Evan McMullin

McMullin was born on April 2, 1976{{cite web |url=http://archives.lib.byu.edu/agents/people/16671 |title=McMullin, Evan (David Evan), 1976– |publisher=Brigham Young University |accessdate=October 8, 2021}}{{cite web |last1=Benson |first1=Samuel |title=Opinion: Evan McMullin is back, and he's ready to reshape American politics |url=https://www.deseret.com/2021/4/7/22353618/evan-mcmullin-miles-taylor-new-third-party-gop-republican-founding-ideals-trump-vision |website=Deseret News |access-date=April 8, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210408213534/https://www.deseret.com/2021/4/7/22353618/evan-mcmullin-miles-taylor-new-third-party-gop-republican-founding-ideals-trump-vision |archive-date=April 8, 2021 |language=en |date=April 7, 2021 |url-status=live}} in Provo, Utah, the oldest of four children of David McMullin and Lanie Bullard. At a young age, his family moved to a rural area outside Seattle, Washington,{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNarSHJEOec |title=Presidential Hopeful Evan McMullin – Full Interview |work=Hugh Hewitt Show |date=August 9, 2016|via=YouTube}} where his father worked as a computer scientist and his mother sold bulk foods to neighbors from the family's garage.{{cite news |last=Canham |first=Matt |date=October 26, 2016 |title=Who is Evan McMullin? An unorthodox presidential contender who has led an unusual life |url=http://www.sltrib.com/home/4506207-155/who-is-evan-mcmullin-an-unorthodox |newspaper=Salt Lake Tribune |location=Salt Lake City |access-date=November 2, 2016}}{{cite web|last1=McMullin|first1=Evan|title=About Evan McMullin|url=https://www.evanmcmullin.com/about|publisher=Evan McMullin for President|access-date=August 8, 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911143951/https://www.evanmcmullin.com/about/|archive-date=September 11, 2016}} After graduating in 1994 from Auburn Senior High School, McMullin spent two years in Brazil as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church). Upon returning, he spent a summer working on an Alaskan fishing vessel.

In 1997, McMullin began attending Brigham Young University (BYU); every year he was in college he did a summer internship with the CIA. He spent a year living in Israel and Jordan and volunteered as a refugee resettlement officer for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/cia-agent-evan-mcmullin-launch-independent-presidential-bid/story?id=41201256|title=Former CIA Officer to Launch Independent Presidential Bid|date=August 8, 2016|publisher=ABC News|access-date=August 30, 2016}} In 2001, McMullin graduated with a bachelor's degree in international law and diplomacy and began formal training with the CIA to become an operations officer.{{Cite news|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865659670/BYU-grad-launches-last-minute-campaign-for-president.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809141843/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865659670/BYU-grad-launches-last-minute-campaign-for-president.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 9, 2016 |title=BYU grad launches last-minute campaign for president|date=August 8, 2016|newspaper=Deseret News|access-date=August 30, 2016}} After working for the CIA, McMullin attended the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania where he received an MBA in 2011.

Soon after McMullin joined the CIA, the September 11 attacks occurred, leading to an accelerated training and deployment. He spent the next decade working overseas on counterterrorism and intelligence operations as an operations officer with the National Clandestine Service,{{cite web|url=https://piw.sas.upenn.edu/semester-program/blogs/alumni-spotlight-evan-mcmullin-past-present-and-future-republican-party|title=Alumni Spotlight: Evan McMullin on the Past, Present, and Future of the Republican Party|date=2016|website=Penn in Washington|access-date=August 8, 2016|archive-date=August 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816005153/https://piw.sas.upenn.edu/semester-program/blogs/alumni-spotlight-evan-mcmullin-past-present-and-future-republican-party|url-status=dead}} operating in the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia. He was first deployed in 2003 and left the agency in 2010.{{Cite news|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/is-evan-mcmullins-presidential-candidacy-just-a-protest-or-something-bigger-090046263.html|title=Is Evan McMullin's presidential candidacy just a protest, or something bigger?|last=Ward|first=Jon|date=October 26, 2016|work=Yahoo News|access-date=October 27, 2016}} His deployments included postings in an unspecified southwest Asian country that was key to the-ongoing War on Terror.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/global-opinions/inside-evan-mcmullins-10-years-undercover-in-the-cia/2016/10/30/10347aa6-9d42-11e6-9980-50913d68eacb_story.html|title=Inside Evan McMullin's 10 years undercover in the CIA|last=Rogin|first=Josh|date=October 30, 2016|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=November 6, 2016}}

While the details of his missions remain classified, former CIA officers who worked with McMullin praised his work, noting his talent for recruiting members of extremist organizations through building trust and willingness to engage in human intelligence outside the confines of the embassy. His former supervisor said that U.S. intelligence goals at that time included information-gathering for efforts against the Taliban, developing intelligence for counter-terrorism strikes, and searching for information leading to Osama bin Laden and other al-Qaeda leaders. Near the end of his CIA career, he worked undercover in Iraq. McMullin said his work involved meeting with business and government leaders, as well as collecting information from terrorist operatives.

