Jesse
West
Libertarian attorney Jesse West runs for Utah's open 1st Congressional District seat in 2026
- sources
- 6
- positions
- 6
- endorsements
- 0
Background
Jesse West is the Libertarian candidate for Utah's 1st Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election, as listed on the Utah elections office candidate-filings page and the Libertarian Party candidate page.129 He works as a family-law attorney and describes himself as chair of the Salt Lake City Libertarian Party.110
West was born and raised in East Tennessee, outside Chattanooga, and earned a bachelor's degree in history with a business administration minor from the University of Tennessee in 2017, followed by a Juris Doctor from Lincoln Memorial University's Duncan School of Law in 2021.10 He began visiting Utah in 2018 and relocated there in 2022 after completing his legal education.110
No prior elected office is identified in available sources. The current incumbent for Utah's 1st Congressional District is Republican Blake D. Moore, who is running in Utah's 2nd District in 2026, making the seat open.1617
At a glance
- Party
- Libertarian
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 1, Utah
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Family-law attorney; Chair, Salt Lake City Libertarian Party
- Website
- jessewest2026.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 11newsJesse West listed among general-election candidates on Fox News Utah results page
Fox News's Utah midterm election results page, updated October 11, included West among the general-election candidates for Utah's 1st Congressional District, confirming his continued presence on the ballot ahead of the November 3 general election.
Utah 2026 Midterm Election Results · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 29debateJesse West excluded from Utah Debate Commission debate; appears outside venue to engage voters
West did not meet the Utah Debate Commission's 10% polling threshold and was excluded from the debate at Salt Lake Community College's Grand Theatre. He appeared outside the venue and told FOX 13 he was engaging with voters. He said he wanted to ask the other candidates whether they would vote to lower taxes, stop 'endless wars,' release the Epstein Files, and end genocide in Palestine.
Lots of common ground, but some big disagreements in Utah's ... · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 29debateDebate coverage confirms West excluded alongside unaffiliated candidate Elias Montgomery
Utah News Dispatch reported that West and unaffiliated candidate Elias Montgomery both failed to meet the commission's 10% threshold, leaving only Democrat Ben McAdams and Republican Riley Owen on the debate stage.
Utah 1st Congressional District debate found middle ground among ... · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 15filingJesse West listed as Libertarian candidate for Utah's 1st Congressional District in voter guide
A Weber County voter guide published by The Ogdenite listed West as the Libertarian Party candidate in the general election for Utah's 1st Congressional District, confirming his place on the ballot.
2026 Weber County Voter Guide - The Ogdenite · Sep 15, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Aug 31pollPoll shows Jesse West at 4.7%, below 10% threshold required for debate eligibility
A Lighthouse Research poll conducted for the Utah Debate Commission (fielded Aug. 31–Sept. 10, n=515 likely voters) showed West at 4.7%, behind Democrat Ben McAdams (62.7%) and Republican Riley Owen (21.2%). The commission required at least 10% support for debate participation, which West did not meet.
Lighthouse Research Polls - Call the Map · Oct 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $0
- Spent
- $0
- Cash on hand
- $0
Reporting date not available. ↳ FEC record H6UT01251(opens in a new tab)
Sources 6
- [1] Lighthouse Research Polls - Call the Map(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
- [2] Utah 2026 Midterm Election Results(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [3] Lots of common ground, but some big disagreements in Utah's ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [4] Utah 1st Congressional District debate found middle ground among ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [5] Jesse West for Congress | Utah District 1 | Libertarian 2026(opens in a new tab) Sep 26, 2026
- [6] 2026 Weber County Voter Guide - The Ogdenite(opens in a new tab) Sep 15, 2026