Maloy and Jenkins face-off in debate for 2nd Congressional District seat

SALT LAKE CITY–  The first of several GOP Primary debates happened Monday between incumbent Celeste Maloy and military veteran Colby Jenkins for the 2nd Congressional District seat. 

Maloy seeks to secure her first full term. She was elected to the seat last fall, and Jenkins earned the backing of Utah Senator Mike Lee.

Both candidates took the stage inside the Eccles Broadcast Center at the University of Utah. When questions opened to the public, a student at Southern Utah University asked about what they would do to secure water for years to come.

“Next to closing the border and securing the border. The number one priority is fighting for and securing our water and our land,” said Jenkins. 

“A lot of people think they’re water experts right now, and I actually am one. But this is a tricky question because water belongs to the state,” answered Maloy.

In a standout moment, candidates were asked about their stance on bills by using baseball terminology to gauge whether they would vote against a bill or support it as a compromise.

“I’m not very athletic, but even I know it’s better to hit a grand slam. I also know that you can’t hit a grand slam every single play,” said Maloy. 

“Yes, the Democrats have been hitting singles and doubles and scoring for the last three and a half years,” said Jenkins. “The only reason they’ve succeeded in doing that is because our slim majority has allowed them to do that.”

Both candidates said they would vote for Donald Trump in the presidential election. 

Related reading:

• Utah GOP Primary debates begin Monday
• How does Utah ensure election security ahead of election season?
• Gov. Cox forced into primary at convention, criticizes caucus-convention system