comprehends that we must address our issues domestically instead of getting involved in nation-building. We need Rand Paul.”

Staggs is competing in a four-way race for the GOP Senate nomination to replace Romney, who is not seeking re-election. Other contenders include Rep. John Curtis; lawyer Brent Hatch, whose father Orrin Hatch served 42 years in the Senate; and Brad Wilson, a former speaker of the Utah House. The U.S. Senate primary in Utah is scheduled for June 25.

Paul also gained an endorsement to replace McConnell from independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who stated in a Feb. 29 tweet on X that Paul “would be an extraordinary successor. He has demonstrated sound judgment and possesses the determination to prioritize hardworking Americans.”

McConnell, 82, announced last month his intent to step down in November after serving as the Senate’s top Republican for almost 17 years, although he did not confirm if he will run for re-election in 2026. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas and Sen. John Thune of South Dakota are among those who have expressed interest in replacing McConnell.

Paul has not yet shown interest, but in a tweet on X on Friday, he mentioned: “Numerous individuals have been inquiring if I’d run for Senate leadership.” In another tweet, he conducted a poll asking followers who they would prefer to see replace McConnell, with the options being himself, Cornyn, and Thune. As of 6:30 p.m. Friday, Paul was leading with 96.5% of the 94,128 votes, while Thune and Cornyn were tied at 1.9% each.