After leaving the CIA, McMullin attended the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, earning his MBA in 2011.{{Cite news|url=http://www.thedp.com/article/2016/08/wharton-graduate-announces-independent-presidential-bid-to-oppose-trump|title=Wharton graduate announces independent presidential bid to oppose Trump|date=August 8, 2016|newspaper=The Daily Pennsylvanian|access-date=August 30, 2016}} McMullin then worked for the Investment Banking Division at Goldman Sachs for about a year and a half.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/15/us/politics/evan-mcmullin-campaign-utah.html |title=Evan McMullin's Moonshot White House Bid Has Utah's Attention |author=Jack Healy |date=October 14, 2016 |work=The New York Times |access-date=January 21, 2019}} In 2012, he volunteered for Mitt Romney's presidential campaign, which indirectly led to him being recruited by Republicans on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs looking for an adviser with counter-terrorism experience. In 2013, McMullin was an International Advisory Board member for the Kennedy Center for International Studies at BYU.{{cite web|url=https://kennedy.byu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Bridges14-2.pdf|title=Evan McMullin: International counselor extraordinaire|date=2014|work=Bridges: BYU Alumni Magazine|access-date=August 8, 2016|archive-date=August 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809183308/https://kennedy.byu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Bridges14-2.pdf|url-status=dead}}

In 2013, McMullin became a senior adviser on national security issues for the House Committee on Foreign Affairs for the 113th Congress. In 2015, McMullin became the chief policy director of the House Republican Conference under Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.).{{cite web |url=http://www.politico.com/tipsheets/huddle/2015/01/john-boehners-revenge-mcconnell-gets-rough-reminder-of-senate-rules-on-first-day-scalise-is-still-fundraising-212543 |title=John Boehner's revenge – McConnell gets rough reminder of Senate rules on first day – Scalise is still fundraising |author=Jeff Selsar |date=January 7, 2015 |work=Politico |access-date=August 8, 2016}} It was from this position that he watched the 2016 Republican primaries, and when he began to speak out against Trump he was urged by some Republicans to stay out of the fray. McMullin resigned as chief policy director shortly before declaring his run for the presidency in August 2016.{{cite news|last1=Walshe|first1=Shushannah|title=Former CIA Officer Evan McMullin Launches Independent Presidential Bid|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/cia-officer-evan-mcmullin-launches-independent-presidential-bid/story?id=41201256|access-date=August 8, 2016|publisher=ABC News|date=August 8, 2016}}

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{{Main|Evan McMullin 2016 presidential campaign}}

{{US 2016 presidential elections series}}

File:Evan McMullin at Provo Rally cropped.jpg.]]

On August 8, 2016, McMullin announced that he would run as a candidate for President of the United States in the 2016 presidential election as an independent.{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/09/us/politics/evan-mcmullin-independent-candidate.html|title=Evan McMullin, Anti-Trump Republican, Is Said to Plan Independent Presidential Bid|author=Haberman, Maggie|author-link=Maggie Haberman|date=August 8, 2016|newspaper=The New York Times|issn=0362-4331|access-date=August 8, 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/mckaycoppins/anti-trump-republican-launching-independent-presidential-bid|title=Anti-Trump Republican Launching Independent Presidential Bid|last=Coppins|first=McKay|date=August 8, 2016|website=BuzzFeed News|access-date=August 8, 2016}}{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/08/evan-mcmullin-2016-presidential-run-226784|title=Anti-Trump Republican Evan McMullin to launch independent bid for presidency|newspaper=Politico|date=August 8, 2016 |access-date=August 8, 2016}} He had personally lobbied several Congresspeople to run under the Better for America banner, but when none would run and it was suggested to him that he should run himself, he decided to do so. McMullin ran as an independent conservative alternative to Trump, and had the support of several anti-Trump Republican donors,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/election-us-2016-37012626|title=Evan McMullin: Independent candidate launches presidential bid|publisher=BBC News|access-date=August 8, 2016}}{{cite magazine|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/08/anti-trump-republican-evan-mcmullin/494870/|title=Anti-Trump Republicans Take One More Shot at the White House|first=Priscilla|last=Alvarez|magazine=The Atlantic|access-date=August 8, 2016}} and his presidential bid was also backed by several former members of Better for America, a 501(c)(4) organization dedicated to getting nationwide ballot access for an independent candidate for president in the 2016 election.{{cite web |url=https://www.betterforamerica.com/ |title=This year is different |publisher=Better For America |access-date=August 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160819053422/https://www.betterforamerica.com/ |archive-date=August 19, 2016 |url-status=dead}} McMullin's campaign was supported by some members of the "Never Trump" movement.

