Blake Moore wins Republican nomination for U.S. House in Utah's 1st Congressional District.
Conservative businessman Blake Moore is serving his first term representing the northernmost parts of the state, as well as stretches of eastern Utah, including the ski town of Park City.
During his first run, Moore resided outside his district's borders, yet redistricting drew the Ogden native into its borders.
He defeated two challengers — Andrew Badger and Tina Cannon. Cannon, a former Morgan County councilwoman, lost to Moore in the 2020 primary but hopes her fiscal conservative message will resonate amid inflation and skyrocketing cost of living.
Badger, who won the delegate vote at the state party convention in April, focused on hard-right flashpoints, including anger over coronavirus mandates and how race, gender and sexuality are taught in K-12 schools. He also campaigned against Utah's universal vote by-mail system.
Moore, by contrast, calls himself a “Big Tent Republican” and argues a moderate approach is most effective for the state.
He initially voted for an independent commission to investigate the Jan. 6 insurrection and later invited Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney — who's won scorn from many in the GOP for her remarks about former President Donald Trump — to fundraise for him.
Moore issued the following statement after declaring victory:
“I’m grateful for the trust placed in me by the overwhelming majority of Republican voters in the First District, and I am honored to be their nominee in November. Once again, Utahns have demonstrated that they seek substance and productivity from their representatives. We have a lot of work ahead of us as we look to take back Congress and fight back against the Biden Administration’s failed policies that are directly hurting each and every Utahn.
As a product of Utah’s First District, I have never been more hopeful and optimistic for its future. I promise to continue bringing Utah’s values to Washington and push for policies that lower our gas prices, address our inflation crisis, expand our workforce, support our families, secure our border, and more.
I’m grateful for the support from my team and my family, especially my wife Jane. I wish my challengers the best in their future endeavors.”
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