Utah Republicans block Trump critic from Congress

Maloy had the backing of the Utah Republican Party. She spent much of her campaign introducing herself as the only candidate from rural southern Utah — a message that ultimately drew voters in.

Edwards, who has been critical of the former president, had name ID from an unsuccessful challenge against Trump ally Sen. Mike Lee last year. She cast herself as a “common-sense conservative,” but she faced attacks for voting for President Joe Biden in 2020. She later said she regrets supporting him, but it didn’t seem to hold much water with voters who voted to reelect Trump in 2020.

UT-02 is a sweeping district that covers Democratic-leaning Salt Lake City, as well as swaths of rural land in the southern and western part of the state. Following the latest round of redistricting, the district — which was already a Trump stronghold — became slightly redder. Trump’s advantage there is around 17 points.

Trump historically hasn’t had the strongest standing in Utah. Sen. Mitt Romney is a top Trump critic, and Maloy’s victory over Edwards may give him pause as he considers running for reelection in 2024.

Maloy overcame controversy when opponents unsuccessfully tried to kick her off the ballot after they learned that she wasn’t registered to vote as a Republican in Utah when she filed to run for the seat.

Given the makeup of the district, Maloy faces a clear path to victory come the Nov. 21 general election. She’ll be facing off against Democratic state Sen. Kathleen Riebe, whose primary was uncontested, and a handful of third-party candidates.