Utah results for every midterm race

The big story in Utah is Mitt Romney’s return to politics.

Former Massachusetts governor and presidential candidate Romney is vying for Sen. Orrin Hatch’s open Senate seat, and he’s strongly expected to win it. Romney is facing Salt Lake County Council member Jenny Wilson, a Democrat, and he’s consistently been leading her by double digits, according to numerous polls.

Even before he swept the Republican primary in June, Romney was far and away viewed as the favorite — so much so that Hatch had said he would retire if Romney committed to running. While he’s previously been a relatively vocal critic of Trump, Romney has notably taken a different tack since the launch of his Senate campaign.

Utah’s Fourth Congressional District could also be the scene of some fireworks and a possible Democratic pick-up. Cook Political Report has rated the district a “Toss Up,” and incumbent Republican Rep. Mia Love is up against a particularly strong Democratic challenger in Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams, who has been catching up to her in the polls.

Utah voters will also consider several key ballot initiatives that will determine whether patients can obtain a medical marijuana card to purchase weed through privately-run vendors and whether the state will decide to streamline a possible expansion for Medicaid.

Unsurprisingly, Republicans control both chambers of Utah’s state Legislature. Daily Kos rates it as a safe Republican hold.

President Donald Trump is not that well liked in a Republican state like Utah, perhaps because of the state’s strong Mormon bent. His disapproval rating is at 50 percent, according to Morning Consult.