State House District 48 in Utah State House District 48, Utah

2026 Primary Election

• Benyde Walker — Candidate for Utah House of Representatives District 48 in UT

  Benyde Walker is a Democratic candidate for the Utah House of Representatives, seeking to represent District 48 in the 2026 election. Walker successfully advanced from the Democratic convention on April 11, 2026. The Democratic primary, originally scheduled for June 23, 2026, was canceled, allowing her to move directly to the general election on November 3, 2026. She is campaigning on a platform to bring fresh energy and representation to the district. There are no incumbents in this particular race.

• Johnathan Brooks — Candidate for State House in UT

  Johnathan Brooks is a conservative Republican who sought election to the Utah House of Representatives for District 48 in 2026. As a first-time political candidate, he expressed that he was not running to advance within the party but rather to ensure his community in the Southwest Valley had dedicated representation. His campaign focused on addressing community growth and advocating for local interests. Brooks participated in the Republican convention on April 18, 2026, for House District 48, where he did not secure a nomination.

• Merrill Kunz — Candidate for State House District 48 in UT

  Merrill Kunz is a Republican candidate who sought election to the Utah State House for District 48 in 2026. Kunz participated in the Republican Party's convention process for the primary election but was listed as "Out in Convention" by the Utah Elections authority, indicating their candidacy did not proceed through that avenue to the primary ballot. Kunz was one of several Republicans vying for the District 48 seat, alongside candidates such as Nik Anderson, Johnathan Brooks, and Jake Hunsaker. The district also saw a Democratic candidate, Benyde Walker.

• Jake Hunsaker — Senior operations manager at Qualtrics in UT

  Jake Hunsaker is a conservative Republican seeking to represent Utah State House District 48, covering Herriman, Riverton, and South Jordan. A senior operations manager at Qualtrics with over a decade in the private sector, he also boasts leadership experience within the Salt Lake County and Utah Republican Parties. Hunsaker advocates for serious conservative leadership focused on local results, defending conservative values, and fostering civic respect. His campaign priorities include lower property taxes, faster infrastructure development, and limited government, aiming to tackle affordability and growth challenges with transparency and accountability.

• Nik Anderson — Small business owner in South Jordan, UT

  Nik Anderson is a small business owner and entrepreneur running as a Republican for the Utah House of Representatives, District 48, in 2026. He earned a high school diploma from Bingham High School and a bachelor's degree from the University of Maine, Presque Isle. He is focused on protecting freedom, limiting government, and ensuring accountability, particularly regarding real outcomes for families. Anderson is a principled fiscal conservative who pledges not to vote for tax increases and advocates for reducing regulations that can drive up costs for Utahns. He has committed to supporting congressional term limits. His campaign emphasizes affordability, limited government, and advocating for Utah families.