Celeste Maloy is the Republican nominee for Utah’s 2nd Congressional District.
The Associated Press called the race at 5:54 p.m. on Sept 6 for Maloy shortly after challenger Becky Edwards conceded. The Cedar City resident garnered a little over 38% of the vote in the special GOP primary election to replace outgoing Republican Rep. Chris Stewart.
“I am both humbled and honored to receive this vote of confidence from Utah’s 2nd Congressional District,” Maloy said in a statement after the race was called. “I will represent the entire district. There will not be an area, a county, or a community in this district that will not have anything less than my full attention as your representative in Congress.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
— Celeste Maloy (@CelesteMaloyUT) September 7, 2023
Thank you CD2 Republicans for your faith and trust! #utpol pic.twitter.com/391HamvjeI
The vote difference between Maloy and Edwards as of Sept. 7 was a narrow 2,431.
Edwards started the primary strong with early returns from Salt Lake and Davis counties, but as rural county votes came in Maloy began to creep back. By late primary night, Maloy was upbeat about her chances.
“I've been coming from behind all night, but that's kind of how it went at state convention,” she said from her campaign watch party on primary night in Cedar City. “So it feels familiar. It feels good.”
While there remain ballots to be counted, we have come up short in this race.
— Becky Edwards (@beckyforutah) September 6, 2023
As our campaign comes to a close, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to each and every one of you. pic.twitter.com/UdJ6jVqE45
Bruce Hough came in third and trailed both Maloy and Edwards with around a quarter of the vote.
Maloy has the endorsement of Stewart and has worked for the congressman as his chief legal counsel since 2019. She also had the endorsement of former CD1 Rep. Rob Bishop.
Those ties and her rural Utah roots ultimately carried her to the primary victory.
CD2 is the largest district in Utah by geography, stretching from southern Davis County and downtown Salt Lake City before heading west to the Nevada border and south to St. George. The belated Sept. 5 primary and the upcoming general election were the result of changes the Legislature made to accommodate the special election to replace Stewart, who is leaving office this month to care for his ailing wife.
Maloy will face Democrat and State Sen. Kathleen Riebe, United Utah Party nominee January Walker, Constitution Party candidate Cassie Easley, Libertarian Brad Green and independents Joseph Geddes Buchman and Perry Myers in the special general election on Nov. 21.
The 2nd Congressional District is considered a safe Republican seat. Stewart won re-election in 2022 by over 25 percentage points.
