Key facts
- Utah's primary elections on Tuesday will feature new congressional district boundaries.
- The redistricting aims to reduce partisanship following a court ruling against the previous map.
- A new, Democratic-leaning district based in Salt Lake City could result in an additional Democratic seat.
- Several incumbent Republican representatives face primary challenges.
- Donald Trump has endorsed three incumbent Republicans running for reelection.
Utah voters are participating in primary elections Tuesday, with new congressional district maps reshaping the political landscape. The state's Republican-controlled legislature's initial redistricting plan was invalidated by a court for violating a 2018 voter-backed measure aimed at reducing partisanship. The Utah Supreme Court upheld this decision, leading to the adoption of new boundaries.
The reshuffling includes a new, Democratic-friendly 1st Congressional District in Salt Lake City, which could potentially yield an additional Democratic seat. In this district, former Democratic U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams is seeking a return to Congress, facing state Sen. Nate Blouin, tax attorney Michael Farrell, and former policy analyst Liban Mohamed. McAdams has a significant fundraising advantage over his primary opponents.
Republican U.S. Rep. Blake Moore, currently representing the 1st District, is running for a fourth term in the newly drawn 2nd Congressional District. He faces a primary challenge from state Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, who narrowly defeated him in a delegate nomination vote. Lisonbee has criticized Moore for his role in passing the 2018 redistricting law.
In the expansive new 3rd Congressional District, Republican U.S. Rep. Celeste Maloy is seeking a second full term and is challenged by former state Rep. Phil Lyman. Maloy narrowly secured the nomination vote at the state convention, but Lyman also qualified for the primary ballot.
Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Kennedy is running unopposed for renomination in the new 4th Congressional District. Notably, Republican U.S. Rep. Burgess Owens of the current 4th District is not seeking reelection.
President Donald Trump has endorsed the three incumbent Republicans who are seeking reelection. The election comes as Republicans are expected to make gains from redistricting efforts in several states. Polls are set to close at 8 p.m. Mountain Time (10 p.m. Eastern Time).