We’re not expecting much movement this year in the partisan makeup of the Utah House.
Republicans hold 63 of the 75 seats, leaving Democrats near an all-time low of just 12 seats. That might change a little, but not enough to dramatically shift the balance of power in the lower house of Utah’s Legislature.
Right now, there’s only one race that does not favor either party – the contest to replace retiring Rep. Johnny Anderson in House District 34, which we have rated as a “toss-up.” There, Democrat Karen Kwan is taking on Republican Macade Jensen.
There are some seats we’re watching that could feature close contests this year:
- House 17 – Democrat Christine Steinquist could give incumbent Stewart Barlow a tough contest.
- House 22 – Democrat Susan Duckworth is always considered “vulnerable,” but Republicans have failed to wrest this seat away from her.
- House 30 – This was a close race in 2014, but Republican Mike Winder should win by a wider margin this year.
- House 31 – Incumbent Republican Sophia DiCaro only won by 204 votes in 2014.
- House 32 – Democrat Suzanne Harrison could make things uncomfortable for incumbent LaVar Christensen.
- House 44 – This is a rematch of 2014 when Republican Bruce Cutler defeated Democrat Christine Passey by 53 votes.
- House 49 – Another rematch from 2014.
