Who's running in Utah's 4th congressional district
4 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.
4 candidates · ballot order · Mike Kennedy 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.
Better VA services in the district, which he notes has no VA clinics in Tooele, Sevier, Millard or Sanpete counties despite its military installations.
Protecting Social Security and Medicare.
Government that works for working families rather than corporations and billionaires.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Has not held elected office.
US Marine Corps infantry rifleman, 2000–2004, reaching sergeant.
Won the Democratic nomination at the April 25, 2026 convention; the primary was cancelled.
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 Larsen by a named outside group, party or opponent could be found, so none is listed. Searched: 'Jonny Larsen' and 'Jonathan Larsen' with Kennedy, endorsement and criticism; NRCC; Deseret News, KSL, KUER, Salt Lake Tribune and Daily Herald coverage.
His PROTECT Act, which aims to curb H-1B visa misuse by removing financial incentives to hire foreign labour.
Opposing federal legislation that would undercut Utah's ban on transgender surgeries for minors, and votes to keep transgender women out of women's locker rooms, bathrooms and sports.
'Right-sizing' Medicaid and rooting out fraud, waste and abuse so the program does not 'collapse'.
Fewer IRS agents: 'we need more people who are willing to honestly pay their taxes.'
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Utah's old 3rd District since January 2025.
Utah House of Representatives 2013–2019 and Utah Senate 2021–2025; sponsored Utah's ban on transgender surgeries for minors.
Won 78.7% at the April 25, 2026 Republican convention; the primary was cancelled.
Voted for the 2025 One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including its Medicaid changes.
Arguments in favor
'A Proven Leader, Mike has served his family well as a Family Physician, Lawyer, and Highly Respected State Legislator, prior to becoming a distinguished Congressman.'
— President Donald Trump, endorsement reported by the Deseret News
Arguments against
The 2025 tax and spending bill was 'a betrayal of working people' because of its health care and food assistance cuts; 'Utah's entire Congressional delegation voted yes. Every single one of them chose political survival over public service.'
— Brian King, Utah Democratic Party chair (Standard-Examiner)
Constituents at a March 2025 town hall were critical of Kennedy's stance on President Trump and DOGE cuts and wanted more concrete answers.
— Heber City constituents Joy Lynn and Craig Jeppson, reported by KSL
What we couldn’t verify
No DCCC material on Kennedy and no criticism from his Democratic opponent Jonny Larsen by name was found.
His campaign website address could not be confirmed.
On the ballot as an unaffiliated candidate per the Lieutenant Governor's filing list.
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
Burt's positions could not be found: no campaign site loaded and he had not completed Ballotpedia's candidate survey. No news coverage of his campaign was found.
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 4th District covers western Utah — Tooele, Juab, Millard, Sanpete and Sevier counties — plus parts of Salt Lake and Utah counties including Draper, Sandy and South Jordan. Redistricting put two incumbents here: Rep. Burgess Owens, who represents the old 4th District and announced in March 2026 he would not seek re-election, and Rep. Mike Kennedy, who represents the old 3rd District and 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 four election candidates: Republican Kennedy, who won 78.7% at the April 25 convention and faced no primary; Democrat Jonny Larsen, nominated at convention over Archie Williams III with no primary; Libertarian Taylor Wright; and unaffiliated candidate Steven Burt. A second unaffiliated filer, Jacob Paul Gottfredson, was disqualified. 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.