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SALT LAKE CITY — State Sen. Mike Kennedy on Friday announced an exploratory committee for Utah's 3rd Congressional District seat which is currently held by Rep. John Curtis.
Kennedy, a Republican from Alpine, has served in the Utah Legislature since 2013 and represents a district that overlaps with Curtis' constituency.
"Our nation is at a pivotal moment, facing a staggering debt crisis, eroding freedoms, and a lack of common sense and civility in policy-making," Kennedy said. "I am exploring a congressional bid because now more than ever we need conservatives who can work with others to confront these issues head-on, bringing fiscal restraint, enhanced border security, and commonsense leadership to Washington."
In his announcement, Kennedy touted support from state Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, and House Speaker Mike Schultz, R-Hooper.
Curtis announced last month that he's considering running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Republican Mitt Romney, after Romney announced he would not seek reelection at the end of his current term. Although Curtis has not officially joined that race, former state Rep. Chris Herrod — who has challenged Curtis in GOP primaries multiple times — has also signaled an interest in the 3rd District seat.
Kennedy ran against Romney in the Republican primary for Senate in 2018.
Kennedy's announcement focused on his belief in limited government and his desire for "fiscal responsibility."
"We need to tackle inflation and the debt head-on, restore common sense to our national policies and ensure a safe, prosperous future for all Americans," he said. "We need leaders who will listen and always look to work with others, but aren't afraid to challenge the status quo and fight tirelessly for the values that make Utah and our country great."
Kennedy was the architect of a controversial law passed earlier this year that bans transgender surgeries for children and places an indefinite moratorium on treatments such as puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for minors.
Kennedy practices family medicine, and also has a law degree from Brigham Young University's J. Reuben Clark Law School.
Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified Stuart Adams as the Utah Senate majority leader. Adams is the Senate president.
