Rick Bowmer, Associated Press

DRAPER — The three Republican U.S. Senate hopefuls debated and sparred Wednesday evening in what will be their only joint appearance ahead of primary balloting in the contest.

The debate, hosted by the Utah Republican Party, stayed civil, with all three sounding conservative tones and messages. It was held at Draper Park Middle School in Draper and broadcast over the party’s social media channels.

Incumbent Mike Lee, seeking his third term, jabbed most at what he sees federal government overreach, and the Democratic administration of President Joe Biden. “The federal government has become too big and too expensive because it’s done things it wasn’t intended to do,” Lee said, adding that he’s been able to “unravel” some of the overreach.

Edwards and Isom, for their part, took shots at Lee, indirectly and, at times, directly.

“You’ve stayed too long in Washington when you forgot who sent you there, when you can’t pass bills, when people refuse to work with you,” Isom said, referencing what she said was discontent and displeasure with Lee by Utahns she’s met while campaigning.  She called herself a “Utah Reagan classic conservative,” alluding to former President Ronald Reagan.

Rick Bowmer, Associated Press

Edwards pointed a finger at what she sees as the inability of the current slate of lawmakers in Washington, D.C., to get things done.

She’s running “because Congress is broken. Utahns are tired of leaders with no vision and no results,” Edwards said. “Utahns deserve and expect elected leaders representing this state who are more than focused on personal gain, cronyism and D.C. politics. There is a better way.”

It’s been an intense campaign, with the two challengers offering up strong critiques at times of Lee, who has closely aligned himself with former President Donald Trump — to the chagrin and delight of the different camps of Utah GOPers. The questions, posed by Utah Republican Party Chairman Carson Jorgensen, touched on voter fraud, inflation, immigration, gun violence and more.

Isom said Utahns will have to make sacrifices to conserve water and she also took aim at Lee — among several shots — for what she sees as his insufficient efforts to preserve declining water levels in the Great Salt Lake. “We have to support the Great Salt Lake. Current official voted against the Great Salt Lake. No other senator in Utah history would’ve voted against preserving the Great Salt Lake,” he said.

Lee fired back. “I didn’t realize that was possible, to vote against the Great Salt Lake. I have no idea what you’re referring to there,” he said.

Rick Bowmer, Associated Press

On election integrity, Isom said it’s “not inappropriate” for the federal government to seek audits of elections. But control of the process, she believes, should be left in the state’s hands. “I do not want the federal government taking over the election process,” she said.

Edwards referenced Trump’s efforts to “cast doubt” on the U.S. election process in connection with his failed reelection bid in 2020. “That was deeply concerning to me,” she said. Even so, she called for close scrutiny of local and federal elections.

Lee sounded support for requiring voter identification. “You got to do before you get on a plane. Why not do it before you vote?” he said.

He referenced the controversy over text messages he sent to Mark Meadows, then Trump’s chief of staff, related to challenging the 2020 presidential election results based on apparent election issues. He “made calls to investigate,” finding the charges in the matter were false. “On that basis, I voted to certify the (2020 presidential) election,” he said.

Both Lee and Edwards sounded support for beefing up the wall on the U.S.-Mexico border. Isom suggested a wall by itself would be an incomplete approach to border security, noting it would also require surveillance and monitoring. She further noted the need to address issues in the home countries of illegal crossers, issues that push them to sneak into the United States in the first place.

On gun violence, none voiced support for any sort of gun ban or heightened restrictions. Both Isom and Edwards pointed to a need to look at mental health issues and the underlying issues that lead gunmen — like the shooter in the Uvalde, Texas, massacre — to turn to guns.

The winner of the three-way GOP primary, which culminates June 28, will face off in November against independent Evan McMullin.

Isom, a top staffer during the administration of Gov. Gary Herbert, and Edwards, a former Utah House member, face off in another debate hosted by the Utah Debate Commission set for Thursday at 6 p.m. It will be televised by KSL-TV. Lee declined an invite to take part.

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