Trending Now - Rep. Burgess Owens of Utah to Retire After Redistricting

WHO:

Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah

Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk (assassinated)

Other Republican officials (Blake Moore, Celeste Maloy, Mike Kennedy)

Former Rep. Ben McAdams (defeated by Owens in 2020)

Reps. Byron Donalds (Florida), John James (Michigan), Wesley Hunt (Texas)

WHAT:

Burgess Owens announced he will not seek re-election in 2026.

He will complete his current term fully committed to his work.

Owens cited a court-ordered redistricting that left Utah's four Republican representatives competing for three seats.

Owens and other Republicans sued to block the new congressional map, but their bids were rejected.

He has been in Congress since 2020 and is in his third term.

Owens has championed school choice legislation and is working on the Preventing Child Trafficking Act.

All four Black Republicans in the U.S. House are leaving Congress.

WHERE:

Utah (specifically Salt Lake County)

Washington, D.C. (U.S. Capitol)

Congressional districts in Utah

WHEN:

Announcement made on Wednesday, March 3, 2026.

Owens first elected in 2020.

Redistricting map adopted by a state judge in 2025.

Owens' retirement clears the way for other candidates in the 2026 election.

WHY:

Owens' decision to retire is influenced by the redistricting shakeup and the competitive nature of the upcoming election.

He aims to preserve the GOP's narrow House majority and help colleagues expand it.

HOW:

Owens plans to finish his term and work on expanding the Republican majority.

He has framed his tenure as aligned with Trump’s agenda and has expressed a commitment to advocating for at-risk children and education reform.

Last Wednesday, Burgess Owens announced that he will not seek re-election in 2026, citing a court-ordered redistricting that has left Utah's four Republican representatives competing for just three seats. Owens, who has served in Congress since 2020 and is currently in his third term, plans to complete his term while focusing on legislation like the Preventing Child Trafficking Act and school choice initiatives. His decision to retire comes as all four Black Republicans in the U.S. House are leaving Congress, and it opens the door for other candidates in the upcoming election.