By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News
As the legal battle over Utah’s congressional map winds down, giving candidates an idea of which districts they’ll run in, they are beginning to announce their bids for Congress. In Utah’s Third Congressional District, a total of seven candidates have filed for the seat, including three Republicans, two Democrats and one member of the Constitution Party.
Below is a list of each candidate, in alphabetical order by party affiliation, along with a brief biography from campaign websites and public statements.
Constitution Party
Per her website, Cassieforcongress.com, Easley believes in limited government, saying that the current government believes it has more than its delegated power and “act as though they are in charge of the people.”
Her statement closes, “Consider me to represent you Constitutionally, together we can regain our Liberty.”
Democratic Party
Merrill holds experience in software development and was born and raised in Michigan before moving to Utah in 2019. Merrill states he is running for office because,” We need to rebuild the community we’ve lost – a society where we remove obstacles that cause struggle and create policies for everyday people. We can have a future that works for us, not against us – one where good, honest, and hardworking Utahns thrive again.”
Core issues for Merrill include community belonging and neighbor support, Working-class dignity and economic stability, and honest leadership that listens.
Udell is a former engineer and educator who worked at both the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of Utah. Per his website, Udell is running because,” We deserve a Representative who tells the truth, truly honors their oath to uphold our sacred Constitution, and solves real problems with honesty, evidence, and integrity.”
Key issues for Udell’s platform include the Constitution, rule of law, water, public lands, immigration, energy and housing.
Republican Party
Maloy is currently the Representative for Utah’s second congressional district, where she was first elected in 2023. Before her time in Congress, Maloy served as a Deputy County Attorney in Washington County, a Public Lands Attorney for the Utah Association of Counties and a Staff Attorney for the Washington County Water Conservancy District.
Listed key issues for Maloy include: securing the border, protecting religious freedoms, unleashing American energy, and defending the Second Amendment.
Per his campaign website, Murset is running for Congress because he is “saddened by the direction of our country and especially Utah.” Murset holds a master’s degree in business administration.
Murset’s biggest campaign push is to implement an app he developed that lets citizens decide his vote on bills.
Lyman is a former San Juan County Commissioner and state representative. In 2024, he was defeated by Gov. Spencer Cox in the gubernatorial election.
“I am running for Congress to bring a steady, experienced hand to the table – focusing on the kitchen-table issues that matter to every Utahn,” said Lyman in a press release announcing his candidacy.
Key issues for Lyman include government transparency and accountability, energy and economy, federal lands and forest health, water and housing, and immigration.
Utah families deserve representation rooted in faith, responsibility, and results,” proclaims Harris’ website. “I am running to serve Utah’s 3rd Congressional District with integrity and strength.”
Harris is a retired two-star general in the Air Force and a veteran of Operation Desert Storm. At the forefront of his platform, Harris emphasizes Peace through strength and a modern military, public lands and natural resource stewardship and restoring government accountability.