WEST HAVEN — Rick Jones doesn’t think any elected official should get into office without a challenger.

“I hate to see candidates run unopposed,” he said.

Accordingly, the West Haven man, a piano teacher, stepped forward when no other Democrat would to vie for the 1st District U.S. House seat now held by Blake Moore, a GOPer seeking his second term.

Jones had been mulling a bid for the District 12 Utah House seat now held by Republican Mike Schultz, a post he unsuccessfully sought in 2018 and 2006. However, he shifted his focus to the heavily Republican Northern Utah congressional seat on learning Democrats had no standard-bearer to vie for the federal post.

Spurring him on, Jones said, was the hope of avoiding a scenario with “an avid Trump supporter” running unopposed for the seat. Moore and two other GOPers, Andrew Badger and Tina Cannon, face off in the June 28 Republican primary to decide who gets on the Nov. 8 ballot against Jones.

Democrats have fared poorly in the 1st District, as in Utah as a whole. Moore won by a 69.6%-30.4% margin against Democrat Darren Parry in 2020. Republican Rob Bishop, who held the seat before Moore, won by a 61.6%-24.9% margin over Democrat Lee Castillo in 2018.

The chances he wins “are small,” Jones acknowledged, and he’s leery of fundraising. He has reported no campaign funds, according to the Federal Election Commission. “I really don’t like asking people for money and all that,” Jones said.

Nevertheless, he regards himself as a serious candidate. Jones also taught as an adjunct economics professor at Weber State University.

Among his key concerns, Jones said, is assuring “fair taxation.” The wealthiest Americans, he said, need to pay their fair share of taxes “and make a contribution.”

The environment, particularly climate change, is also an important focus. “I am concerned about the climate and dependency on fossil fuels,” he said.

He’d also like to reform the way presidents are formally elected, through the Electoral College, instead relying on the popular vote of Americans. “It should be common sense — one person, one vote,” he said.

Specifics of his electoral strategy as he vies for the 1st District seat have yet to be pinpointed. “I guess a lot of it is to be determined,” Jones said.

The revamped 1st District covers Weber, Box Elder, Cache, Rich and Morgan counties and parts of Davis, Salt Lake and Summit counties.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct a typo in a quote.

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