In September 2016, McMullin said Trump "poses a true threat to our national security by carrying Putin's water in the United States" and criticized Russian government activities to promote Trump and his allies, saying that these activities undermined the U.S. and global economies and were destructive to peace and security. He criticized Russian disinformation campaigns that targeted Western Europe and North America "through fomenting discord between different racial groups, different ethnic groups, and different religious groups." He criticized Republican congresspeople who publicly supported Trump while privately expressing alarm at Trump's actions and statements, saying that many Republican officials were "afraid to speak out against" Trump for fear of losing their seats, and said: "Anyone who supports Donald Trump is someone who I think is not too committed to the constitution. I believe Donald Trump poses a true threat to our constitution and those who support him are sustaining that threat." In a December 2016 rally, Trump attacked McMullin, referring to him as "McMuffin" and saying, "I never even heard of this guy before. Nobody did."{{cite web|last1=Firozi|first1=Paulina|title=Trump calls Evan McMullin 'McMuffin' in rally speech|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/310852-trump-calls-evan-mcmullin-mcmuffin-in-rally-speech/|website=The Hill|date=December 17, 2016 }}

McMullin's late entrance into the race caused him to miss several state ballot deadlines,{{cite news|last1=Leonard|first1=Randy|last2=Kelly|first2=Ryan|title=McMullin Presidential Run an Uphill Battle, per State Filing Deadlines|url=http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/independent-presidential-run-uphill-battle-per-state-filing-deadlines|access-date=August 8, 2016|work=Roll Call|date=August 8, 2016|archive-date=October 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161013121639/http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/independent-presidential-run-uphill-battle-per-state-filing-deadlines|url-status=dead}} and ultimately he was only able to appear on the ballot in eleven states, with write-in eligibility in many other states.{{cite web|title=How to Vote for Evan|url=https://www.evanmcmullin.com/how_to_vote_for_evan|website=Evan McMullin for president|access-date=October 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012110045/https://www.evanmcmullin.com/how_to_vote_for_evan|archive-date=October 12, 2016|url-status=dead}} As such he did not appear on enough ballots to win the necessary Electoral College majority of 270 electoral votes, so instead McMullin hoped to deny a majority of the electoral vote to either of the two major-party candidates. In such a scenario, under the terms of the Twelfth Amendment, the House of Representatives would select the new president from among the top-three electoral vote winners.

The same day that McMullin launched his independent bid, Kahlil Byrd and Chris Ashby, Republican strategists with expertise in third-party ballot access, announced the formation of a super PAC called Stand Up America to support McMullin's campaign via TV and digital ads, events, and organizing.{{cite news|author=Matea Gold|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2016/08/08/new-super-pac-launching-to-support-evan-mcmullins-independent-white-house-bid/ |title=New super PAC launching to support Evan McMullin independent White House bid|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=August 8, 2016}} On October 6, McMullin named Mindy Finn as his running mate.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/presidential-candidate-evan-mcmullin-picks-mindy-finn-running/story?id=42629024 |title=Presidential Candidate Evan McMullin Picks Mindy Finn as Running Mate|publisher=ABC News|access-date=October 7, 2016}} Finn had previously worked for Twitter and as a digital strategist for the RNC and the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Because Finn's selection came after the ballot paperwork deadlines, Finn did not appear on any of the state ballots. Instead, McMullin's friend's name, Nathan Johnson, was submitted as a placeholder.

McMullin's support surged in Utah in October after the release of a 2005 audio recording in which Donald Trump was heard bragging in lewd terms about making sexual advances on women.{{cite news |url=http://www.politico.com/story/2016/10/donald-trump-tape-evan-mcmullin-229712 |work=Politico |date=October 13, 2016 |title=Trump's lurid tape just made Evan McMullin relevant}} McMullin's popularity in Utah – and Trump's unpopularity – appears owing to an unusual shift of Mormons away from the Republican candidate. Prognosticators gave McMullin a 3–10% chance of winning the state.{{cite news|last1=Morris|first1=Benjamin|title=How Evan McMullin Could Win Utah And The Presidency|url=https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/how-evan-mcmullin-could-win-utah-and-the-presidency/?ex_cid=2016-forecast|access-date=October 14, 2016|work=FiveThirtyEight|date=October 13, 2016}} Had McMullin won Utah, it would have been the first time since 1968 that a non-major-party candidate won a state.{{cite web|url=http://www.sltrib.com/news/4485415-155/evan-mcmullin-takes-the-lead-in|title=Evan McMullin takes the lead in latest Utah presidential poll|work=Salt Lake Tribune|date=October 19, 2016|access-date=October 21, 2016}}

