Candidates Vie for Utah's 4 Congressional Seats

New district map shakes up the political landscape ahead of midterm elections

Mar. 12, 2026 at 10:48pm

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Utah's new congressional district map is in place for the upcoming midterm elections, with candidates having until Friday to file to run for one of the state's four congressional seats. The new map has shaken up the political landscape, with the 1st Congressional District now likely to send a Democrat to Congress. Several candidates from both parties are running in each district, with some seeking to qualify for the primary ballot through the convention process and others collecting signatures.

Why it matters

The new congressional district map in Utah is expected to have a significant impact on the state's political landscape, with the 1st District now seen as a potential pickup for Democrats. This could shift the balance of power in Utah's congressional delegation, which has been solidly Republican in recent years. The primary races will also test the strength of the state's anti-gerrymandering law, which is facing legal challenges from a Republican-led group.

The details

Under the new map, Utah's 1st Congressional District is anchored in northern Salt Lake County and is likely to send a Democrat to Congress, unlike the previous version which gave Republicans an advantage in all four districts. This has led to a crowded field of Democratic candidates vying for the seat, including current and former state lawmakers, a city council member, and a former congressman. The other three districts remain solidly Republican, with the incumbents facing challenges from within their own party. Candidates can qualify for the primary ballot either by winning a certain percentage of votes during their party's nominating convention or by collecting 7,000 signatures.

  • The filing deadline for candidates is Friday, March 17, 2026.
  • Utah's primaries are scheduled for June 23, 2026.
  • Election Day is November 3, 2026.

The players

Nate Blouin

A Democrat who has served in the Utah state Senate since 2023.

Burgess Owens

A Republican who currently represents Utah's 4th Congressional District but announced he will not seek reelection this year.

Ben McAdams

A Democrat who served as mayor of Salt Lake County and in Congress from 2019 to 2021.

Blake Moore

A Republican who has served in Congress since 2021 and is the vice chairman of the House Republican Conference.

Celeste Maloy

A Republican who has served in Congress since 2023, replacing former Rep. Chris Stewart.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the Republican-led group's challenge to Utah's anti-gerrymandering law to proceed.

The takeaway

The new congressional district map in Utah is expected to have a significant impact on the state's political landscape, with the 1st District now seen as a potential pickup for Democrats. This could shift the balance of power in Utah's congressional delegation, which has been solidly Republican in recent years.