Utah Republican Party

Data centers could prove to be more politically sensitive going forward, says Utah State political science professor Damon Cann. That’s one big takeaway from a primary night that saw other big GOP names lose their seat.

Incumbent Reps. Blake Moore and Celeste Maloy held on to their Republican Party nominations with quick wins in the Utah primaries in the second and third districts.

Any registered voter can vote in the open Democratic primary, but Republicans or the unaffiliated must request a ballot or vote in person. According to the Salt Lake County Clerk, thousands of locals have made that request.

In the 2nd Congressional District Republican primary debate between incumbent Rep. Blake Moore and state lawmaker Karianne Lisonbee, the Box Elder Data Center, Great Salt Lake and redistricting concerns dominated the conversation.

In a debate focused on the concerns of rural Utah voters, Congresswoman Celeste Maloy and former state lawmaker Phil Lyman outlined competing visions for public lands, immigration enforcement and emerging technologies.

KUER will carry live coverage of the 2026 2nd Congressional District Republican primary debate, online and on air, on Monday, June 1, at 6 p.m. MDT.

KUER will carry live coverage of the 2026 3rd Congressional District Republican primary debate, online and on air, on Monday, June 1, at 1 p.m. MDT.

Despite the numbers not in the GOP’s favor in the 1st Congressional District, the party’s candidate — and one prominent Democrat — still thinks he has a chance of winning.

More than 3,500 delegates descended on Utah Valley University in Orem Saturday for the state GOP convention. Challengers Karianne Lisonbee and Phil Lyman were relying on the convention to send them to the June primary ballot.

Utah’s newly redrawn district lines have reshaped the political landscape, and the Republican and Democratic nominating conventions will be the first demonstration of how the new map will play out.

Four Republicans are vying to win what is considered by many to be a blue seat. One political scientist says their only chance at winning is to run an issues-heavy campaign as close to the political center as possible.

The deadline for affiliated Utah voters to switch parties is April 1. This matters for voting in a closed primary, such as the GOP primary. For open primaries, voters don’t have to switch affiliation to participate.