WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Rep. Blake Moore, vying for his second term, puts a focus on balance.

In discussing his campaign, he stresses his opposition to President Joe Biden, a Democrat, particularly in combatting inflation and high energy prices, the biggest issues, in his view, facing the 1st District and the rest of the nation.

“Policy matters, and President Biden’s policies and congressional Democrats’ policies have led to catastrophic outcomes, and the things that I’m focusing on are getting us back on the right track,” said Moore. The Salt Lake City Republican faces Andrew Badger and Tina Cannon in the GOP primary, with voting to culminate on June 28.

But he’s also cognizant of the intense partisan bickering that can predominate in politics at the national level and doesn’t want it to reach such a pitch that nothing gets done. He says he’s a conservative who aims to work with others of different political stripes.

“I have relentlessly focused on legislation and being productive back here in a very politically tumultuous climate because the residents of the 1st District sent me back here to do just that,” he said. He pushes back “against bad policy” but also aims to find a way to reach middle ground on the issues amid the political turbulence of Washington “and that’s what sets me apart.”

Moore, then running for public office for the first time, was elected to the 1st District post in 2020, beating out several other established GOP contenders as well as Democrat Darren Parry. Rob Bishop, a Brigham City Republican, had held the post for nine terms but decided not to run again two years ago.

This go-round, Moore faces two GOPers in the primary, with the winner to take on Democrat Rick Jones in the general election in November. Jones, from West Haven, has run for office before but never won and is likely a long shot in November given GOP dominance in the 1st District, which covers Northern Utah.

Cannon, a former member of the Morgan County Council, sounds a message that’s heavy on supporting small business operators, also with a focus on fighting inflation and high energy prices. Badger, seeking office for the first time, touts himself as an underdog fighting the GOP establishment, personified by Moore. He also stresses his support for the policies and leadership of former President Donald Trump.

Both Cannon and Badger, meanwhile, have launched broadsides at times against Moore. Cannon in particular has blasted Moore because he lives outside the 1st District, which, nevertheless, is allowable under federal law. Badger has criticized Moore’s support for a measure put forward by a contingent of GOP lawmakers after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol to censure Trump. That proposal never gained traction.

Moore, in response, says the attacks from his GOP challengers stem from his status as incumbent.

“My constituents know where I’m from. Keep saying I’m not from the district, but I was born and raised in the district, attended every major university in the district, have transcripts from all three,” Moore said. He was born and raised in Ogden, inside the 1st District, and at different times studied at Weber State University, Utah State University and the University of Utah, also within the district.

Meantime, he stands by his record.

“I’m actually running on my record,” he said. “My challengers are going to use everything they can to try to, how would you say, create a narrative that’s not proper, not the right context.”

TOWN HALLS, LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS

Beyond his views and political outlook, Moore emphasizes his involvement in the district and grasp of the issues of concern to constituents.

“I have a very good, solid understanding of this because I’ve put in the work in my first term by showing up, doing as many town halls as you can do. Even when I’m in Washington, D.C., I do tele-town halls to really understand what’s on peoples’ minds,” he said.

He also notes the legislation he’s put forward and the connections he’s made.

He’s proposed a measure meant to spur U.S. energy production, the Promoting Energy Independence and Transparency Act, to counter what he sees as the Biden administration’s moves stymying American energy output.

He proposed a measure — working with a California Democrat, he notes — that would provide resources to more closely monitor and assess saline systems like the Great Salt Lake with an eye to preserving them.

He was appointed earlier this year to the House Republican Whip Team, responsible for rallying GOP support on issues of import and maintaining party discipline.

In dealing with inflation and high gas prices, the key issues facing the district and nation, he points to measures like the Promoting Energy Independence and Transparency Act, one of six proposals put forward by a contingent of GOP lawmakers. Generally, he thinks bolstering U.S. energy output is a key part of the process.

“American energy is the cleanest in the world and we invest and strongly continue to invest in cleaner technology,” he said. “To go away from that will only hamstring our efforts to continue to produce good, clean energy that’s affordable. That’s a big focus on what we’re trying to do back here.”

The United States also needs to rein in federal spending, which gets to another big issue for him — reducing the burgeoning U.S. debt and trimming the annual spending deficit. He created a task force of Northern Utah experts to help him come up with ideas to address the issue and will keep at it, trying to find fixes.

“I’m not just going to complain about it,” Moore said.

Newsletter