Democrat Donna McAleer took a second run this year at unseating Republican Rob Bishop in this First Congressional District rematch. But voters opted once again to return the incumbent to Congress.
Rob Bishop asked voters to send him back to Washington for a seventh term so he can lead the House Natural Resources Committee. He won with 64 percent of the vote.
At the Republican election night party, Bishop reminded the crowd that the GOP will control both the House and the Senate during his next term.
“We are now going to begin to plan for the future,” he said, “plan for a country that is going to move forward with good, solid, conservative Republican ideals.”
Bishop’s been a fixture in Utah politics for nearly four decades. He said he’s in a good position for a district that includes an air force base, wildlands and vast energy resources. Bishop talked about his seniority on the resources and armed services committees.
“Everyone cares about it and the energy development will impact the economic future of the state and the outdoor recreation opportunities, they need to be protected,” he said. “On the other side is also military, and in my district that is extremely important.”
McAleer came to the race with a background as a military officer, a tech company executive and leader of a health care nonprofit. But she knew it would be tough to unseat an incumbent.
She left the Democrats election party to watch returns in Park City with her campaign team. But before she left, she talked about being energized by supporters.
“They want to see somebody who’s excited to have this job and out there working,” she said. “And that’s what really keeps me going. It is grueling. It’s 24/7, but it’s all worth it when you are fighting for things that people are asking you to fight for.”
Could there be a third rematch in Utah’s First Congressional District?
McAleer hasn’t said.
Meanwhile, Bishop says he plans to retire once his terms as Resources chairman ends.
