Kent Udell calls the Iran war unnecessary and says Congress never approved it
Kent UdellDemocratic candidate for U.S. House in Utah's 3rd district, in an emailed statement sent by his campaign
Kent Udell, the Democratic candidate for U.S. House in Utah's 3rd district, said in a statement sent by his campaign that the war in Iran was not approved by Congress and is unnecessary, and that the country should invest at home instead of bombing children in Iran.
“This war is unnecessary and we should be investing in our country instead of bombing children in Iran.”
Emailed statement
Read the full email
Dr. Kent Udell does not support the illegal war in Iran. Here is a quote from him: "I do not support the use of oppression, bigotry or violence for political gain. The war in Iran was not approved by Congress and under the U.S. Constitution, Congress has the exclusive power to formally declare war. This war is unnecessary and we should be investing in our country instead of bombing children in Iran."
Where this statement fits
Do they support the war in Iran?
An issue tracker recording where members of Congress and 2026 congressional candidates stand on continued U.S. military operations against Iran, based on their votes, campaign statements, and public remarks.
Source and context
Emailed statement
Emailed statement from Kent Udell's campaign to Dispute Index on the Iran war
Dr. Kent Udell does not support the illegal war in Iran. Here is a quote from him: "I do not support the use of oppression, bigotry or violence for political gain. The war in Iran was not approved by Congress and under the U.S. Constitution, Congress has the exclusive power to formally declare war. This war is unnecessary and we should be investing in our country instead of bombing children in Iran."
About this source
Cherise Udell, chair of the Committee to Elect Kent Udell, sent this statement by email in reply to a Dispute Index question on the Iran war, introducing it as a quote from Kent Udell. The link is to his campaign Facebook page; the statement itself is not published there. The text is reproduced as sent, without the sign-off.
Before the quotation
Dispute Index asked Udell whether he would vote for a war powers resolution directing the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran. Cherise Udell, chair of his campaign committee, replied that he "does not support the illegal war in Iran" and sent a quote from him that opens, "I do not support the use of oppression, bigotry or violence for political gain."
After the quotation
Udell said, "The war in Iran was not approved by Congress and under the U.S. Constitution, Congress has the exclusive power to formally declare war." The email gives no further detail on how he would vote on a war powers resolution.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The case tracks support for continued U.S. military operations against Iran, including whether a candidate would vote for a war powers resolution to remove U.S. forces from hostilities. Udell's campaign says he does not support the war, and he calls it unnecessary and unapproved by Congress, which opposes continuing the operation, so we labeled it Condemned. The statement does not say directly how he would vote on a war powers resolution.
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- Published here
More from this case
Read the full caseZyon Khalifa says he would vote for a war powers resolution to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran
“Yes.”Read statement
Vic Mellor would vote no on a war powers resolution to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran
“Vic would vote NO on a War Powers Resolution directing the removal of U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran.”Read statement
James Byrd's campaign says he opposes unauthorized military interventions and wants de-escalation with Iran
“James Byrd’s stance on foreign policy and war centers on opposing unauthorized military interventions and prioritizing domestic stability over foreign nation-building.”Read statement
Cite this record
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- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Kent Udell calls the Iran war unnecessary and says Congress never approved it
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- https://disputeindex.com/events/4606-kent-udell-the-democratic-candidate-for-u-s
Last updated marks the most recent saved version of this published statement.
The Dispute Index. "Kent Udell calls the Iran war unnecessary and says Congress never approved it". First published: 2026-10-05. Last updated: 2026-10-05. https://disputeindex.com/events/4606-kent-udell-the-democratic-candidate-for-u-s