Kent
S. Udell
Kent S. Udell, retired University of Utah engineering professor, is the 2026 Democratic candidate for Utah's 3rd Congressional District.
- sources
- 10
- positions
- 10
- endorsements
- 0
Background
Kent S. Udell is the Democratic candidate for U.S. House District 3 in Utah for the 2026 general election, challenging Republican Rep. Celeste Maloy in the newly drawn district. He was born in Lehi, Utah, and currently lives near Moab. 78
Udell earned an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from Utah State University and a master's degree and Ph.D. from the University of Utah. He went on to a career as a mechanical engineer, researcher, and academic, spending decades at UC Berkeley and the University of Utah, where he served as chair of the Mechanical Engineering Department, and retiring as Professor Emeritus in 2023. 17
His engineering career involved work with mining, petroleum, geothermal, and solar industries, as well as collaboration with federal agencies and advisory boards. He has noted he is not a career politician nor a lawyer. 114
Udell and incumbent-area Rep. Celeste Maloy debated in October 2026, clashing on issues including public lands and monument policy. The general election is scheduled for November 3, 2026. 111220
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 3, Utah
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Retired Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering, University of Utah
- Website
- kentudellforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 10endorsementPark Record letter writer publicly endorses Udell, citing energy and water expertise
A Park Record letter writer urged voters to elect Udell, citing his experience in energy and water. The article identifies this as an individual endorsement, not one from an organization or political figure.
Someone who knows - Park Record · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 7newsUdell supports faster permitting for low-impact projects but defends environmental review and court oversight
Responding to a proposed bipartisan House agenda, Udell said he supported expediting routine, low-impact projects but defended environmental review and public participation as protecting community health. He objected to shielding permitting approvals from litigation, calling courts an 'essential safeguard.'
Lawmakers roll out policy agenda they hope survives no matter who wins control of Congress · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5newsUdell absent from League of Women Voters forum in Moab; spokesperson attended but did not answer questions
A League of Women Voters candidate forum on October 5 proceeded without Udell participating. A spokesperson attended but did not answer questions on his behalf.
LWV Candidates Forum Oct. 5, 2026: Full Transcript and ... · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 3newsUdell tells reporters after debate he supports requiring labels on AI-generated content
The Salt Lake Tribune reported that following the October 2 debate, Udell told reporters he was interested in requiring labels on AI-generated content.
Celeste Maloy, Kent Udell debate monument downsizing, divvying ... · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 2debateUdell and Maloy debate at Utah Tech University in St. George
In a televised Utah Debate Commission debate, Udell called for restoring Bears Ears and Grand Staircase–Escalante monument boundaries, raised concerns about water use, safety, and cost of small modular nuclear reactors, and called for tax reform requiring those 'on the top end' to pay their 'fair share.'
Maloy, Udell take on monuments, nuclear and affordability ... · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 2pollLighthouse Research poll shows Maloy leading Udell 44.5% to 26.4% among likely voters
A Lighthouse Research poll for the Utah Debate Commission, fielded September 2–15 with 508 likely voters, found Republican Rep. Celeste Maloy at 44.5% and Udell at 26.4%, an 18.1-point margin. Results were published in October.
Lighthouse Research Polls - Call the Map · Oct 12, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 30newsUdell campaign finance: ~$48K raised, ~$34K spent, ~$13K cash on hand through June 30
FEC-reported figures aggregated by ChamberLight showed Udell had raised approximately $48,000, spent about $34,000, and held roughly $13,000 cash on hand as of June 30. No later-quarter update was available.
Kent Udell (D) — 2026 Candidate, Utah's 3rd District | ChamberLight · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Apr 25filingUdell secures Democratic nomination at party convention
Kent Udell won the Democratic nomination for Utah's newly drawn 3rd Congressional District at the party's April 25 convention, according to KUER.
Maloy, Udell take on monuments, nuclear and affordability ... · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $48K
- Spent
- $34K
- Cash on hand
- $13K
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6UT03182(opens in a new tab)
Sources 10
- [1] Lighthouse Research Polls - Call the Map(opens in a new tab) Oct 12, 2026
- [2] Lawmakers roll out policy agenda they hope survives no matter who wins control of Congress(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [3] Someone who knows - Park Record(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
- [4] LWV Candidates Forum Oct. 5, 2026: Full Transcript and ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [5] Celeste Maloy, Kent Udell debate monument downsizing, divvying ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [6] Kent Udell (D) — 2026 Candidate, Utah's 3rd District | ChamberLight(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [7] Kent Udell seeks office in newly drawn district that includes Summit, Wasatch counties - Park Record(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [8] Maloy, Udell offer competing visions for Utah’s sprawling new 3rd District in St. George debate(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [9] Maloy, Udell take on monuments, nuclear and affordability ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [10] Kent Udell for Congress | kentudell.com(opens in a new tab) Feb 9, 2026