GOP incumbents Moore, Maloy fend off challengers; McAdams wins Democratic primary

SALT LAKE CITY — Former Rep. Ben McAdams is on track to secure the Democratic nomination in Utah’s 1st Congressional District while both Republican incumbent representatives beat back primary challengers, the Associated Press projects.

Rep. Blake Moore fended off a primary challenge from state Rep. Karianne Lisonbee and looks to be well on his way to securing a fourth term in Congress in the heavily conservative 2nd Congressional District. Moore received 58% of the vote, compared to 42% for Lisonbee, according to early results.

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Rep. Celeste Maloy was also projected the winner of her race in Utah’s 3rd Congressional District and leads former state Rep. Phil Lyman 67%-33%.

“Tonight, the people of Utah’s 1st Congressional District sent a message: They want results,” McAdams said in a statement. “They want someone who has done this work before, who knows how to build coalitions, who will stand up to corruption without hesitation and who will never stop fighting for the families that need it most.”

McAdams, who previously served one term in Congress from 2019 to 2021, bested multiple Democratic contenders, including state Sen. Nate Blouin, former tech lobbyist Liban Mohamed and attorney Michael Farrell. He will face Riley Owen, a Republican, and Libertarian Jesse West in the November general election.

“We have real work ahead,” McAdams added. “Families in this district are working harder than ever and still falling behind on rent. The Great Salt Lake is disappearing. Our democracy is under attack. People are counting on us to stand up for them against corruption and the assault on our democracy, and to move forward solutions that will bring down the cost of housing, gas, groceries and make sure their health care is affordable.”

The race in Utah’s 1st Congressional District has been one of the most closely watched Democratic primaries in years, after a new congressional map gave Democrats an advantage in the district, which is entirely concentrated in Salt Lake County.

McAdams told KSL Tuesday’s results reflect those new boundaries.

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“This is the first time in a long time that Utah voters have been able to express their voice, that they don’t have a district that lines are rigged to guarantee an outcome,” he said. “So this race is going to be determined by whoever gets out there and connects with the voters and earns their trust, and it’s important that voters have the opportunity to choose their elected officials, not politicians choosing what voters they want.”

Seen as the moderate in the race, McAdams benefited from facing three challengers in the primary who likely split the vote of Utahns seeking a more progressive option.

Early results show McAdams with 60% of the vote, followed by Blouin, 24%, Mohamed, 12%, and Farrell, 4%.

Blouin responded to his loss, saying his campaign “was, and is, about resilience.”

“The system, the establishment, and all their money worked overtime to make sure we didn’t have a voice, but we put up a good fight against millions in outside spending and have everything to be proud of,” he said. “The progress movement in Utah still has a long way to go, but we’ve helped forge the path forward, and we’ll keep organizing for a better Utah where public lands are protected, ICE is abolished and reproductive freedom is secure.”

Mohamed said the results were not what he wanted but that “no vote total can measure what this community built.”

“To every volunteer, every voter, every supporter, every family member, every auntie, every neighbor and every person who believed in this campaign, thank you,” he said. “This movement was never only about one election. It was about awakening something in our community that will outlast any campaign. And we are just getting started.”

GOP incumbents advance

Meanwhile, Moore responded to his victory, saying he’s “honored to have the opportunity to continue serving the people of northern Utah.”

“Utahns chose steady conservative leadership and a proven record of delivering results,” he told KSL in a statement. “I’m focused on the issues that matter most to our families and communities: affordability, jobs and wages, cutting taxes, fiscal responsibility, national defense, protecting our values, and securing critical funding for our state.”

Lisonbee, a longtime member of the Utah House, tried to make her primary campaign against Moore a referendum on Utah’s anti-gerrymandering law known as Proposition 4, which he initially supported, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Moore’s incumbency status and support from President Donald Trump.

“I want to thank the people of northern Utah,” Lisonbee said. “I am energized by the conversations I had all across the district. Although this race didn’t go our way, I am grateful to live in this country and I’m inspired by so many who want to see America prosper. I will never stop fighting for the principles that make America great.”

Moore will advance to the general election, where he will face Democrat Peter Crosby, Libertarian Daniel Cottam and Carlton Bowen of the Independent American Party.

Maloy had also earned Trump’s backing. She will face Democrat Kent Udell, Libertarian Michael Stoddard and Cassie Easley of the Constitution Party.

“I am deeply honored by the tremendous support we received across Utah’s new 3rd Congressional District,” she said. “This district spans 18 counties, and over the course of this campaign, I spent countless hours on the road meeting with voters, listening to their concerns, and working to earn their trust. I am excited to continue working hard for Utah and delivering results for the people of the 3rd District.”

Lyman told KSL he called Maloy Tuesday evening to congratulate her.

“The voters have spoken, and I respect their decision,” he said. “I’m grateful to everyone who was part of this campaign. They love Utah and they love America. And I am honored beyond words to be associated with them.”