Republican Celeste Maloy defeated state Sen. Kathleen Riebe, a so-called moderate, to win Utah’s special election on Tuesday night, filling the last remaining open seat in the US House of Representatives.
The Associated Press called the race at 8:36 pm local time.
The election, held in Utah’s 2nd Congressional District, was triggered by the resignation of former Rep. Republican Chris Stewart, who left Congress in September because of his wife’s undisclosed illness.
Maloy, who served as Stewart’s chief advocate in Congress, won a three-way primary that month.
As a candidate, Maloy touted his roots growing up in rural southern Utah, where the district covers a large portion, and has leaned on his support for former President Donald Trump, arguing that many of the ongoing prosecutions against him are politically motivated.
Utah’s Second Congressional District Republican Celeste Maloy speaks after winning the Utah special election to replace her former boss, US Rep. Chris Stewart during an election night party Nov. 21, 2023, in West Valley City, Utah. AP State Sen. Kathleen Riebe, D-Cottonwood Heights, gives an interview on election night at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Nov. 21, 2023.AP
“It’s great that we’re going to have someone coming out of this elementary school that represents rural and southern Utah. I think it’s time for it, and everybody is ready for it,” Maloy said after his main win.
However, Riebe has argued that the race is a choice opportunity for Democrats, and has leaned on her experience as a school teacher while making the case that people in the district are “ready for change.”
In an interview with the Deseret News in August, Riebe expressed concern over the rising national debt, and vowed to join the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition if elected.
Maloy has leaned on his support for former President Donald Trump, arguing the ongoing prosecution of him is politically motivated.REUTERS
“Being a very rational decision and having a very simple idea, I think that’s the best for us,” he told the outlet.
Maloy is currently the favorite to win the special election given Stewart’s double-digit margin of victory in the six elections he has been the Republican candidate for the district, since 2012.
The GOP victory gives Republicans some extra cushion for close votes.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
