Mike Kennedy
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| Member of the Utah Senate | |
| Assumed office January 5, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Dan Hemmert |
| Constituency | 14th district (2021–2023) 21st district (2023–present) |
| Member of the Utah House of Representatives from the 27th district | |
| In office January 1, 2013 – January 1, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | John Dougall |
| Succeeded by | Brady Brammer |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Michael Stevan Kennedy 1969 (age 54–55) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Katrina |
| Children | 8 |
| Education | Brigham Young University (BS, JD) Michigan State University (MD) |
| Website | Official website |
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Michael Steven Kennedy[1] (born 1969) is an American physician, attorney, and politician. He has served as a Republican member of the Utah Senate, representing District 21 since 2023. Prior to redistricting he represented District 14 starting in 2021. He previously served as a member of the Utah House of Representatives from 2013 to 2019.[2][3] Kennedy was a candidate in the 2018 U.S. Senate election in Utah. He received the most votes at the Utah State Republican Convention but was defeated by Mitt Romney in the subsequent primary for the Republican nomination.[4]
Kennedy is a candidate for the Republican nomination for Utah's 3rd congressional districtin2024. He won the Utah Republican Party nominating convention after six rounds of voting.[5]
Kennedy earned his BS from Brigham Young University. While a student at BYU Kennedy took two years off to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[6]
He earned his MD from Michigan State University, and his JD from Brigham Young University's J. Reuben Clark Law School while taking law classes at night and running his medical practice during the day. Kennedy lives in Alpine, Utah, where he works as a family doctor for Premier Family Medical Group.[7][8]
When District 27 incumbent Republican Representative John Dougall ran for state auditor and left the seat open, Kennedy was selected as one of two candidates from five by the Republican convention for the June 26, 2012 Republican primary which he won with 2,586 votes (52.9%)[9] and won the November 6, 2012 general election with 14,335 votes (92.1%) against Constitution candidate Scott Morgan.[10]
During the 2014 general election, Kennedy faced Democratic nominee William McGree, winning with 6,997 votes (88.4%).
During the 2016 legislative session, Kennedy served on the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee, the House Health and Human Services Committee, and the House Political Subdivisions Committee.[11]
On March 9, 2018, Kennedy distributed a letter to members of District 27 announcing that he would not seek re-election for the Utah House of Representatives. He instead opted to run for the U.S. Senate. On April 22, 2018, Kennedy edged out Mitt Romney at the Republican Convention with 50.88% of the delegate votes. Romney came in a close second with 49.12%, allowing both to compete in the primary on June 26, 2018, but Kennedy would lose the primary to Mitt Romney.[12][13][14]
Kennedy drew attention as a vocal supporter of gun rights, even meeting with UtahGunExchange.com, a private gun exchange who would later have a presence at March For Our Lives near the Utah Capitol and the 2018 Chicago Peace March and Rally, where their militaristic vehicle included a replica .50-caliber machine gun.[15][16]
| Bill Number | Bill Name | Bill Status |
|---|---|---|
| HB0081 | Government Employees Insurance Offerings Amendments | Governor Signed - 3/21/2016[17] |
| HB0113 | Health Care Sharing Ministry Amendments | House/ filed - 3/10/2016[17] |
| HB0307 | Termination of Parental Rights Amendments | House/ filed - 3/10/2016[17] |
| HJR010 | Joint Resolution Authorizing the Lease of a Portion of the Utah State Developmental Center's Land | House/ to Lieutenant Governor - 3/7/2016[17] |
Kennedy passed two of the four bills he introduced, giving him a 50% passage rate. He also floor sponsored three bills.[17] He has a 92.7% lifetime rating from the Utah Taxpayers Association.[18] Kennedy has an "A" rating on gun legislation from the NRA Political Victory Fund.[19][20][21]
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| Utah House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by | Member of the Utah House of Representatives from the 27th district 2013–2019 |
Succeeded by |
| Utah State Senate | ||
| Preceded by | Member of the Utah State Senate from the 14th district 2021–2023 |
Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Member of the Utah State Senate from the 21st district 2023–present |
Incumbent |
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Members of the Utah State Senate
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65th State Legislature (2023–2024)
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