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GOP's big donors brace for Trump's down-ballot impact. Sanders claims eight of 10 Utah delegates. Chaffetz wants to question Supreme Court nominee.

Happy Thursday. Establishment Republicans and their big-money allies are rushing to build a multistate defense system to protect Senate and House candidates, fearing that the party could lose its hold on Congress if Donald Trump is at the top of the ticket in November. Yup, they're that worried. The efforts are being driven by major players such as the Koch brothers' political network, which has already begun laying groundwork in Colorado, Ohio and Pennsylvania, along with the Crossroads organizations and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. [<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/the-gop—and-its-big-funders—scramble-to-insulate-congress-from-trump/2016/03/23/44b7734c-f10c-11e5-85a6-2132cf446d0a_story.html"; target="_blank">WaPost</a>]

<strong>Topping the news: </strong>With Sen. Bernie Sanders' big win over Hillary Clinton in Utah, he takes eight of every 10 Utah delegates. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3697299-155/bernie-sanders-takes-bulk-of-utahs">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865650717/Sanders-wins-big-but-Utah-Democratic-Party-still-hasnt-awarded-delegates.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>]

-> After Utah's victory, Sen. Ted Cruz is focused on being the one to topple front-runner Donald Trump. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3699581-155/after-utah-caucus-buoys-cruz-candidates"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] A new Fox News poll shows Cruz closing the gap with Trump nationally. [<a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/03/23/fox-news-poll-cruz-gains-on-trump-in-gop-race-clinton-up-by-double.html"; target="_blank">FoxNews</a>] Cruz is still behind in delegates and would need a 'near-miracle' to catch up. [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765685137/Cruz-emboldened-but-needs-a-near-miracle-to-catch-Trump.html"; target="_blank">APviaDNews</a>]

-> Mitt Romney and Mormon voters may have saved the "never Trump movement." [<a href="http://www.newyorker.com/news/daily-comment/how-mitt-romney-and-the-mormons-saved-the-never-trump-movement"; target="_blank">NewYorker</a>]

-> One of the Mormon missionaries hurt in the Brussels attacks is in a medical-induced coma. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3697807-155/mormon-missionary-from-utah-hurt-in"; target="_blank">APviaTrib</a>] [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865650718/Elder-Richard-Norby-now-in-medically-induced-coma-for-injuries-from-Brussels-bombing.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>] [<a href="http://fox13now.com/2016/03/23/families-of-lds-missionaries-hurt-in-brussels-attacks-share-update/"; target="_blank">Fox13</a>]

-> Rep. Jason Chaffetz plans to question Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland over why he recused himself in the investigation of a former federal judge accused of rape. [<a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/03/merrick-garland-recuse-supreme-court-221110"; target="_blank">Politico</a>]

<strong>Tweets of the day: </strong>From <a href="https://twitter.com/TribunePolygamy"; target="_blank">@tribunepolygamy</a>: "Thrice married @<a href="http://www.twitter.com/realDonaldTrump"; target="_blank">realDonaldTrump</a> wins GOP primary in Colorado City, Arizona. No votes for @<a href="http://www.twitter.com/HillaryClinton"; target="_blank">HillaryClinton</a>"

From <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSerwer"; target="_blank">@AdamSerwer </a> "Superman is a working class immigrant who uses his powers for the public good, Batman is a rich semi-despot. Of course, Sanders likes Superman"

<strong>Happy Birthday: </strong>To Allison Barker Leavitt, communications director for Rep. Chris Stewart<span style="color: #000000;"><b>. </b></span>

<strong>In other news: </strong>The Utah Islamic Center responded to Ted Cruz's statements about police patrolling Muslim neighborhoods. [<a href="http://fox13now.com/2016/03/23/utah-islamic-center-responds-to-sen-cruzs-comments-on-muslim-neighborhoods/"; target="_blank">Fox13</a>]

-> Even though caucus turnout set records on Tuesday, there were still fewer voters than in the 2008 presidential primary. [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865650762/Despite-record-caucus-turnout-fewer-votes-cast-for-president-than-in-2008.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>]

-> The settlement money given to the mother of Darrien Hunt, a man who was killed by police, is still under dispute. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3692781-155/disputes-over-attorney-fees-settlement-money"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

-> Democrats are calling out the state for not running a primary on Tuesday. [<a href="http://www.good4utah.com/news/local-news/democrats-and-republicans-speak-up-about-utah-caucuses"; target="_blank">ABC4</a>]

-> Here's what the Utah delegation is saying about the attacks in Brussels. [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865650642/What-the-presidential-candidates-are-saying-about-the-Brussels-attacks.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>] The State Department issued a warning to Americans traveling to Europe. [<a href="http://www.good4utah.com/news/local-news/state-department-issues-warning-to-european-travelers"; target="_blank">ABC4</a>]

