Utah lawmakers eye law change to speed up replacing Rep. Chris Stewart

In a file photo, Rep.Chris Stewart, R-Utah, speaks to constituents at a town hall meeting in Hurricane, Utah, Aug. 5, 2019 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News

SALT LAKE CITY — If legislative leaders want to speed up the process of finding a replacement for Rep. Chris Stewart, they’ll most likely have to take action next week. But, several things have to happen first.

Stewart announced he was resigning from the U.S. House seat he’s held since 2012 last week, a day after The Salt Lake Tribune first reported his plans to step down. The congressman has not yet given a timeline for his departure but said he did not plan to leave before September due to upcoming votes. Congress does not meet for the entire month of August.

Even though Stewart doesn’t plan on leaving until this fall, picking his successor begins once he submits his resignation letter — which hasn’t happened yet. At that point, Gov. Spencer Cox has seven days to issue a proclamation, setting the primary and special elections dates to fill the vacancy.

Under existing Utah law, Stewart’s seat could remain vacant until next March. Without legislative action, the primary election would be scheduled for Nov. 7, with the special election on the same day as the March 5 Utah Democratic presidential primary.

Read the full story here: SLTrib.com.

Written by BRIAN SCHOTT, The Salt Lake Tribune.

Copyright © The Salt Lake Tribune. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Free News Delivery by Email

Would you like to have the day's news stories delivered right to your inbox every evening? Enter your email below to start!