Ultimately, McMullin's best performance came in Utah, his native state, where he came in third place, receiving 21.5% of the state's popular vote, behind both Donald Trump (who received 45.5% and the state's six electoral votes) and Hillary Clinton (who received 27.5%).{{cite web|url=https://electionresults.utah.gov/elections/federal|title=Utah Election Preliminary Results: Statewide Federal: President/Vice President|publisher=Utah Secretary of State|access-date=December 30, 2016|archive-date=February 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225133719/https://electionresults.utah.gov/elections/federal|url-status=dead}} He also took third in Idaho with 6.7%.{{cite web|url=https://www.sos.idaho.gov/ELECT/results/2016/General/statewide_totals.html|publisher=Secretary of State of Idaho|date=December 30, 2016|title=Nov 08, 2016 General Election Results: Statewide Totals}} Nationwide, McMullin received 734,737 votes (0.5%), (0.7%) in the states he was on the ballot. After the election, McMullin said that "the fight would continue" for a "new conservative movement" reaching out to "non-traditional conservative voters ... who feel disaffected". It might, he said, form a new political party.Danica Lawrence, [http://fox13now.com/2016/11/09/evan-mcmullin-talks-future-of-conservative-movement-under-trump-presidency/ Evan McMullin talks future of conservative movement under Trump presidency], KSTU (November 9, 2016).{{cite news |last=England |first=Katie |url=http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/despite-loss-mcmullin-and-supporters-look-forward-to-continuing-new/article_bcc0f64d-f21f-59db-a022-c8858e8c7756.html |title=Despite loss, McMullin and supporters look forward to continuing new, conservative movement |work=Provo Daily Herald |date=November 9, 2016 |access-date=January 16, 2018 |archive-date=November 12, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161112041800/http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/despite-loss-mcmullin-and-supporters-look-forward-to-continuing-new/article_bcc0f64d-f21f-59db-a022-c8858e8c7756.html |url-status=dead }} While running for president in 2016, McMullin's campaign amassed about $664,000 in debt to campaign vendors, mostly from legal fees.{{cite news |url=https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=5191365&itype=cmsid|title=McMullin owes nearly $670,000 for his failed presidential bid|website=The Salt Lake Tribune|date=April 19, 2017}}Dennis Romboy, [https://www.deseret.com/utah/2022/10/4/23387738/evan-mcmullin-lawsuit-club-for-growth-attack-ad-mike-lee-senate-race Evan McMullin sues Club for Growth, Utah TV stations over attack ad], Deseret News (October 5, 2022). It is common for unsuccessful presidential campaigns to incur such debts, and McMullin said in 2022 that he was committed to paying down the debts. Utah businessman and former Republican Kimball Parker Dean wrote that McMullin's 2022 Senate campaign raised the possibility that he could use the funds he raises to pay those debts.{{cite web |author=Parker |first=Kimball Dean |date=February 21, 2022 |title=Evan McMullin should not use campaign funds to pay past debts |url=https://utahpolicy.com/politics/62778-guest-opinion-evan-mcmullin-should-not-use-campaign-funds-to-pay-past-debts?amp |access-date=February 21, 2022 |website=Utahpolicy.com |publisher=Utah Policy}}

After the 2016 campaign, McMullin has continued to be strongly critical of Trump and Putin. In a December 2016 op-ed, McMullin attacked Trump as a threat to American constitutional government, saying that the president-elect's actions were "consistent with the authoritarian playbook" and "undermined critical democratic norms including peaceful debate and transitions of power, commitment to truth, freedom from foreign interference and abstention from the use of executive power for political retribution".

