The Latest: Castillo leads in Democratic House primary

Mitt and Ann Romney are greeted by a supporter during the Strawberry Day Parade Saturday, June 23, 2018, in Pleasant Grove, Utah. Romney is flashing his familiar smile at city parks and backyards in Utah's mountains and suburbs this week, making his final pitch after being forced into a Republican primary against a conservative state lawmaker.

Mitt Romney wins GOP primary in Utah Senate race

Former GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney holds his grandson Dane Romney, 2, while he and his wife, Ann, wave after addressing supporters at their campaign headquarters during an election night party today in Orem, Utah. SALT LAKE CITY>> Mitt Romney handily won the Republican primary for a Utah Senate seat today after toning down his criticism of Donald Trump as he looks to re-start his political career.

Mitt Romney takes on Utah lawmaker in US Senate primary Source: AP

Republican voters in the U.S. Senate primary in Utah were deciding Tuesday between Mitt Romney and a state lawmaker who kept him from getting the GOP nomination at the party's convention as the former presidential candidate looks to restart his political career. Romney has deflected attacks on his criticism of President Donald Trump during the 2016 campaign while saying his political track record would give Utah more clout in Washington.

Now a candidate, Romney appears to embrace Trump presidency Source: AP

With the sun setting over his shoulder, the former Republican presidential nominee and would-be senator tells his audience, gathered on the patio of a resort, that President Donald Trump will win a second term. Romney also says that annual $1 trillion deficits under Trump are "highly stimulative."

Primary, general election debate schedule announced

For the first time, the Utah Debate Commission is hosting three primary debates, including between U.S. Senate candidates Mitt Romney, a former GOP presidential nominee, and state Rep. Mike Kennedy, R-Alpine. The debate between the two contenders for the Republican nomination in the race to take the place of retiring Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, will be held May 29 at 6 p.m. at the KBYU Studios on the Brigham Young University campus in Provo.

Republicans avoid confronting Trump over whether he can fire special counsel

President Trump congratulates Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky on tax legislation on Dec. 20, 2017. The Senate Judiciary Committee appeared an island of civility Thursday as Democrats and Republicans politely debated and voted 14 to 7 to approve bipartisan legislation intended to prevent President Trump from firing special counsel Robert S. Mueller III without cause.

‘He’s not in the clear’: Jason Chaffetz says Trump…

Former House oversight chairman Jason Chaffetz on Wednesday warned President Donald Trump not to be comforted by news that he is a "subject" of special counsel Robert Mueller's investigation instead of being considered a "target." Chaffetz, a Fox News contributor, was asked during an appearance on Fox & Friends whether Trump should "breathe a sigh of relief" now that The Washington Post has reported that Mueller does not yet have enough evidence to charge Trump with a crime.

Capitol Punishment: Or, Keeping House is too Expensive

Politico reports on a letter to US Representative and House Ethics Committee chairwoman Susan Brooks , from more than two dozen members of the Congressional Black Caucus, requesting an investigation into "the legality and propriety" of lawmakers sleeping in their offices. Among their complaints are that the free lodging and associated perqs constitute a "direct violation of the ethics rules which prohibit official resources from being used for personal purposes," and that the risk of seeing a naked politician creates a "hostile work environment" for House, um, housekeepers.

Jason Chaffetz: Are we doing enough to prosecute gun crimes?

Federal law requires all federally licensed firearms dealers to conduct a background check on prospective gun buyers before the sale of a firearm. What goes into that background check? In the clamor to tighten gun restrictions following the horrific massacre at Florida's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School last week, one important fact has been overlooked.

Romney postpones announcement on Senate race after shooting new

Mitt Romney is preparing to announce a bid for Utah's Senate seat held by retiring Orrin Hatch, a position some hope the 2012 GOP presidential nominee will use to continue his biting criticism of President Donald Trump. Romney, who once called Trump "a phony" who was unfit for office, is not expected to address the president in an announcement video he has prepared for release online, according to people with direct knowledge of his plans.

2 editorials Tribune editorial: Give us the tax debate, legislators35m ago

The Utah Legislature has begun this session, as it often does, with a promise of minimal government and a reality of inserting itself into other people's business. But legislative leaders may have reached their Waterloo with House Bill 175 creating a Joint Committee on Governmental Oversight.

Florida man pleads guilty to threatening Utah congressman

The Orlando Sentinel reports that Charles Zachary Howard of Winter Park pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to threatening Utah Republican Rep. Jason Chaffetz last March. Howard, a registered Republican, called Chaffetz's Washington office and threatened to hunt him down, "wrap a rope around your neck and hang you from a lamppost."

Inspectors general in demand during Trump era

From Democrats on Capitol Hill to good-government groups, critics of President Donald Trump and his administration have turned to the federal government's 70-plus inspectors general seeking answers. The requests for IG investigations vary as widely as the headlines: The government's handling of Trump's Washington hotel.

Utah’s Curtis set to be sworn in as newest GOP House member

Congress gets its newest member on Monday when Republican John Curtis of Utah is sworn in amid an intense push by GOP leadership to score a major legislative victory before the end of the year. Curtis, 57, is the mayor of the Mormon stronghold of Provo.

The Latest: Polls close in Utah as voters fill Chaffetz seat

In this Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2017, file photo, Provo Mayor John Curtis speaks during town hall meeting, in Lehi, Utah. Utah voters are set to choose a replacement for U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz during a special election Tuesday made necessary after the Republican's surprise resignation earlier this year.

The 24 most amazing John Boehner quotes in one amazing John Boehner story

In a series of interviews with Politico's Tim Alberta for a massive - and massively entertaining - profile of the former speaker of the House, Boehner offered his thoughts on everything from Jason Chaffetz and Jim Jordan to what members of Congress should eat, to Ted Cruz to, yes, his smoking habits. The whole story is amazing, but what stands out is Boehner's candor.

John Boehner Unleashed: Ex-House Speaker Curses at LawmakersFox Nation

Former House Speaker John Boehner, who retired in October 2015, is no longer holding back his anger against several of his former colleagues in Congress. The Ohio Republican talked to Politico Magazine in a lengthy profile Sunday about the widening political divide in America.

Ditching Donald Trump: Wave of Republican retirements points to big GOP trouble in 2018

Republican members of Congress returned from an August recess in which they avoided terrible headlines by doing their darnedest to avoid their constituents only to face an even bleaker political landscape awaiting them in Washington. With few legislative results to tout, several congressional Republicans have opted to head into 2018 by taking the road of least resistance: retirement.

APNewsBreak: Investigators say US land agent took evidence

In this Aug. 19, 2009 file photo, Daniel Love, a special agent with the Bureau of Land Management, walks in front of Carl "Vern" Crites' home in Durango Colo., after Crites voluntarily turned over his entire collection of ancient artifacts during a sweeping federal investigation of looting and grave-robbing in the Four Corners region. In a report released Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017, federal investigators released a report that says Love took valuable stones held as evidence and distributed them "like candy" to colleagues and a contractor.