Outspoken Trump critic Evan McMullin launched his 2022 campaign against incumbent Utah Sen. Mike Lee on Tuesday, vowing to be a centrist voice in polarized Washington, D.C.
Running as a conservative-leaning independent, McMullin’s campaign promises to represent Utah residents better than “the extremes in Washington.” His campaign launch video recounts the history of his family, from fighting in the Revolutionary War to his grandfather’s service in World War II.
“America has reached another crossroad, with our streets on fire and our temple of democracy desecrated,” McMullin said in the video. “The extremes in Washington don’t represent Utah. They prevent us from governing ourselves, and they jeopardize our democracy. The result is crisis after crisis that never gets solved.”
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America has reached a crossroads. Extremism, division and conspiracy now threaten our quality of life and democratic republic. In Utah, we have a better way. It’s more compassionate, selfless and independent. That’s why I’m running to represent Utah in the U.S. Senate. Join us! pic.twitter.com/4DSS8jEeP9
— Evan McMullin ?? (@EvanMcMullin) October 5, 2021
Citing the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol and the violent protests in the wake of George Floyd’s death in summer 2020 as indicators of U.S. political turmoil, McMullin lists cross-partisan concerns — such as forest fires, water shortages, inflation, and the debt ceiling — as issues he wants to confront while in office. Instead of siding with Republicans or Democrats, he says he is a “patriot committed to defending our nation.”
McMullin is a former CIA operative best known for announcing a late-stage independent presidential campaign in August 2016 as an anti-Trump conservative. He won 21% of the vote in his home state of Utah, though only a fraction of the national popular vote. He endorsed now-President Joe Biden in the 2020 election.
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Lee, who has had an at-times rocky relationship with former President Donald Trump, was first elected in 2010 and is seeking a third term in 2022. The race is not expected to be competitive, as Utah is a solidly Republican state.
Representatives for Lee did not immediately respond to the Washington Examiner’s request for comment.
