By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News

Over the weekend, both the Utah State Republican and Democratic parties held their state conventions to decide who they want representing them on the state and federal levels. For Republicans, featured races included a tight contest for Utah’s 3rd congressional district and a showdown in House District 67. For the Democrats, delegates decided their candidate for CD3.

Republican Convention

House District 67

On the Republican side of things, it was JR Bird dominating the race for HD67, garnering 88.9% of the delegate vote from representatives from Carbon, Emery and Duchesne Counties. Bird faced only one challenger at the convention, Yvonne Jensen, who, despite the loss, will advance to June’s primary ballot after gathering enough signatures to qualify.

Speaking of the convention win, in a social media post, Bird shares, “I’m excited to carry this momentum into the primary and continue earning the trust of voters across the district!”

The fate of a third Republican challenger, Gina Gagon, currently sits in the ballot, as the candidate awaits signature verification. At the time of writing, Gagon falls 65 signatures short of the required 1000 to qualify, currently sitting at 935.

Third Congressional District

On the federal level, in Utah’s new 3rd Congressional District, it was a neck-and-neck race as Celeste Molloy narrowly edged out Phil Lyman, earning 50.95% of the delegate vote to Lyman’s 49.05%.

“What a day! Another convention in the books, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the support and trust placed in me by the delegates,” said Maloy. “We are building strong momentum, and I look forward to earning your vote and your trust in the June primary.”

In a postconvention statement, Lyman shared an optimistic outlook on the primary: “The people of CD3 showed up today. Delegates from across this district made a judgment that this race is about more than who raised the most money or who had the most paid signature gatherers. It is about who has been in the trenches of these fights and who is ready to go to Washington and fight there. We are going to the primary, and we are going to win it.”

Both candidates now advance to June’s primary, where they will face off to decide who gets to advance to November’s general election.

Democratic Convention

Third Congressional District

Only one race with local impact was voted on at the Democratic Convention, as delegates gathered to decide between Kent Udell and Steve Merrill. Ultimately, it was Udell who came out on top, garnering 56.55% of the delegate vote and advancing to November’s general election.

“We are incredibly honored and grateful that Dem delegates saw in Kent a unique blend of rural and urban, scientist and outdoorsman, academic and laborer, visionary and pragmatist that really could appeal to voters of all political affiliations,” shared Cherise Udell, campaign manager and wife of Kent Udell. “With this broad appeal in CD3, we just may be able to pull off the improbable and flip a rural district BLUE!”

What’s next?

Candidates now look ahead to June’s primary election, which will set the stage for the general election in November. For those looking to participate, voter registration is open until June 12. Additionally, voters can register in person on Primary Election Day, June 23, with two forms of identification.

For individuals who wish to vote by mail, ballots will be mailed to active registered voters on June 2.

For more information, visit vote.utah.gov.