Phil Lyman

Utah's U.S. House race is drawing attention ahead of the midterms as Republican Rep. Celeste Maloy debated Democratic challenger Kent Udell on Friday in St. George. Maloy, who has represented Utah's 2nd Congressional District since 2023, is running this cycle in the newly drawn 3rd Congressional District following mid-decade redistricting. She secured the GOP nomination after defeating former state Rep. Phil Lyman in a June primary, triggered when neither candidate won outright at the state convention.

Udell, a retired University of Utah mechanical engineering professor, ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination. The 3rd District spans southern and eastern Utah, including Provo and St. George, and is considered heavily Republican territory, with the Cook Political Report rating it "Solid R." The debate, hosted by the Utah Debate Commission and PBS Utah, gave voters a direct look at both candidates as the race heads toward November, though the contest is not viewed as competitive for control of the House.