Gubernatorial write-in drama: last Lyman standing

Incumbent Gov. Spencer Cox, left, talks with Utah Rep. Phil Lyman before Utah’s gubernatorial GOP primary debate held at the Eccles Broadcast Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, June 11, 2024. Photo: Pool photo by Isaac Hale/Deseret News

UTAH – Richard Kennedy Lyman and Carol Lyman, a mother-son duo who had been running as candidates for governor, have officially announced they are suspending their write-in campaign. This decision leaves only one Lyman—Phil Lyman—in the race as a write-in candidate.

Richard and Carol Lyman ended their write-in campaign after Phil Lyman filed a lawsuit earlier this month, alleging that their campaign constituted election interference.

The lawsuit alleges that Richard and Carol Lyman’s campaign sought to create voter confusion and undermine Phil Lyman’s campaign efforts. The lawsuit sought a minimum of $1.7 million.

Phil Lyman has also claimed Governor Spencer Cox recruited Richard and Carol Lyman to begin their write-in campaign, a statement which has been refuted by both the Lymans and Governor Cox’s campaign.

Phil Lyman, a current state representative, lost the Republican primary to incumbent Governor Cox by nine points in June. However, he has continued his campaign, encouraging supporters to write in his name for the general election.

In a recent release, Phil Lyman and his running mate Natalie Clawson, announced their intentions to remain in the race as write-in candidates.

“We have been bombarded with texts, messages, and emails asking if we are withdrawing,” Phil Lyman said. “I want to be very clear — we — Phil Lyman and Natalie Clawson — have not, and will not, withdraw.”

“We have a governor’s race to win. We respect Richard and Carol’s decision to withdraw and believe it is a positive development that will help simplify the counting of write-in ballots on November 5th.”

Phil Lyman’s campaign for governor has been marked by legal struggles since his initial win during the Republican convention before the Republican primary.

Lyman filed a petition with the Utah Supreme Court to remove Governor Cox from office in August, claiming Cox should have not been qualified to enter the primary due to Lyman winning the delegate vote at the Republican convention.

In addition, Lyman also filed an injunction to prevent the printing of ballots, again claiming Cox wrongly won the Republican primary election as, in Lyman’s eyes, should have not been allowed to qualify for the primary election.

Phil Lyman and his campaign are urging voters to write-in both his first and last name to further clarify the votes during the election process.