Republican Congressman
Chris Cannon of Utah lost his primary election to challenger
Jason Chaffetz, a 41-year-old first-time candidate. According to
Numbers USA, the only substantial difference in their policy positions was on open borders.
Cannon had supported, sponsored and voted for several pieces of legislation aimed at amnesty for illegal aliens. Evidently, the Republican voters of Utah have had enough, because they ousted him in a landslide. Challenger Chaffetz beat Cannon 60-40%.
Americans for Better Immigration’s
candidate scorecard outlines the differences between Cannon and Chaffetz. The scorecard makes clear the strong differences on the issue of illegal immigration. Chaffetz takes a hard line, while Cannon supports amnesty, in-state tuition for illegals and chain migration while opposing funding cuts to sanctuary cities.
Were one to judge strictly by the ubiquitous news broadcasts of the mainstream media, the illegal immigration problem would appear to have vanished, but clearly the voters haven’t forgotten. Utah’s primary elections are early. Cannon’s defeat could be a bellwether signaling an uprising of conservative voters around the nation. Time will tell.