President Donald Trump weighed in on Utah’s upcoming primary elections for the U.S. House, throwing his support behind the three incumbent Republicans seeking reelection.
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In a social media blast on Wednesday night, Trump endorsed Reps. Blake Moore, Celeste Maloy and Mike Kennedy in their respective primaries next week. The support is likely to boost the lawmakers, some of whom face primary challengers, as the president enjoys a near-perfect endorsement record so far in the 2026 midterm primary elections.
The endorsements also come at a crucial time as the winners of the primary elections are likely to win the general election in November.
The endorsements follow a pattern from the president to issue endorsements in quick succession in the days preceding a primary. But it comes at a crucial time for lawmakers such as Moore and Maloy who face opponents looking to unseat them.
Blake Moore
Trump praised Moore, who holds the fifth-highest leadership position in the House Republican caucus, offering his second endorsement in the last year.
“As the Vice Chairman of the House Republican Conference, Blake is doing an incredible job advancing our America First Agenda,” Trump wrote in his endorsement of Moore. “He is working hard to Grow our Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Strengthen our Military/Veterans, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment.”
New: Trump has endorsed @RepBlakeMoore for reelection ahead of next week’s primary
Trump has previously endorsed Moore, but he faces a tough primary challenge against @KariLisonbee who has targeted Moore over his previous involvement with Prop 4 (an anti-gerrymandering… pic.twitter.com/2xQGF4FI6S
— Cami Mondeaux (@cami_mondeaux) June 18, 2026
Trump previously endorsed Moore in November, but the latest post comes as the three-term congressman faces a challenge from state Rep. Karianne Lisonbee, who has targeted Moore over his past involvement with the anti-gerrymandering group Better Boundaries.
Lisonbee has accused Moore of being responsible for recent gerrymandering decisions granting Democrats a House seat in the 2026 elections.
The race for Utah’s newly redrawn 2nd District has since become one of the more contentious elections for the Beehive State.
Moore has aggressively approached the campaign, especially when it comes to fundraising and earning the endorsements of top U.S. House Republican leaders such as Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and Rep. Jim Jordan, the founder of the conservative House Freedom Caucus.
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Meanwhile, Lisonbee has received endorsements from a majority of the members of the state House Republican caucus, where she served in leadership, including Speaker Mike Schultz. She was also endorsed by state Auditor Tina Cannon.
Celeste Maloy
Trump also threw his support behind Maloy, who is seeking her second full term in the House. Maloy has served in the House since November 2023, when she won a special election to succeed former Rep. Chris Stewart, who resigned from office early.
.@RepMaloyUtah and @RepMikeKennedy also get Trump endorsements #utpol https://t.co/pLPnTwgVTC pic.twitter.com/Bqm9govNjH
— Cami Mondeaux (@cami_mondeaux) June 18, 2026
“Celeste has a strong record of success, and resounding support from her Community,” Trump wrote. “In Congress, she is working hard to Keep our Border SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, Support our incredible Military/Veterans, Grow our Economy, Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Promote MADE IN THE U.S.A., and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment.”
Maloy faces a challenge from former state Rep. Phil Lyman, who has attacked the congresswoman as being a political insider. But Maloy has the financial advantage, outraising Lyman 10 to 1 over the past two months, with $256,000 still left to spend compared to Lyman’s $7,700.
Still, Maloy may still face a tough challenge to be reelected. Thanks to the state’s new boundaries, the new district covers a lot of ground she had not previously represented — and Maloy barely eked out a primary win in 2024 after a recount.
Lyman, on the other hand, has name recognition from his unsuccessful gubernatorial bid against Gov. Spencer Cox in 2024. Although he lost, Lyman did especially well in the areas covered by the new 3rd District, winning in 11 of 18 counties within the redrawn boundaries.
Mike Kennedy
Trump also threw his support behind freshman Rep. Mike Kennedy in his triple-post blast.
“A Proven Leader, Mike has served his family well as a Family Physician, Lawyer, and Highly Respected State Legislator, prior to becoming a distinguished Congressman,” Trump wrote.
Kennedy does not have a primary challenger, and he is likely to be reelected in November.
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