In January 2017, McMullin and his former running mate Finn announced the establishment of a 501(c)(4) organization, Stand Up Republic.Jennifer Rubin, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2017/01/25/evan-mcmullin-makes-a-splash-by-going-after-trump-and-putin/ Evan McMullin makes a splash by going after Trump and Putin], The Washington Post (January 25, 2017). The group, a nonpartisan organization, was formed as a watchdog group criticizing Trump administration on democracy issues.{{cite web |last=McCombs |first=Brady |url=http://elections.ap.org/content/evan-mcmullin-starts-group-serve-trump-watchdog |title=Evan McMullin starts group to serve as Trump watchdog |publisher=Associated Press |date=January 25, 2017 |access-date=January 26, 2017 |archive-date=January 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170128150159/http://elections.ap.org/content/evan-mcmullin-starts-group-serve-trump-watchdog |url-status=dead }} The group focuses on "defense of democratic (small 'd') norms, constitutionalism and civic involvement". Speaking on so-called "alternative facts" McMullin said: "Undermining truth is a typical authoritarian tactic. It is incredibly dangerous ... We never thought we'd be talking about this in America." In a February 2017 op-ed, McMullin wrote, "President Trump's disturbing Russian connections present an acute danger to American national security." He called upon congressional Republicans to "recommit to patriotic prudence" and "demand that Attorney General Jeff Sessions appoint an independent special counsel to investigate Russia's assault on American democracy and Mr. Trump's possible collusion with the Kremlin".Evan McMullin, [https://www.nytimes.com/2017/02/17/opinion/a-party-to-the-russian-connection.html Republicans, Protect the Nation], The New York Times (February 17, 2017).

In 2020, McMullin endorsed Joe Biden over Trump in the 2020 presidential election, writing that "We now face a choice between the road to freedom and the road to tyranny. ... I'll put country over party in November." He was involved in early discussions with dozens of former Republican officials about forming a new center-right political party, and organized the May 2021 release of the political manifesto "A Call for American Renewal" with Miles Taylor.

{{main|2022 United States Senate election in Utah}}

On October 5, 2021, McMullin launched an independent campaign to unseat U.S. Senator Mike Lee in the 2022 election.{{cite web |last1=Forgey |first1=Quint |title=Evan McMullin announces Utah Senate bid |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2021/10/05/evan-mcmullin-utah-senate-bid-515129 |website=Politico |access-date=October 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005170822if_/https://www.politico.com/news/2021/10/05/evan-mcmullin-utah-senate-bid-515129 |archive-date=October 5, 2021 |language=en |date=October 5, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Romboy |first1=Dennis |title=Former independent presidential candidate Evan McMullin sets his sights on Utah Sen. Mike Lee |url=https://www.deseret.com/utah/2021/10/5/22710148/former-independent-presidential-candidate-evan-mcmullin-sets-his-sights-utah-sen-mike-lee |website=Deseret News |access-date=October 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211005171106if_/https://www.deseret.com/utah/2021/10/5/22710148/former-independent-presidential-candidate-evan-mcmullin-sets-his-sights-utah-sen-mike-lee |archive-date=October 5, 2021 |language=en |date=October 5, 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Gehrke |first1=Robert |title=One-time presidential candidate Evan McMullin will mount an independent bid to oust Republican Sen. Mike Lee, Robert Gehrke reports |url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2021/10/04/one-time-presidential/ |website=The Salt Lake Tribune |access-date=October 4, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211004121219if_/https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2021/10/04/one-time-presidential/ |archive-date=October 4, 2021 |date=October 4, 2021 |url-status=live}} He announced his candidacy in the Deseret News, writing, "We do not need the extremists, the dividers, or the self-serving opportunists who haunt the halls of Congress today. We need selfless, servant leaders who unite rather than divide, seek solutions rather than attention, and who will consistently put the interests of Utahns and our country first. That's why I'm running to replace Sen. Mike Lee and to represent Utah, and our values, in the United States Senate."{{cite web|last=McMullin |first=Evan |url=https://www.deseret.com/opinion/2021/10/20/22724636/utah-senate-evan-mcmullin-mike-lee-candidate-jan6-captain-moroni |title=Opinion: Why I am running to replace Sen. Mike Lee |work=Deseret News|date=October 20, 2021 |accessdate=April 25, 2022}} McMullin named "our unmooring from truth" as the greatest threat to America, specifically condemning conspiracism, misinformation, and divisiveness as threats to American democracy.Dennis Romboy, [https://www.deseret.com/utah/2022/7/11/23203889/what-does-independent-senate-even-mcmullin-biggest-threat-us-mitt-romney-cheney-kinzinger-jan6 What Senate candidate Evan McMullin sees as the biggest threat to the U.S.], Deseret News (July 11, 2022).

