Curtis Booker, Daily Herald

Inside of a crowded gym at American Fork High School on Saturday morning, Utah County Republican Party delegates elected Utah House Representative Brady Brammer, R-Pleasant Grove, to fill the Senate District 21 seat, replacing the potentially outgoing state Sen. Mike Kennedy.

Kennedy announced his resignation from the Utah Legislature in September ahead of a possible victory on election night that would send him to Washington, D.C., to represent Utah’s 3rd Congressional District.

In anticipation of Kennedy winning, the Utah County Republican Party had to work quickly in identifying candidates to fill the possible vacant seat, resulting in Saturday’s special election. The resignation would not take effect until Jan. 1, 2025.

The list of contenders included Brammer, Bill Lee (former Utah County commissioner), Diego Carroll (a civil engineer who resides in American Fork), Van Broderick (Lindon city council member) and Eric Vernon (an attorney who resides in Highland).

After a round of three-minute speeches where each candidate got one final opportunity to give their elevator pitch on why they should be chosen, and remarks from Kennedy himself, ballots were handed out.

Curtis Booker, Daily Herald

The party’s bylaws state that 60% or more of the votes is required to be elected.

If there were at least five candidates and none hit the 60% threshold, the three candidates with the most votes would move on to another round of voting.

The election spanned three rounds with the majority vote determining the winner.

Brammer won with 171 votes, about 62%, with Lee behind at 103 votes, or 38%.

Brammer currently represents the communities of Alpine, Cedar Hills and Highland in House District 54.

Curtis Booker, Daily Herald

The district contains most of northern Utah County including Alpine, American Fork, Cedar Hills, Highland, Pleasant Grove, Lindon and portions of Provo.

“I’m thankful for the delegates, for the time they took to come and vote and participate in the public process. They’ve given me a lot to think about and do, and I look forward to serving them,” Brammer told the Daily Herald after the victory was announced.

Before the ballots were cast, Brammer highlighted his time in the House cutting taxes, fighting for public land control and advocating for secure elections.

He also stressed the need to hit the ground running in the legislative session starting in January.

“You need someone with a plan to attack the scourge of activist judges,” Brammer told delegates. “In conclusion, while some have rhetoric, I have results.”

Curtis Booker, Daily Herald

While Lee didn’t win the election, he received a significant amount of cheers and applause when he gave his candidate speech.

Before voters made the selections, he also highlighted his time as county commissioner reducing taxes for Utah County residents and taking a stance on COVID-19 mandates.

“My philosophy is simple. … The government is instituted to serve you, but unfortunately, we know that the government tends to overstep its bounds, and people (government officials) are not held accountable,” Lee told the crowd of delegates.

Pending the results of the general election, Utah County Republican Party Chair Cristy Henshaw said Brammer’s vacancy will prompt the process of organizing another special election to fill his seat in House District 54.