Former Vice President Mike Pence is hosting a fundraiser for Utah Rep. Burgess Owens in Park City Thursday evening.
Pence’s stop in Utah will be a short one. According to a person who was not authorized to speak publicly about Pence’s visit, he is scheduled to attend the Owens fundraiser before departing for another event.
Pence offered his endorsement of Owens shortly before last week’s GOP primary election against fellow Republican Jake Hunsaker.
“I admire Burgess for his commitment to his district and the real results he has delivered over the last two years. Most of all, I admire Burgess and his commitment to his faith and family,” Pence said in a text message sent to GOP voters just days before the primary.
Pence’s support for Owens is mildly surprising since Owens voted to overturn the 2020 election results following the attack on the U.S. Capitol by a mob of supporters of former President Donald Trump.
Trump also endorsed Owens before the 2022 primary election.
News of Pence’s visit caught several top Utah Republicans off guard, who were unaware of the plans before being contacted by The Tribune.
Utah is quickly becoming a fertile fundraising stop for high-profile Republicans. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is scheduled to host a pair of fundraisers in Utah on July 20.
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