Two high-profile Utah Democratic officials, former Representative Ben McAdams and Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson, endorsed McMullin by March 2022.{{cite web|last=Romboy |first=Dennis |url=https://www.deseret.com/utah/2022/3/7/22965925/utah-democrat-jenny-wilson-backing-independent-evan-mcmullin-senate-race-mike-lee-kael-weston |title=Why another high-profile Utah Democrat is backing an independent in U.S. Senate race|work=Deseret News|date=March 7, 2022 |accessdate=April 25, 2022}} In April 2022, both the Utah chapter of the American Solidarity Party and the Utah Democratic Party decided to endorse McMullin's independent candidacy for Senate, rather than field candidates of their own.{{Cite press release |last=Miguel |first=Randy |date=2022-04-19 |title=Utah Solidarity Party State Committee Endorses Evan McMullin for U.S. Senate|url=https://www.utahsolidarity.party/blog/evanmcmullin |access-date=2022-05-23 |publisher=Utah Solidarity Party |language=en-US}}{{cite web|last=Cole |first=Devan |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/24/politics/utah-democrats-evan-mcmullin-mike-lee/index.html |title=Utah Democrats throw support behind independent Evan McMullin to take on Mike Lee |publisher=CNN |date= April 24, 2022|accessdate=April 25, 2022}} McMullin pledged, if elected, to caucus with neither the Democrats nor the Republicans.Jonathan Weisman, [https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/17/us/politics/utah-senate-debate-lee-mcmullin.html 5 Takeaways From the Utah Senate Debate], New York Times (October 17, 2022).{{cite web|date=October 17, 2022|author=Aaron Blake|title=The potential sleeper races of 2022, from Utah to Oregon|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/10/17/2022-sleeper-surprise-races/|newspaper=Washington Post|quote=McMullin reiterated this weekend that he wouldn't caucus with Republicans or Democrats. ...Every reputable, nonpartisan poll shows this is a single-digit race; some even have McMullin up by a slight margin. Republicans are certainly paying attention.}} Utah's other U.S. Senator, Mitt Romney, stayed neutral in the race.{{cite web|author=Hannah Knowles|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2022/10/14/utah-senate-mcmullin-lee-romney/|title=Romney aides irked by Lee plea for support, highlighting GOP divide in Utah|newspaper=Washington Post|date=October 14, 2022|quote=the final weeks of Lee's reelection bid, a more competitive race than many anticipated...Now, Lee was on national television urging Romney to reconsider in the final weeks, as some polling showed McMullin within striking distance of him in a ruby-red state.}} Lee was favored to win the race, as most (but not all) polls showed Lee with a single-digit lead over McMullin; the race was viewed as unusually competitive for Utah, which is typically a deeply Republican state.{{cite web|url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2022-election-forecast/senate/utah|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630161925/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2022-election-forecast/senate/utah/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 30, 2022|title=2022 Election Forecast: Senate: Utah|work=FiveThirtyEight|date=June 30, 2022 |access-date=October 17, 2022}} McMullin lost the election to Lee 53.2–42.8% but had the best performance by a non-Republican since 1976. Lee's vote share was down 15 points from his 68.2% six years prior.{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/2022-midterm-elections-evan-mcmullin-constitutions-utah-03e15ddc19661a89f4bda40c1be6b706|title=Utah Republican Mike Lee wins reelection to US Senate|date=November 9, 2022|website=AP News}}

McMullin has spoken out against partisanship and extremism in politics, stating that those extremes do not accurately represent Utah or the country as a whole, and has embraced being an independent. He has said that extremism is jeopardizing American government.

McMullin supports free trade,{{cite news|author=Jennifer Rubin|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2016/08/18/interview-with-evan-mcmullin-the-center-right-candidate/ |title=Interview with Evan McMullin, the center-right candidate |date=August 18, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=August 19, 2016}} pointing to the economic benefits of international trade. He supported NAFTA of 1994 and the original Trans-Pacific Partnership. McMullin supports a reduction in the corporate income tax and individual income tax,{{cite web| author1=Dennis Romboy |author2=Lisa Riley Roche |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865664866/Presidential-candidate-Evan-McMullin-running-to-win-start-new-conservative-movement.html?pg=all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022095104/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865664866/Presidential-candidate-Evan-McMullin-running-to-win-start-new-conservative-movement.html?pg=all |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 22, 2016 |title=Presidential candidate Evan McMullin running to win, start new conservative movement| website=Deseret News |date=October 14, 2016}} as well as the estate tax.[https://www.isidewith.com/candidate-guide/evan-mcmullin/economic/estate-tax Evan McMullin's political views on estate tax] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022091320/https://www.isidewith.com/candidate-guide/evan-mcmullin/economic/estate-tax |date=October 22, 2016}}, ISideWith: "Evan McMullin personally submitted this answer on September 6th, 2016." McMullin favors cuts to entitlement programs such as Social Security, and has proposed means-testing the program and raising the retirement age.

McMullin accepts the scientific consensus on climate change, saying: "I do believe that the climate is changing, and I do believe that human activity is contributing to it. If I were president, I would increase investment in technologies that can help us limit and decrease our carbon emissions."

