Jonny Larsen
Role at the time: Democratic candidate for U.S. House in Utah's 4th district, in an email to Dispute Index
Condemned
Statement summary
Jonny Larsen, the Democratic candidate for U.S. House in Utah's 4th district, said in an email to Dispute Index that he would vote for a war powers resolution to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran and "ensure our troops come home asap." He said he has said so publicly since "the illegal war began."
“Yes I would vote for the resolution and ensure our troops come home asap. I have said so publicly since the illegal war began.”
Read the full email
Yes I would vote for the resolution and ensure our troops come home asap. I have said so publicly since the illegal war began. Here is the record. What I said on stage at the Utah Debate Commission's 4th District debate, Oct 8, 2026 (video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xFxqYRtqzqI): At 5:27, asked about gas prices: "The immediate thing that we can do right now is end this illegal war. My opponent over here voted against the War Powers Resolution Act six times. He had an interview back in April with KSVC where he actually stated that he didn't want forever wars, yet his vote does not represent that. As a veteran myself, who did two tours in combat, I understand that cost and that price that we pay with American blood." At 7:27, asked what role Congress should play: "Congress's duty, Article 1, Section 8, gives us the power to declare war. The President currently has the power to declare war under an emergency for 60 days and to bring our troops home, within 30. My opponent gave that constitutional duty up." The six votes are House roll calls 85, 114, 170, 199, 282 and 307 of 2026 (Mar 5, Apr 16, May 14, June 3, July 23, Sept 15), each on a concurrent resolution under section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution; Rep. Kennedy voted no on all six. KSL's Truth Test rated the "six times" statement true. Coverage this year: Feb 28, ABC4: Utah leaders react after U.S., Israel launch major attack on Iran. I called the strike unconstitutional because Congress never approved it. https://www.abc4.com/news/politics/utah-leaders-react-u-s-israel-attack-on-iran/ Mar 23, KSVC 980 AM, Richfield: interview, including what Congress can do about the conflict with Iran. https://midutahradio.com/news-community-interviews/ Oct 8, Deseret News: Mike Kennedy and Jonny Larsen disagree on Iran war and gas prices in Utah's 4th District debate. https://www.deseret.com/politics/2026/10/08/cd-4-debate-snow-college/ Oct 8, KSL: Candidates clash over Iran war, gas prices in Utah 4th District debate. https://www.ksl.com/article/51634187/watch-live-4th-congressional-district-candidates-make-their-case-on-debate-stage Oct 8, KSL Truth Test: fact-checking debate claims in Utah's 4th Congressional District (the six votes, rated true). https://www.ksl.com/article/51634264/ksl-truth-test-fact-checking-debate-claims-in-utahs-4th-congressional-district Oct 8, KUER: Mike Kennedy, Jonny Larsen spar over gas prices and Iran in Utah 4th District debate. https://www.kuer.org/politics-government/2026-10-08/4th-congressional-debate-recap-mike-kennedy-jonny-larsen-gas-prices-iran-war-healthcare Oct 9, Salt Lake Tribune: Rep. Mike Kennedy and veteran Jonny Larsen debate Iran War and affordability in fight for 4th Congressional District. https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2026/10/09/utahs-4th-congressional-district/ Oct 9, Utah News Dispatch: In debate, Utah Rep. Kennedy says he's "just getting started" while Dem calls him a "lap dog." https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/10/09/in-debate-utah-rep-kennedy-says-hes-just-getting-started-while-dem-calls-him-a-lap-dog/ Oct 12, Utah Public Radio: Housing, Iran, and public lands divide 4th Congressional District candidates. https://www.upr.org/politics/2026-10-12/mike-kennedy-jonny-larsen-4th-district-housing-iran-public-lands Oct 12, Salt Lake Tribune voter guide, my answers in my own words, including the war as the main driver of costs. https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2026/10/12/us-rep-mike-kennedy-faces-steven/
Why we used 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. Larsen says he would vote for the resolution and bring the troops home, and calls the war illegal, which opposes continuing the operation, so we labeled it Condemned.