Via the Republican Security Council:
A STAR IS BORN: Mia Love won the Utah GOP state convention vote tonight with 70%. That means there will be no primary and she is now the official nominee to oppose Rep. Jim Matheson (D).
Because of redistricting, Matheson only represents 30% of the new 4th district. She is already defeating the incumbent in the polls, and this race is one of the top five national pickup opportunities for the GOP.
Love is the Mayor of Saratoga Springs and she soundly defeated former State Rep. Carl Wimmer who had an impressive campaign.
Wimmer had considerable support from libertarians, Sen. Mike Lee, Attorney General Mark Shurtleff and numerous legislators. He was campaigning on a states’ rights theme.
Love has already won support from national GOP leaders. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA), Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), the leading budget hawk all gave money to Love early in her campaign.
She is the daughter of Haitian immigrants and would be the only black Republican woman in Congress.
On her Facebook, Love posted:
I am so honored to be the Republican nominee for Utah’s 4th Congressional District. There are too many people to thank, but I will first mention my husband and kids. They’ve sacrificed a lot these recent weeks, and I could not do this without them. And much thanks to my team who’ve been prepping for this day for a long time. This is the beginning, and we are ready! Please, everyone, jump on board!
I will be following your career and praying for your success. God Bless!