Incumbent Blake Moore cruised to a quick primary election victory Tuesday evening over challenger Paul Miller, clinching the Republican nomination in Utah’s 1st Congressional District.
According to unofficial returns, the incumbent congressman received 72.58% of GOP votes to Miller’s 27.42%.
Moore, a second-term congressman representing northern Utah, was a heavy favorite coming into the race, despite finishing behind Miller — 55% to 45% — in the Republican state nominating convention. Miller, a first-time candidate, ran primarily on controlling the national debt and assailed Moore for his support for spending bills passed to avert government shutdowns.
Moore countered that, when Republicans controlled the U.S. House of Representatives, he showed leadership in trying to constrain spending while keeping the government functioning.
They also disagree on whether the United States should keep providing aid to Ukraine — with Moore arguing that it was needed to keep Russia in check.
Moore now advances to the general election where he will face Democratic nominee Bill Campbell and the Libertarian Party candidate Daniel Cottam in the general election in November. While the boundaries of the 1st District have changed over the years, Republicans have held the seat for more than four decades.
Last November, Moore was chosen as vice chair of the House Republican Conference, a leadership position that became vacant after Rep. Mike Johnson was elected as House Speaker.
Miller was vastly outspent in the race, spending just over $6,000, compared to more than $1.1 million spent by Moore.
The Republican incumbent will face Libertarian Daniel R. Cottam and Democrat Bill Campbell in November’s general election.
