Utah Legislature to Challenge New Congressional Map in State Supreme Court
In a move that could be described as a political game of musical chairs, Utah’s Republican-controlled Legislature has announced plans to appeal a court-ordered congressional map to the state Supreme Court. This decision was revealed during a press conference on Tuesday, marking yet another chapter in the ongoing saga of electoral boundaries in the Beehive State.
A state district judge recently introduced a new map that fortuitously carves out a safe-blue seat around Salt Lake City, providing Democrats with a golden opportunity to infiltrate the currently all-Republican congressional delegation. In response, Utah Governor Spencer Cox is set to convene a special session on December 9, likely aimed at postponing the candidate filing deadline while the appeal is being processed through the courts, as announced by state Senate President Stuart Adams.
“Whether through intention or oversight, Judge [Dianna] Gibson has paved the way for the most partisan and, by extension, the most gerrymandered map in Utah’s history,” Adams remarked during the press conference at the Utah Capitol, adding a touch of dramatic flair to the proceedings.
Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz noted that the Legislature is awaiting the final decision from Judge Gibson—who was appointed by former Republican Governor Gary Herbert—before formally appealing to the state’s highest court. Notably, lawmakers have also indicated their intent to pursue impeachment proceedings against Gibson.
This latest development is just another episode in a protracted redistricting drama that has unfolded over the years. In 2018, Utah voters embraced Proposition 4, an anti-gerrymandering initiative that established an independent redistricting commission. However, the Republican-controlled state Legislature subsequently relegated this body to an advisory role. The original map crafted by the Legislature, which featured four securely Republican seats, faced legal challenges, leading Judge Gibson to mandate a redraw back in August.
In October, the Legislature responded with a new map consisting of four red seats, which Governor Cox subsequently signed into law. However, Judge Gibson rejected this map, asserting that it “fails to abide by and conform with the requirements” set forth in Proposition 4.
Despite their initial support for an appeal, both Cox and Schultz later expressed frustration, as Schultz told a local TV station that the November 10 deadline for a new map—and the timing of Gibson’s late-night decision—limited their options.
The new map has created a conundrum for Utah’s congressional delegation, forcing the four current Republican representatives to vie for only three GOP seats. Meanwhile, a competitive Democratic primary is already brewing in the Salt Lake City-based 1st District, where former Representative Ben McAdams, the last Democrat to hold a congressional seat in Utah, faces a crowded field of challengers.
Looking ahead, Adams stated that the Legislature will “try our best” to implement a new map before the 2026 elections. “As a Legislature, we’ve repeatedly emphasized our commitment to restoring the people’s voice and ensuring that the maps are drawn by the citizens, not a single judge,” Schultz concluded, highlighting the ongoing struggle for political power in Utah.
