SALT LAKE CITY – Midterm elections are just two months away.
Although Republican control of the Legislature is unlikely to change, several longtime representatives are retiring, opening the door for new lawmakers.
Utah’s US House seats
Utah’s redrawn congressional district map shifted boundaries and created a new, likely Democratic seat in the state.
Former Democratic US Rep. Ben McAdams is running for that seat, in Congressional District 1, against Republican Riley Owen and Libertarian Jesse West. McAdams won the June 23 Democratic primary with 60% of the vote, beating three progressive rivals, including state Sen. Nate Blouin.
The race is noteworthy because it’s likely to send Utah its first Democrat to Congress for the first time since McAdams was elected in 2018.
Reps. Blake Moore (R-Utah), Celeste Maloy (R-Utah) and Mike Kennedy (R-Utah) are all seeking reelection, though their district boundaries have changed following the redrawn map. Rep. Burgess Owens (R–Utah) is retiring.
Who’s up for reelection in the Utah Senate?
Fifteen of Utah’s Senate seats are up for election this year.
The GOP holds a majority in the chamber, with 22 Republicans, six Democrats, and one member of the Forward Party.
In Senate District 5, Democrat CJ Hernandez, a former US diplomat, faces Rep. Jill Koford (R-Weber), who currently represents House District 10, in a race to fill state Sen. Ann Millner’s (R-Ogden) seat after she decided not to seek reelection.
State Sen. Jerry Stevenson (R-Davis) is also not seeking reelection. Democrat Jared Neal, Republican Tami Tran, and Utah Forward Party candidate Josh Smith are running for Stevenson’s Senate District 6 seat.
Senate President Stuart Adams (R-Davis) lost his Senate District 7 seat during the primary election. Republican Stephanie Hollist, an attorney, is set to face Democrat Garret Rushforth, a Davis School District teacher, and Constitution Party member Jeffrey Ostler, who previously ran for Utah state auditor in 2024, in November.
In Senate District 12, incumbent state Sen. Karen Kwan (D-Salt Lake) is facing Republican Deidre Tyler, a retired sociology professor. Kwan took office after state Sen. Karen Mayne (D-Salt Lake) resigned in 2023.
State Sen. Nate Blouin (D-Salt Lake) ran unsuccessfully for Congressional District 1, leaving his Senate District 13 seat open for election. Republican Ryan L. Mahoney, Democrat Silvia Catten, and Utah Forward Party candidate Colin Smith are running to replace Blouin.
In Senate District 19, incumbent state Sen. Kirk Cullimore (R-Salt Lake) faces Democrat Shana Anderson, an economist. Cullimore is the Senate majority leader and has served in the legislature since 2019.
Who’s up for reelection in the Utah House?
All 75 lawmakers in the Utah House of Representatives are up for reelection this year.
The GOP controls the Utah House, with 61 Republicans and 14 Democrats in the chamber.
All but two Democrats – Rep. Sandra Hollins (D-Salt Lake) and Rep. Carol Moss (D-Salt Lake) – in the Utah House are seeking reelection. However, the races to replace Hollins and Moss in House Districts 21 and 34, respectively, only have Democratic candidates at the time of writing.
Republican Reps. Christine Watkins, Jill Koford, Karen Peterson, Bridger Bolinder, Mike Kohler, Karianne Lisonbee, Matt Gwynn, and Tyler Clancy have chosen not to run to keep their seats.
Salt Lake County Council could flip
The Salt Lake County Council has four seats up for grabs this year. The council is made up of nine members – three that represent the county for six-year-long terms, and six members that represent districts in the county for four-year terms.
Right now, the county council has a 5-4 Republican majority. However, Republicans Aimee Winder Newton and Sheldon Stewart chose not to seek reelection this year.
Winder Newton represents District 3, where Democrat Luke Maynes and Republican Mike Bird are running to replace her.
Council member Stewart represents District 5, where Democrat Sara Cimmers and Republican Traci Crockett are running to replace him.
Republican Laurie Stringham was also up for reelection for her At-Large District A seat but lost at convention to challenger Kathleen Anderson.
Anderson faces Democrat Zach Robinson, Constitution Party candidate Gregory Belgarian and Utah Forward Party candidate Maleah Bliss Caulford.
Democratic council member Jiro Johnson, who represents District 1, faces Libertarian candidate Casey Poe as he seeks reelection.
