Incumbent Celeste Maloy (R) defeated Colby Jenkins (R) in the Republican primary for Utah’s 2nd Congressional District

Incumbent Celeste Maloy (R) defeated Colby Jenkins (R) in the Republican primary for Utah’s 2nd Congressional District on June 25, 2024. Jenkins conceded defeat on August 13.

Utah Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson (R) certified the election results during the statewide canvass on July 22, which showed that Maloy defeated Jenkins 50.1% to 49.9% with a margin of 0.20%. In Utah, candidates can request a recount if the margin of victory is less than 0.25% of the total votes cast. Jenkins formally requested a recount on July 29. The recount was completed on August 5 with Maloy winning by a margin of 176 votes, down from the 214-vote margin originally certified.

Before the results of the recount were announced, Jenkins filed a petition with the Utah Supreme Court to contest the election. A lawyer for Jenkins said the state’s postmark deadline for mail-in ballots violates the Utah Constitution. The court heard arguments for the lawsuit on August 9. The court dismissed the lawsuit on August 13, and Jenkins conceded defeat the same day.

For more information on the events following the election, click here.

Maloy was elected to the U.S. House in a 2023 special election following the resignation of Chris Stewart (R). She previously worked as counsel for Stewart’s office and as an attorney. Maloy said she would “fight to secure our border, finish the wall, fully fund our border patrol, and keep dangerous drugs like fentanyl out of our communities.” Maloy also said she would give Utah citizens “control over the land and resources they depend on to make a living” and reduce government spending and regulations that affect Utah residents. Additionally, she said she would support individuals’ “right to worship and practice their faith as they see fit.” Former President Donald Trump (R), former U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop (R-Utah), and Stewart endorsed Maloy.

Jenkins served in the U.S. Army Special Forces and U.S. Army Reserve, and he was a counter-terrorism policy advisor to the secretary of defense and a senior legislative advisor in the Pentagon. Jenkins said he believed the primary job of the government was national security, that “securing our borders is vital for national strength,” and that he would “fulfill promises made to those who were willing to sacrifice all in its defense.” Jenkins said he would vote to protect citizens’ Second and Fourth Amendment rights. Jenkins said he is pro-life and that he would “advocate for the autonomy of states in regulating abortion” and oppose “the use of taxpayer funds for abortions within our state.” U.S. Sens. Mike Lee (R-Utah) and Rand Paul (R-Ky.) endorsed Jenkins, as well as the House Freedom Fund.

In Utah, state parties hold conventions to determine who will appear on the party’s primary ballot. At the Republican convention on April 27, 2024, Jenkins defeated Maloy 56.8% to 43.2%. Any candidate who gets more than 40% of the vote advances to the primary. Candidates for the U.S. House can also gather 7,000 signatures to qualify. Before the convention, Maloy announced she would not gather signatures, while Jenkins said he would.

Nathaniel Woodward (D) advanced from the Democratic primary unopposed after it was canceled, meaning Maloy will face him in the general election. As of August 14, 2024, four major election forecasters rated the general election Solid/Safe Republican.