Who's running in Utah's 3rd congressional district
6 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
6 candidates · ballot order · Celeste Maloy currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Limited government; she says the federal government claims more than its delegated powers and acts 'as though they are in charge of the people.'
A constitutional government as the whole of her platform.
Opposing US financial aid to other countries for foreign wars.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Has not held elected office.
Constitution Party nominee for Utah's old 2nd District in the 2023 special election and in 2024.
Nominated at the Constitution Party convention on April 25, 2026.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No 2026 coverage making a case for or against Easley was found. Her fundraising was not found.
Securing the border, adding federal immigration detention beds, and also fixing the legal immigration system.
Transferring to the state federal land next to towns or hard to manage, and giving local communities more say in how public land is managed.
Utah leading on AI, with data centers sited 'where people want them' and air-cooled rather than water-cooled.
Protecting religious freedom and the Second Amendment, and 'unleashing American energy'.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Utah's old 2nd District since November 2023; reelected in 2024 with 58.0% after winning that year's primary by 176 votes.
Won the June 23, 2026 Republican primary over Phil Lyman by roughly two to one.
In 2025 co-sponsored an amendment to sell about 11,500 acres of federal land in Utah in the budget reconciliation bill; it was removed after bipartisan opposition.
Member of the House Appropriations and Natural Resources committees.
Reported more than $1.1 million in contributions by early June 2026; Defending Our Values, a super PAC run by former Rep. Chris Stewart, spent nearly $880,000 supporting her in the primary.
Arguments in favor
'Celeste has a strong record of success, and resounding support from her Community,' working to secure the border, support the military and veterans, and cut taxes and regulations.
— President Donald Trump, endorsement reported by the Deseret News
Defending Our Values, a super PAC seeking 'reasonable guidelines for AI development', endorsed and spent heavily for Maloy after interviewing her on AI policy.
— Former Rep. Chris Stewart, Defending Our Values (KSL)
Arguments against
Maloy 'is hell-bent on selling off and privatizing public lands' through a public lands sale 'cooked up behind closed doors' with no public input, including parcels near Zion National Park, to pay for tax cuts.
— Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance
Maloy should have disclosed the AI super PAC backing her while telling voters she should make decisions about AI: 'You don't need to coordinate with someone to know they're buying your steak dinner.'
— Phil Lyman, Republican primary opponent (KSL)
Maloy is a political insider.
— Phil Lyman, Republican primary opponent, as characterised by the Deseret News
What we couldn’t verify
No DCCC material on Maloy and no criticism from her Democratic opponent Kent Udell by name was found.
Her campaign website address could not be confirmed.
An immediate moratorium on data centers in Utah: 'In a desert state, water is life.'
Water conservation, including more efficient farm water use.
Protecting public lands.
Lowering the cost of living and housing costs.
The Constitution and the rule of law; he says he would not hold back from criticising Democrats.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Has not held elected office.
Won the Democratic nomination at the April 25, 2026 convention over Steve Merrill; the primary was cancelled.
Had raised about $14,000 from individual donors as of the first quarter of 2026, per the Moab Times-Independent.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published argument for or against Udell by a named outside group, party or opponent could be found, so none is listed; his case is in his positions. Searched: 'Kent Udell' with endorsement, Maloy, criticism and Utah Republican Party; NRCC; Moab Times-Independent, Park Record, KUER, Deseret News and St George News coverage.
His campaign website address could not be confirmed.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
November 3, 2026 is Utah's general election, decided by plurality; there is no runoff. The map changed for 2026: Third District Judge Dianna Gibson adopted a plaintiff-drawn map on November 10, 2025 after ruling the Legislature unconstitutionally repealed Proposition 4. The Utah Supreme Court dismissed the Legislature's appeal on procedural grounds in February 2026 and a federal panel declined to block the map, so it is in use; the Legislature's challenge to the underlying ruling continues in state court. The new 3rd District is Utah's largest by area, spanning 18 counties across eastern and southern Utah plus parts of Utah and Weber counties, including St. George, Cedar City, Provo, Orem, Price, Moab and Heber. Rep. Celeste Maloy, who represents the old 2nd District, much of which is now in this seat, is running here and is treated as the incumbent. The roster matches the Lieutenant Governor's official candidate filings list (updated September 8, 2026), which shows six election candidates: Republican Maloy, who beat former state Rep. Phil Lyman in the June 23 primary by roughly 67% to 33%; Democrat Kent Udell, nominated at the April 25 convention with no primary; Constitution Party candidate Cassie Easley; Libertarian Michael Stoddard; and unaffiliated candidates Adonis Hooslyn and Ayden Scott. No write-in candidates are listed for this district. Candidates are listed in the order of the Lieutenant Governor's filing list; that is not necessarily the printed ballot order, and it implies no ranking.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Utah ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Utah Lieutenant Governor — Elections.