Burkett announces candidacy for Congress; seeks to unseat Stewart

ST. GEORGE – A former vice chairwoman of the Washington County Republican Party announced Monday her intent to run for Congress.

St. George resident Mary Burkett said she intends to run for Utah 2nd Congressional District seat on the Republican ticket in 2018. The decision comes after a 90-day listening tour across the district, during which Burkett said she  heard the thoughts and concerns of prospective voters.

It’s obvious that there is an appetite for change, a genuine longing to get back to our constitutional principles of minimal federal government, individual rights and states’ rights,” she said in a statement.

Burkett added that she is not looking to become a career politician with a voting record that promotes self-interest over the interests of constituents.

Republican Congressman Chris Stewart, who currently serves as the 2nd district’s representative, has a voting record that serves as an example of a self-interested politician, Burkett said.

“That he has announced that he is looking to run for the United States Senate is verification that he has been building a career in politics,” she said. “My goal is to serve.”

Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, speaks at the Memorial Day observance held at the St. George Cemetery, hosted by Lester Keate Post 90 of the American Legion, St. George, Utah, May 29, 2017 | Photo by Mori Kessler, St. George News

Stewart has previously mentioned to various Utah media outlets that he may consider running for Sen. Orrin Hatch’s seat should the long-serving senator decide not to run for yet another term.

Stewart has served as the 2nd district’s congressman since since 2013.

Earlier this year, Democrat Misty Snow, who ran against Republican Sen. Mike Lee in 2016, announced her intent to run against Stewart for the congressional seat.

Snow made headlines last year for being one of the first transgender individuals to be nominated by a major political party for Congress.

Born in New Jersey and raised in Southern California, Burkett is a graduate of the University of Utah and has lived in St. George for over a decade.

She has been involved in Republican politics in Washington County and across Utah, and currently serves as a member of the Utah Republican Party’s Central Committee.

Resources

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @MoriKessler

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2017, all rights reserved.

 

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7 Comments

  • Not_So_Much September 19, 2017 at 6:43 am

    Well this IS good news! A Constitutional citizen who wants to serve and not just play along for their own benefit. She has my vote.

    • mctrialsguy September 19, 2017 at 10:03 am

      Yeah, mine too, and for the same reasons.

  • theone September 19, 2017 at 10:00 am

    I read her take on the issues of our times, and yup, she’s a typical republitard. Paranoid, delusional, and in denial of science.
    She’s a prime example of why the rest of the civilized world is laughing at America.

    • mesaman September 19, 2017 at 8:19 pm

      Instead of being a WHINO, why don’t you put yourself on the auction block and run for congress.

      • theone September 20, 2017 at 9:19 am

        I do my part by voting.

    • dodgers September 20, 2017 at 5:39 am

      Denial of what science? Be specific. “The rest of the civilized world is laughing at America?” The a really big claim. Please share your supporting facts.

      • theone September 20, 2017 at 9:26 am

        Climate, evolution, are just starters. If I have to give you a source to how the world thinks of us, then you are lazy.
        I belong to a few groups with members from around the world, and they have a low opinion our politics and religion, pretty much think we’re delusional.
        Go join one and see for yourself. You’ll need to find your own because the ones I’m in require you to be a forward thinking atheist or agnostic.

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