On the Syrian Civil War, McMullin described himself as a "vocal advocate for international action that would stop Assad's slaughter of innocent Syrians, and eventually set the stage for a negotiated departure from the country".S.E. Cupp, [http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/13/opinions/mcmullin-conversation-utah-cupp/ The conversation Evan McMullin wants to have], CNN (October 13, 2016). McMullin also has said: "We should have done more to support the moderate Syrian opposition, and we still need to do that. They haven't received sufficient support or training, and we know how to do that very well." In 2016, McMullin expressed support for imposing a no-fly zone over Syria "to stop the aerial bombardment of Syrian population centers".

McMullin opposes the use of torture, while supporting keeping the Guantanamo Bay detention camp open. McMullin has harshly criticized the international nuclear agreement with Iran. He stated: "We've got to certainly enforce the deal as it is, but I believe in strengthening sanctions on Iran to force them to make further concessions. I also believe in putting the military option clearly back on the table if Iran decides to not keep its end of the deal and if it ultimately decides to pursue nuclear weapons."[https://www.evanmcmullin.com/evan_mcmullin_s_response_to_reuters_story_regarding_secret_exemptions_for_iran_after_nuclear_deal Evan McMullin's response to Reuters' story regarding 'secret' exemptions for Iran after nuclear deal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022090600/https://www.evanmcmullin.com/evan_mcmullin_s_response_to_reuters_story_regarding_secret_exemptions_for_iran_after_nuclear_deal |date=October 22, 2016}} (press release), McMullin for President Committee, Inc. (September 1, 2016).

McMullin told ABC News that he believed Donald Trump's public comments were frustrating U.S. counterterrorism efforts. "What he doesn't realize is that we actually depend on Muslims to do counterterrorism, to wage war against terrorists." Trump's remarks concerning Muslims "decreases their willingness to work with us, with other Muslims, and that impedes our ability to destroy ISIS".{{cite web |last=Stark|first=Liz |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/evan-mcmullin-donald-trump-dangerous-isis/story?id=41307571 |title=Why Evan McMullin Says Donald Trump Is More Dangerous Than ISIS |publisher=ABC News |date=August 11, 2016 |access-date=August 25, 2016}} McMullin also criticized Trump's "allegiance to [Russian President] Vladimir Putin" and accused Putin of engaging in a campaign to destabilize European and North American countries "through fomenting discord between different racial groups, different ethnic groups, and different religious groups".{{cite news|last1=Jacobs|first1=Ben|title=Evan McMullin on his presidential bid: 'Someone needed to step up' to Trump |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/sep/20/evan-mcmullin-independent-presidential-candidate-trump |access-date=October 11, 2016|work=The Guardian|date=September 20, 2016}}

In 2014, McMullin helped to bring Caesar, a defected Syrian military photographer who leaked 55,000 images depicting abuses by the regime (which formed the basis for the 2014 Syrian detainee report), to speak before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, according to The Christian Science Monitor. McMullin clashed with State Department officials he suspected were holding up the hearing. McMullin claimed that State Department officials wanted to have a closed hearing.{{cite web |last=Iaconangelo |first=David |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2016/0827/Why-this-independent-candidate-is-hoping-the-center-can-hold |title=Why this independent candidate is hoping the center can hold |work=The Christian Science Monitor |date=August 27, 2016 |access-date=August 28, 2016}}

McMullin supported overturning Roe v. Wade in 2016.{{cite web|url=https://www.evanmcmullin.com/life|title=On the Issues: Life|publisher=Evan McMullin for President|access-date=August 8, 2016|author=|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808190242/https://www.evanmcmullin.com/life|archive-date=August 8, 2016|url-status=dead}}[http://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2016/10/17/how-evan-mcmullin-could-win 5 Takeaways From Independent Presidential Candidate Evan McMullin], WBUR (October 17, 2016). After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, McMullin issued a statement saying, "I believe the never-ending conflict over abortion laws threatens a public health crisis and further divide the country on an issue where there is common ground."{{cite tweet|user=EvanMcMullin|number=1540411619435372544|title=My statement on today's Supreme Court decision.}} He described himself as "pro-life" and said that he "opposed politicians at the extremes of both parties on the issue, those who would ban all abortions without exceptions and those who oppose all restrictions." McMullin said that states should be largely responsible for setting abortion policy and supported Utah's abortion trigger law as "a good starting place".Emily Anderson Stern, [https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2022/10/17/where-do-mike-lee-evan-mcmullin/ Both Republican incumbent Sen. Mike Lee and his challenger, independent Evan McMullin, identify as conservatives. How are they different?], The Salt Lake Tribune (October 17, 2022). He criticized "extreme" state laws enacted after Dobbs, including bans on all abortions, and said that the federal government should act to block laws that ban abortions for victims of rape, ban residents from traveling to obtain an abortion, and ban contraceptives. McMullin added, "When we do more to help women and children, abortions decline. Making contraceptives more available and otherwise doing much more to support families is what truly protects life." The statement echoed McMullin's past calls for more policies that support women, children, and families. McMullin said that, if elected, he would vote against bills to ban abortion nationwide.{{Cite web |title=Where does U.S. Senate candidate Evan McMullin stand on abortion? |url=https://www.deseret.com/utah/2022/5/10/23065344/independent-evan-mcmullin-stance-abortion-roe-wade-supreme-court-leak-opinion-mike-lee |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=Deseret News |date=May 10, 2022 |language=en}} In previous statements, McMullin said there was common ground between Americans who support and oppose abortion rights, criticized the divisive "never-ending tug-of-war" of the abortion debate, and noted that the number of U.S. abortions has been declining for years.{{cite podcast| url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anM5j3pIb1c| publisher=Bryan Tyler Cohen| title=Deep RED Senate seat suddenly IN PLAY for 2022 | host=Bryan Tyler Cohen| date=January 2, 2022| access-date=January 20, 2022}}

