Republican Celeste Maloy has won a Utah special election to fill the congressional seat left vacant by Rep. Chris Stewart.

Stewart resigned earlier this year to care for his ill wife.

“Maloy beat state Sen. Kathleen Riebe, who as minority whip is the Utah Senate’s second-ranking Democrat,” CBS News reports.

CBS News reports:

Maloy was Stewart’s chief legal counsel. She had Stewart’s endorsement and that of former Utah U.S. Rep. Rob Bishop, and was favored to win in the reliably Republican 2nd District, which sprawls from Salt Lake City to the state’s western and southern edges.

Maloy will be only the fifth woman in history to represent Utah in the House. The most recent was Mia Love, who served from 2015-2019 and was the state’s first Black congresswoman. Utah has never had a woman in the U.S. Senate.

The election determined the 435th member of the House, meaning it will be the first time the House will have all 435 members since earlier this year. Stewart resigned on May 31 and former Rep. David Cicilline of Rhode Island’s resignation took effect on June 1. Democrat Gabe Amo won the special election for that seat on Nov. 7.

“I think the fact that a girl from a teeny-tiny town with an unknown name and no budget can jump into a congressional race is a sign that the American Dream is alive and well,” Maloy said Tuesday night.

“And I hope other people see me, and realize that,” she added.

Per Newsmax:

A southern Nevada native and current resident of southwestern Utah, Maloy campaigned on improving security on the U.S.-Mexico border, reining in what she calls “out of control” federal spending, protecting religious freedom and putting Utah more in control of natural resources on its federal lands.

Maloy will enter a House controlled by Republicans who in recent months have been roiled by infighting over government spending.

“I know congress is a bit of a mess right now and I feel like I can go and be helpful, and be a good solid member who is even keeled and low drama,” Maloy said after her victory.

While she thinks the heated debates over spending are good, she said she is hoping she can be “a uniter in the conference.”

She will join Utah’s three other Republican House members. The state’s two senators are also Republican.

 

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