Republican Rep Burgess Owens to Retire from Congress

The former NFL player and Trump supporter will complete his current term before stepping away from elected office.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Rep. Burgess Owens, a Republican congressman from Utah, has announced that he will not seek reelection in 2026. Owens, a former NFL player and supporter of former President Donald Trump, said he will finish his current term "fully committed" before leaving Congress.

Why it matters

Owens' retirement will leave an open House seat in a competitive district in Utah, setting up a closely watched race in 2026. His decision also comes as a court-ordered redistricting shakeup leaves Utah's four Republican House members competing for three seats in the next election cycle.

The details

Owens, 74, first won his Salt Lake County-based district in 2020, narrowly defeating former Rep. Ben McAdams. He secured reelection in 2022. However, a state judge adopted a new congressional map last year that reshaped district boundaries, leaving Owens and other Republican officials unsuccessfully suing to block the changes.

  • Owens first won his House seat in 2020.
  • Owens was reelected in 2022.
  • A state judge adopted a new congressional map in 2025 that reshaped district boundaries in Utah.

The players

Burgess Owens

A Republican U.S. congressman from Utah and former NFL player who is retiring from Congress after his current term ends.

Ben McAdams

A former Democratic U.S. congressman from Utah who Owens narrowly defeated in 2020.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States, whom Owens has called "an advocate for Black Americans" and said he has been proud to fight alongside.

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What they’re saying

“After prayer, reflection, and many long conversations, I have decided that I will not seek reelection in 2026. I will complete this term fully committed to my work in Washington, D.C., and then step away from elected office.”

— Burgess Owens, U.S. Congressman (foxnews.com)

“I have been proud to fight alongside President Donald J. Trump, whose leadership exposed the insidious spread of Marxism in our country and who has demonstrated that only a proud, focused, and unapologetic America can defeat it. His commitment to working families and his willingness to confront corruption head-on reaffirm that courage still matters in public life.”

— Burgess Owens, U.S. Congressman (foxnews.com)

What’s next

A closely watched race is expected to unfold in 2026 for Owens' open House seat in Utah.

The takeaway

Owens' retirement from Congress comes as a court-ordered redistricting shakeup leaves Utah's Republican House members competing for fewer seats, setting up a competitive race for his open seat in 2026.