Utah House District 44: Scott Stephenson vs. Jordan Teuscher
The Republican Primary for Utah’s House District 44 in southwest Salt Lake County.
About this position
Utah has 75 state representatives in its House of Representatives. Each House Representative serves around 45,000 Utah residents in their district.
Like their counterparts in the Senate, House Representatives are part-time legislators who serve passing bills and budgets during Utah’s yearly legislative session, which runs for 45 days from January to March. They also serve during each interim session and on various boards, committees and commissions.
House District 44 (“HD44”) sits within soutwest Salt Lake County and includes parts of South Jordan, West Jordan, Herriman, and Riverton. Find your district.
About the Candidates
Top priorities come from candidates’ official websites. Please research more (this is just a starting point), and reach out to the candidates to learn more about any of their issues and experience.
Scott Stephenson
About: Lifelong Utah resident, lived in the area for decades. Law enforcement officer and mental health counselor. Formerly in the governor’s cabinet as chair of the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole, and head of the Fraternal Order of Police.
Top priorities (from website): protecting tax dollars, public safety, limited government, and housing affordability.
Insights: We’ve met Mr. Stephenson, reviewed his record, and have come out very impressed. He seems truly committed to being responsive to constituents.
Unusually, Mr. Stephenson brings 20 years experience working with the legislature to draft legislation around public safety. As leader of the Fraternal Order of the Police in Utah, he helped lead a coalition for a referendum on HB 267 in 2025. He has also worked to prevent sexual assault and domestic violence throughout the state. Worth reaching out or checking out his Facebook if you’d like to learn more about him.
We strongly recommend Mr. Stephenson in this race.
Jordan Teuscher
About: 30-year resident of South Jordan. Lawyer. Currently serving as the Utah House representative since 2021, and also serves on boards, committees (the Utah House Rules Committee), and commissions like the Judicial Conduct Commission.
Top priorities (from website): defending freedom; responsible growth and affordable housing; lowering costs and strengthening Utah’s economy; protecting kids and empowering parents.
Insights: While Mr. Teuscher boasts impressive awards and endorsements, we remain concerned about the outcomes of some of his work. Notably, Mr. Teuscher sponsored HB 267, which stripped public workers of the ability to collectively negotiate (other legislators noted it was primarily meant to punish the teachers’ union).
We note that his bills have consistently hurt public education, and worry that Mr. Teuscher has shown himself more responsive to legislative leadership and party pressure than the people he represents.
Our recommendation
Because of his broad experience and demonstrated commitment to public education, public safety, and working on behalf of his neighbors, we strongly recommend Mr. Stephenson for House District 44 in the June 2026 Republican Primary.
The winner of the Republican primary will face Democrat Jess Bircher in the November election. Learn more about this seat.