Kennedy, who won the Republican primary in June to represent Utah’s 3rd Congressional District, announced his resignation from the Utah Legislature last month as he plans for victory — should he be elected to head to Washington, D.C.

Though, even if he wins, the resignation would not take effect until Jan. 1, 2025. But Kennedy indicated he wanted to give plenty of notice so the Utah County Republicans have enough time to fill his seat in Utah Senate District 21.

The Utah County Republican Party has been racing against the clock to identify candidates to replace Kennedy to represent most of northern Utah County in the district and prepare for a special election.

After a seven-day filing period at the end of September, six candidates eyeing the District 21 role were selected, though businessman Jon Anderson later dropped out of the race, according to Utah County Republican Party Chair Cristy Henshaw. The remaining five candidates are:

• Bill Lee, former Utah County commissioner, who was among the first to announce his intentions to run for Kennedy’s seat, according to an interview with the Deseret News last month.
• Rep. Brady Brammer, R-Pleasant Grove, who also made early indications of his desire to fill the role.
• Diego Carroll, a civil engineer and small-business owner.
• Van Broderick, who serves on the Lindon City Council and also is a small-business owner.
• Eric Vernon, an attorney who also works with small Utah County startups as an investor and advisor.

Delegates within the district have several opportunities to get to know each one of them.

On Wednesday, the Republican Party will host its second of three “Meet the Candidates” and debate events, to be held at Pleasant Grove Junior High School, located at 810 N. 100 East in Pleasant Grove, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

A previous event was held Oct. 7, and the final event is tentatively planned for Oct. 28 at a to-be-determined location.

According to the party’s bylaws, GOP officials had 45 days from the date that Kennedy resigned to hold a special convention to select a nominee, in addition to the filing period and a requirement to hold at least two party-sponsored events for delegates to meet and examine the candidates.

Henshaw said having additional events gives delegates ample time to vet each candidate before the special election.

“Our hope is that we give the candidates enough time to reach out personally to each one of the county delegates, but then also that we give them enough events that they can come and see them, answer questions and, you know, talk to them face to face if they want to,” Henshaw told the Daily Herald.

The Utah County Republican Party’s special election is set for Nov. 2 at American Fork High School.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that only five candidates are in the running for Senate District 21. John Anderson is no longer seeking the seat.