Celeste Maloy Narrowly Wins Utah GOP Primary Amid Legal Challenges

US Rep Celeste Maloy has clinched the Republican primary in Utah's 2nd Congressional District after a narrow recount win and a rejected lawsuit by her opponent Colby Jenkins. Jenkins' legal challenge to count late ballots was dismissed by the state Supreme Court, securing Maloy's nomination for the November elections.

US Rep Celeste Maloy has narrowly won the Republican primary in Utah's 2nd Congressional District following a state Supreme Court decision rejecting her challenger's lawsuit. The court refused Colby Jenkins' request to count a batch of ballots with late postmarks after Maloy defeated him in a recount by fewer than 200 votes.

After hearing oral arguments, the Utah Supreme Court dismissed Jenkins' bid to recover disqualified ballots. Chief Justice Matthew Durrant wrote that Jenkins failed to provide evidence of non-compliance by election officials and did not inform the court of his intention to challenge the constitutionality of state laws regarding ballot postmarks.

Maloy, endorsed by former President Donald Trump, secured the primary nomination with a 176-vote lead following the recount in August. Her nomination positions her against Democratic candidate Nathaniel Woodward in November, in a district not represented by a Democrat since 2013.

(With inputs from agencies.)