The decision by U.S. Rep. Burgess Owens to step away from Congress at the end of his current term sets up a significant political shift for Sanpete County and the rest of central Utah as the state prepares for an election under newly drawn congressional districts.
Owens, a Republican who has represented Utah’s 4th Congressional District, including Sanpete County, since 2021, announced March 4 he will not seek reelection in 2026.

“After prayer, reflection, and many long conversations, I have decided that I will not seek reelection in 2026,” Owens said. “I will complete this term fully committed to my work in Washington, D.C. and then step away from elected office.”

Owens’ announcement comes during a turbulent period for Utah’s congressional districts. A judge approved a new map for the 2026 election cycle following years of legal wrangling over the state’s redistricting process.

The new map is created one Democratic-leaning seat representing the Salt Lake City area, leaving the four Republican incumbents competing in three Republican districts. Undoubtedly that scenario influenced Owens’ decision to drop out.

Under the new boundaries, Utah’s 4th Congressional District includes Sanpete, Sevier, Juab, Millard and Tooele counties along with parts of Salt Lake and Utah counties. The district stretches from rural central Utah north into suburban communities such as Draper, Sandy and South Jordan.

While rural counties such as Sanpete traditionally produce strong Republican margins, much of the district’s population now lies along the Wasatch Front, where campaigns often focus their outreach and advertising.

Recent estimates show the Fourth District includes roughly 920,000 residents. Although the district covers large rural areas geographically, the vast majority of voters live along the Wasatch Front. That imbalance often shapes campaign strategy, with candidates devoting significant attention to the Salt Lake Valley suburbs where population density is highest.

At the same time, rural counties such as Sanpete still play a role in party conventions that determine which candidates advance to a primary election. In Utah’s political system, candidates can qualify for the ballot either through the party convention process or by gathering enough voter signatures to force a primary.

Political analysts say Owens’ departure reduces the chances of multiple GOP incumbents facing each other in the same district, while opening the door for new candidates to enter the race.

Several individuals have taken early steps toward running for the seat, including Republican businessman Gavin Solomon and Democrat Jonny Larsen, a Marine Corps veteran. Attorney Steven Burt has filed paperwork to run as an independent candidate.

Another potential contender is U.S. Rep. Mike Kennedy, a Republican currently representing Utah’s 3 Congressional District. He has signaled interest in shifting to the Fourth District.

If multiple well-known Republicans enter the race, the GOP primary could become one of the most competitive contests in the state in 2026.
Despite the open seat, political analysts still consider Utah’s 4th District to lean strongly Republican overall. The district has historically voted heavily for Republican candidates in federal elections, meaning the eventual GOP nominee could enter the general election with a significant advantage.

Even so, the district’s unique mix of urban and rural communities can create different policy priorities across the region. Rural counties like Sanpete often focus on issues such as federal land management, agricultural policy, water development and rural infrastructure, while voters along the Wasatch Front tend to focus more on economic development, transportation and housing.

The seat will be filled through the normal election cycle rather than a special election because Owens will serve out the remainder of his term. Voters will choose the next representative during the 2026 midterm elections, with the winner taking office in January 2027.

Candidates seeking the seat must first qualify for the ballot either through Utah’s party convention system or by gathering signatures to force a primary election. Party conventions typically take place in the spring, followed by a primary election in June and the general election in November.