-> The family of a girl injured in a crash filed a lawsuit against Morgan County Deputy Ryan Deardon and the county. [<a href="http://www.standard.net/Courts/2016/03/22/Lawsuit-filed-against-Morgan-County-sheriff-s-deputy-after-crash-injured-teen.html"; target="_blank">StandEx</a>] [<a href="http://kutv.com/news/local/lawsuit-filed-after-girl-injured-in-crash-with-deputy"; target="_blank">APviaKUTV</a>]

->  A judge wants to restrict what the jury in the Jeremy Johnson trial can say after the verdict. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3698917-155/judge-wants-to-restrict-what-jurors"; target="_blank">Trib</a>] [<a href="http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865650739/Prosecutors-fire-back-at-Jeremy-Johnsons-plea-for-mistrial.html"; target="_blank">DNews</a>]

-> A reading teacher in Tooele was charged with sexually assaulting a 10-year-girl. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3700053-155/reading-teacher-accused-of-fondling-10-year-old"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

-> The food stamp fraud trial against leaders of the FLDS church is scheduled for May. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3700080-155/trial-scheduled-for-flds-food-stamp"; target="_blank">APviaTrib</a>]

-> The Utah Supreme Court declined to dismiss a $40 million dollar lawsuit against the FLDS church, brought by a former child bride. [<a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2016/03/23/fox-news-poll-cruz-gains-on-trump-in-gop-race-clinton-up-by-double.html"; target="_blank">Fox13</a>]

-> The Salt Lake City Planning Commission approved a new mosque to be built in the city. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/news/3700151-155/planning-commission-oks-new-mosque-for">Trib</a>]

-> Pat Bagley offers his take on the attacks in Brussels. [<a href="http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/3699683-155/bagley-cartoon-some-lives-matter-more"; target="_blank">Trib</a>]

<strong>Nationally:</strong> House Speaker Paul Ryan expressed concern about the state of American politics and the rhetoric used by the candidates in a speech Tuesday.<strong> </strong>[<a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/03/paul-ryan-gop-politics-221157"; target="_blank">Politico</a>] [<a href="http://thehill.com/homenews/house/274049-ryan-to-republican-candidates-inspire-dont-scare-voters"; target="_blank">TheHill</a>] [<a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/03/23/paul-ryan-tries-to-pivot-from-disheartened-state-of-politics/?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-low_pp-ryan-politics-110pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory" target="_blank">WaPost</a>]

-> Authorities in Belgium are still hunting for at least one more man suspected to be involved in the attacks. [<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/24/world/europe/brussels-attack.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=span-ab-top-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news&_r=0"; target="_blank">NYTimes</a>] [<a href="http://www.vox.com/2016/3/23/11294462/brussels-attack-suspects-ibrahim-el-bakraoui-khalid-najim-laachraoui"; target="_blank">Vox</a>]

-> The Supreme Court heard arguments in a highly contested case over the Affordable Care Act's contraception mandate. [<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/supreme-court-contraceptive-nuns_us_56f287e7e4b0c3ef52173cee?utm_hp_ref=politics">HuffPost</a>]

-> Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton slammed Sen. Ted Cruz and Donald Trump's response to the Brussels attacks. [<a href="http://www.politico.com/story/2016/03/hillary-clinton-terrorism-speech-221171">Politico</a>]

-> The gunman convicted of a shooting that killed six people and injured 13 including former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is suing her for causing him emotional distress. [<a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/tucson-gunman-jared-loughner-sues-former-congresswoman-gabrielle-giffords-for-25-million/?linkId=22631075"; target="_blank">CBS</a>]

<strong>Where are they?</strong>

<ul>

<li>Gov. Gary <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/GovHerbert"; target="_blank">Herbert</a></strong> heads to the KUED news conference, Utah Summer Tourism Campaign Launch and the Utah Priorities Project Luncheon. He reviews bills then he heads to the Pillar of the Valley Awards.</li>

<li>State Auditor John <strong><a href="http://twitter.com/FrugalDougall"; target="_blank">Dougall</a> </strong>meets with the Division of Finance and Attorney General's office then he goes to a meeting on future audit standards.</li>

<li>President Barack <strong><a href="https://twitter.com/BarackObama"; target="_blank">Obama</a></strong> visits Parque de la Memoria, then travels to Bariloche, Argentina and Buenos Aries then he heads back to Washington.</li>

</ul>

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— Thomas Burr and Michael Anderson

<a title="Thomas Burr" href="https://twitter.com/thomaswburr"; target="_blank">Twitter.com/thomaswburr</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/MKrusenews">Twitter.com/Mkrusenews</a>