The 2023 Utah's 2nd congressional district special election was held on November 21, 2023, to choose a new member of the U.S. House of Representatives. The seat became vacant following Republican representative Chris Stewart's resignation on September 15, 2023, due to his wife's ongoing health issues.
On June 7, 2023, Utah governor Spencer Cox declared that the special election would be held on November 21, 2023, with the primary being held on September 5, 2023. This was the first congressional special election in Utah since the 2017 election in the 3rd district following the resignation of Jason Chaffetz, and only the second since 1930.
Celeste Maloy, Stewart's legal counsel, won the Republican convention. Her victory was considered an upset, as former Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes led every round of voting except for the final. Two other candidates, former Republican National Committee member Bruce Hough and former state representative Becky Edwards, qualified for the Republican primary via petition. Some Republicans filed a lawsuit to remove Maloy from the ballot after it was revealed that her Utah voter registration was inactive, as she had moved to Virginia while working for Stewart; however, the lawsuit was rejected.
Democrats nominated state senator Kathleen Riebe. The 2nd district is considered a safe Republican seat, with a Cook PVI of R+11. Stewart was re-elected with 59.7% of the vote in 2022. Donald Trump won the district with 56.7% of the vote in the 2020 presidential election.
Republican primary
Candidates
Eleven candidates competed at the Republican convention on June 24. Celeste Maloy won, guaranteeing her a spot on the primary ballot. Two candidates who lost at the convention, Becky Edwards and Bruce Hough, also qualified for the ballot by collecting signatures.
Edwards's candidacy attracted attention due to her controversial stances; she voted for Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election, disagreed with the overturning of Roe v. Wade, supported the second impeachment of Donald Trump, and challenged U.S. Senator Mike Lee in his 2022 primary.
Nominee
Eliminated in primary
Lost at convention
Withdrew during convention
- Quin Denning, construction contractor
- Bill Hoster, mayor of Leeds (endorsed Hughes)
- Scott Reber, realtor and former congressional staffer (endorsed Maloy)
Withdrew before convention
- Tyrone Jensen, political podcaster, candidate for U.S. Senate in 2018 and 2022, and candidate for this district in 2020
Disqualified
Declined
- Sheryl Allen, former state representative from HD-19 (1994âÂÂ2011)
- Gil Almquist, Washington County commissioner
- Kathleen Anderson, communications director for the Utah Republican Party and candidate for in 2020
- Robert Axson, chair of the Utah Republican Party (2023âÂÂpresent)
- Brad Bonham, entrepreneur
- Walt Brooks, state representative from HD-75 (2016âÂÂpresent)
- Derek Brown, former chair of the Utah Republican Party (2019âÂÂ2021) and former state representative from HD-49 (2011âÂÂ2014)
- Daniel McCay, state senator from SD-18 (2019âÂÂpresent)
- Kim Coleman, former state representative from HD-42 (2015âÂÂ2021) and candidate for the 4th district in 2020
- Ben Horsley, chief of staff for the Granite School District
- Victor Iverson, chair of the Washington County Commission
- Carson Jorgensen, former chair of the Utah Republican Party (2021âÂÂ2023)
- Mike Kennedy, state senator from SD-21 (2021âÂÂpresent) and candidate for U.S. Senate in 2018
- Derek Miller, president of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce
- Aimee Winder Newton, Salt Lake County councilor from the 3rd district (2014âÂÂpresent) and candidate for Governor of Utah in 2020
- Corey Norman, chief of staff to U.S. Representative John Curtis
- Jason Perry, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics
- John Pike, former mayor of St. George
- Sean Reyes, Utah Attorney General (2013âÂÂpresent)
- Erin Rider, attorney, former staffer for then-U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch, and candidate for this district in 2022
- Adam Snow, Washington County commissioner
- Trent Staggs, mayor of Riverton and nominee for mayor of Salt Lake County in 2020 (running for U.S. Senate)
- Bob Stevenson, Davis County commissioner and candidate for in 2020
- Todd Weiler, state senator from SD-08 (2012âÂÂpresent)
- Thomas Wright, former chair of the Utah Republican Party and candidate for Governor of Utah in 2020
Endorsements
Fundraising
Polling
Pre-convention debate
Convention results
Post-convention debate
Primary results
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
Lost in convention
- Guy Warner, tech executive
- Archie Williams, heavy equipment operator and perennial candidate
Declined
Convention results
Fundraising
Third-party and independent candidates
United Utah Party
Nominee
- January Walker, cybersecurity professional and nominee for in 2022
Lost convention
- Stone Fonua, tax preparer and perennial candidate
Convention results
Libertarian Party
Nominee
- Bradley Garth Green, plumbing supply store owner and son of Cedar City mayor Garth Green
Constitution Party
Nominee
- Cassie Easley, vice chair of the Utah Constitution Party and nominee for this district in 2022
Independents
Declared
- Joseph Buchman, college professor, former chair of the Utah Libertarian Party, and perennial candidate
- Perry T. Myers
General election
Debate
Predictions
Polling
Results
See also
Notes
References
External links
Official campaign websites