On same-sex marriage, McMullin said that he believes in the "traditional marriage between a man and a woman" but he "respects" the Supreme Court's decision in Obergefell v. Hodges (which found that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marry) and thinks it is "time to move on" from the issue.{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/politics/videos/2016-08-10/evan-mcmullin-on-same-sex-marriage-cia-goldman-sachs |title=Independent Presidential Candidate Evan McMullin on Same-Sex Marriage, CIA, Goldman Sachs |publisher=Bloomberg |date=August 10, 2016 |access-date=August 10, 2016}} McMullin's mother is in a same-sex marriage, having married another woman after separating from his father, and McMullin has said, "As far as my mother's marriage is concerned, I believe in the sanctity of traditional marriage. It is an important part of my faith. My mother has a different view. That is OK. I love her very much."

During his 2016 presidential campaign, McMullin said that if elected, he would appoint originalist judges to the Supreme Court, "in the mold of Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas". On immigration, McMullin supports border security but not mass deportation. He criticized immigration policy based on family reunification, taking the position that U.S. economic policy should be based on serving the nation's economic interests by attracting the talented. In 2016, McMullin expressed support for the provision of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act that blocks health insurance companies from denying coverage or discriminating against people with preexisting conditions. He also stated, "we also need to do better than ObamaCare."{{cite web |last=Byrnes |first=Jesse |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/291875-mcmullin-trump-trying-to-tear-the-country-apart/ |title=McMullin: Trump 'trying to tear the country apart' |work=The Hill |date=August 18, 2016 |access-date=August 19, 2016}} McMullin has also supported allowing Medicare to negotiate prices for prescription drugs.

McMullin is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.{{cite web|url=https://religionnews.com/2017/07/17/mormons-trump-and-mcmullin-a-2016-postmortem-by-the-numbers/|author=Jana Riess|publisher=Religion News Service|title=Mormons, Trump and McMullin: A 2016 postmortem by the numbers|date=July 17, 2017}} In June 2021, McMullin married Emily Norton.{{cite web |date=April 8, 2021 |title=Opinion: Evan McMullin is back, and he's ready to reshape American politics |url=https://www.deseret.com/2021/4/7/22353618/evan-mcmullin-miles-taylor-new-third-party-gop-republican-founding-ideals-trump-vision |access-date=April 25, 2022 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}{{cite web|author=Dennis Romboy|url=https://www.deseret.com/utah/2021/10/5/22710148/former-independent-presidential-candidate-evan-mcmullin-sets-his-sights-utah-sen-mike-lee|title=Former independent presidential candidate Evan McMullin sets his sights on Utah Sen. Mike Lee|newspaper=Deseret News|date=October 5, 2021}} He has five stepchildren from his wife's previous marriage (her first husband died of brain cancer in 2016).Dennis Romboy, [https://www.deseret.com/2022/9/2/23293486/evan-mcmullin-wife-us-senate-campaign-mike-lee Instant family: How U.S. Senate candidate Evan McMullin became a husband and father overnight], Deseret News (September 2, 2022). The family lives in Highland, Utah.

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• [https://evanmcmullin.com/ Evan McMullin for Utah] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024010823/https://evanmcmullin.com/ |date=October 24, 2021 }} campaign website
• [https://standuprepublic.com/ Stand Up Republic]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9pNKTNlp6w/ Evan McMullin's TEDx Talk] given at London Business School
• {{C-SPAN|104324}}

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