Malloy and Udell Clash on Water, Energy and Housing in 3rd District Debate

Celeste Malloy and Kent Udell met Monday at Utah Tech University's Eccles Fine Arts Center for a one-hour debate hosted by the Utah Debate Commission. Moderator Bob Evans opened the event and set one-minute answers with 30-second rebuttals.

Both candidates framed key differences on process and priorities. Malloy criticized the map-drawing process that produced the new 3rd District, saying "the process of drawing these maps didn't include public comment," and pointed to her lawsuit with elected officials seeking to restore what she called the proper legislative role. Udell defended the referendum and said the maps reflected what "the people wanted."

The debate ranged across affordability and jobs, where Udell blamed corporate concentration and "gouging" after the pandemic and Malloy highlighted tax cuts she supported, including changes that she said reduced taxes on Social Security recipients. On energy, Malloy argued for a market-driven mix including geothermal and nuclear; Udell, an energy engineer, questioned small modular nuclear economics and urged caution. Water and the Colorado River drew strong statements on protecting farmers and the management of Lake Powell; on public lands, Udell pledged to seek statutory protection for monument boundaries while Malloy said she introduced a bill to change the Antiquities Act so Congress, not the president alone, decides monument boundaries.

The moderator closed by reminding voters that Election Day is Nov. 3 and mail ballots start arriving Oct. 13. The debate featured student questions and a range of technical topics that both candidates said they would press in Washington if elected.