Blake Moore

(Eli Lucero | Pool) Democrat Peter Crosby, left, and Republican Blake Moore shake hands after an October debate.

Republican U.S. Rep. Blake Moore held just a single-digit lead over Democrat Peter Crosby after unofficial voting numbers were released in the 2nd Congressional District on Tuesday.

He had garnered 49.6% of the initial vote to Crosby’s 43.5% as of 11:37 p.m. The Associated Press had not yet called the race.

During a virtual news conference around 11 p.m. Tuesday, Moore told reporters the national trends were clear: “Look, when gas prices are what they are, and Republicans have the White House, House and Senate, you’re going to get blamed for it.”

“That’s the beauty of the first Tuesday in November,” the lawmaker added. “Constituents and citizens, they get a chance to express their frustration.”

Moore said he was hopeful he would ultimately pull off a victory in his new district and work productively with the Democratic majority.

Moore said he thinks the parties can work together to pass the budget and other bipartisan legislation. But asked if he anticipates that Democrats will take up impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump, Moore said he thought it was likely.

“I’m sure there will be plenty of that that goes on,” he said, adding he didn’t know what charges Democrats would pursue, but added, “There will be stuff to that nature.”

Though turnout numbers are not yet fully clear, Moore suggested that many Republicans were not motivated to come to the polls this year, which may have contributed to a wave of Democratic victories across the country and down ballot in Utah.

“Are people only wanting to vote in presidential years?” Moore asked.

Independent American candidate Carlton Bowen had 2.9% of the vote, unaffiliated candidate Robert Moesinger had 2.5% and Libertarian Daniel Cottam had 1.6% as of 11:37 p.m.

Moore was leading in Box Elder, Cache, Davis and Rich Counties, while Crosby had the lead in Weber County.

Moore, who currently represents the state’s 1st Congressional District, is Utah’s only member of congressional leadership. He was first elected in 2020 and ran for reelection in the new 2nd District after a yearslong court fight over the drawing of Utah’s congressional districts resulted in new districts last year.

Crosby’s showing was a significant overperformance in a district expected to heavily favor the GOP.

“It is traditionally a very Republican district,” the Democrat told The Salt Lake Tribune Tuesday after initial returns came in. “This is something different than what we have seen up in northern Utah in years past, so I’m very excited.”

GOP turnout, Crosby said, seemed depressed. The nominee noted that he was previously a Republican himself and that many voters, he speculated, no longer feel represented by the Republican Party.

“We have a fierce independent streak,” he said of Utah voters. “I think a lot of Republicans this cycle, they’re just not excited because they don’t see a national party that’s actually reflecting their values.”

Crosby cautioned that he still thought his chances to pull off an upset victory were fairly slim.

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