The seat became vacant following Republican representative Chris Stewart's resignation on September 15, 2023, due to his wife's ongoing health issues.

[3] Celeste Maloy, Stewart's legal counsel, won the Republican convention.

Her victory was considered an upset, as former Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes led every round of voting except for the final.

[10] Two candidates who lost at the convention, Becky Edwards and Bruce Hough, also qualified for the ballot by collecting signatures.

[5] Edwards's candidacy attracted attention due to her controversial stances; she voted for Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election, disagreed with the overturning of Roe v. Wade, supported the second impeachment of Donald Trump, and challenged U.S.