Meet the Candidates: Congressional primaries in Utah today

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By Congresspedia assistant editor Avelino Maestas

In Utah today, Rep. Chris Cannon (R) is again trying to fend off a primary challenge in a bid to continue representing the 3rd district in the U.S. House. He's faced stiff competition in the past two election cycles as well, since the winner of the Republican nomination is virtually assured of the general election win. This year, Cannon's toughest competitor is Jason Chaffetz.

Chaffetz is a former football player for BYU and was the chief of staff for the state's Republican governor, Jon Huntsman. Chaffetz has attacked the incumbent by arguing that Cannon is too moderate for the district he represents, this year accusing Cannon of being soft on immigration reform.

In the 1st district, Republican incumbent Rep. Robert Bishop is unopposed in the primary. Mogran Bowen, a Democrat, and Joseph Buchman, a Libertarian, are also angling for the seat. Rep. Jim Matheson (D) is similarly unopposed today. Four Republicans are battling it out in a primary to face him come November: Bill Dew, Kenneth Gray, Merrill Cook and Brian Jenkins.

Neither Senate seat is up for election this year.

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