Mar 4, 2026 - News

Rep. Burgess Owens won't seek reelection

Kim Bojórquez

Close-up of a serious man wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and yellow checkered tie, against a blurred blue and brown background. — Rep. Burgess Owens. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images

Rep. Burgess Owens (R-Utah) will not seek reelection this November, he said in a social media post on Wednesday.

Why it matters: Utah's newly drawn 1st Congressional District is widely expected to flip to Democrats, meaning one of Utah's four Republican House members was likely to be unseated.

What they're saying: "I will complete this term fully committed to my work in Washington, D.C., and then step away from elected office," the former NFL player said in a statement.

State of play: The congressional race has drawn several prominent Democrats into the fray, including former Rep. Ben McAdams, former state Sen. Derek Kitchen, state Sens. Nate Blouin and Kathleen Riebe, and Salt Lake City Council Member Eva Lopez Chavez.

GOP candidate Dave Robinson launched his congressional bid earlier this month.

Flashback: The three-term congressman first took office in 2021 after narrowly defeating McAdams to represent Utah's 4th Congressional District.

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Rep. Burgess Owens won't seek reelection

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