2026 feels like a pivotal election. The candidates who win will determine the direction our country and state are heading. Our top concern this year are Constitutional checks and balances.
Federal legislators will determine whether executive power continues unchecked. Here in Utah, whether or not incumbents win establish whether state and county power remains concentrated in one party’s leaders.
As a result, even though many of us at the Network of Utah Moderates have historically voted Republican, we are largely recommending against longtime incumbents and majority party candidates. However, we still recommend candidates of any party who meet the standards and values we hope to see in our representatives—and this year that includes a number of Republicans, Democrats, Forward Party members, and unaffiliated candidates.
U.S. House Races
House members vote on issues like healthcare, taxes, public lands, infrastructure, immigration, and education. Because of this, these federal races can have a significant impact on both Utah and national policy. Federal congressional members also provide a myriad of services for their constituents. Find your district.
We continue to have concerns about Utah’s current congressional delegation, particularly their records concerning issues like public lands, immigration enforcement, military action, and general accountability.
You may notice we are not recommending any of our current federal legislators in these races based on their actions (and inactions) in office the past several years. Instead, we recommend:
Congressional District 1 (CD1)
We recommend either Ben McAdams (D) or Riley Owen (R)—depending on your policy preferences.
We bring mixed views about both candidates. People who’ve worked with Mr. McAdams have expressed both how good Mr. McAdams was to work for and bad their experience was. Although he wasn’t our choice in the primary, we understand that Mr. McAdams may be the best choice for those looking to see a non-Republican in Utah’s delegation.
After personal conversation and reviewing his record, we also genuinely believe Mr. Owen is one of the most principled Republicans on the ballot in Utah this year.
Read our full voter guide for CD1.
Congressional District 2 (CD2)
We recommend Peter Crosby (D): Longstanding independent running on affordability, accountability, and stewardship as a principled check on power.
Running against incumbent Blake Moore (R), who while pragmatic in many respects, has often declined to stand up to meaningful executive overreach.
Congressional District 3 (CD3)
We recommend Kent Udell (D). Retired professor and engineer with ties to both rural Utah and the Wasatch Front. Priorities include the rule of law, water, public lands, and anti-corruption. We find Mr. Udell brings deep experience and a willingness to work with constituents and stand up to power, which are our priorities this year.
He’s running against incumbent Celeste Maloy, a lawyer who won a special election to replace Representative Chris Stewart in 2023. While we find Ms. Maloy to be very kind, we have been disappointed in her loyalty to her party leadership even when it undermines Utah interests and her unwillingness to check executive power when it goes against the Constitution.
Read our full voter guide for CD3.
Congressional District 4 (CD4)
We recommend either Steven Burt (Unaffiliated) or Jonny Larsen (Democratic).
Mr. Burt is an unaffiliated, independent candidate running on principles. Mr. Larsen is a veteran who we’ve seen consistently show up, listen, and make a genuine effort to connect with voters. We’ve had good experiences with both and feel both candidates meet the values we’re looking for in representatives.
They’re running against current US House Representative Mike Kennedy along with Libertarian Taylor Wright. Mr. Kennedy is the heavy favorite. Unfortunately, during the past several years we have watched Mr. Kennedy repeatedly spout hyper-partisan (and often untrue) “red meat” at local events and conventions and routinely denigrate people on the other political side. Neither his words nor his record meets the standards we’re looking for in candidates.