Republican Celeste Maloy defeated state Sen. Kathleen Riebe, a self-described moderate, to win Utah’s special election Tuesday night, taking the last remaining open seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The Associated Press called the race at 8:36 p.m. local time.
The election, held in Utah’s 2nd Congressional District, was sparked by the resignation of former Republican Rep. Chris Stewart, who left Congress in September due to his wife’s unspecified illness.
Maloy, who served as Stewart’s chief legal advisor in Congress, won a three-way primary that month.
As a candidate, Maloy touted her roots in rural southern Utah, of which the district covers a large portion, and has leaned into her support of former President Donald Trump, arguing that the numerous prosecutions underway against him are motivated policies.
Celeste Maloy, Republican of Utah’s 2nd Congressional District, speaks after winning Utah’s special election to replace her former boss, U.S. Rep. Chris Stewart, during an election night party on Nov. 21, 2023 in West Valley City, Utah. AP State Sen. Kathleen Riebe, D-Cottonwood Heights, gives an election night interview at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Nov. 21, 2023.AP
“It’s exciting to have someone come out of this primary who represents rural and southern Utah. I think it’s time for that and everyone is ready for it,” Maloy said after his primary victory.
However, Riebe has argued that the race is a turnaround opportunity for Democrats and has drawn on her experience as a school teacher while arguing that people in the district “are ready for a change.”
In an interview with the Deseret News in August, Riebe expressed concern about the nation’s growing debt and pledged to join the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition if elected.
Maloy had leaned toward his support for former President Donald Trump, arguing that the ongoing prosecutions against him are politically motivated.REUTERS
“Making a very rational decision and having very moderate ideas, I think that is what serves us the most,” he told the outlet.
Maloy is currently the heavy favorite to win the special election given Stewart’s double-digit margin of victory in the six elections in which he has been the Republican candidate for the district, dating back to 2012.
A GOP victory gives Republicans additional room for close votes.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn