SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Third-party candidate Jim Bennett has earned a place in a televised debate for candidates running to replace Republican Jason Chaffetz in Congress.
The Utah Debate Commission announced Friday that Bennett, the son of former Sen. Bob Bennett, met the group’s polling threshold and can participate.
Jim Bennett is running as the first candidate of the new United Utah party staking out a centrist position.
The Utah Debate Commission says it’s the first time in its three-year history that a third-party candidate has qualified.
Bennett earned 6 percent in the commission’s poll of 600 people. The poll had a 4 percent margin of error so debate organizers say Bennett effectively meets their 10 percent participation threshold.
Bennett will face Republican Provo Mayor John Curtis and Democratic physician Kathie Allen in the Oct. 18 debate.
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