State House District 51 in Utah State House District 51, Utah

2026 Primary Election

• Brett Nielsen — Candidate for State House in UT

  Brett Nielsen is running for Utah House District 51 as a centrist Democrat. Raised in rural Idaho within a conservative, faith-centered community, he moved to Utah for opportunities and now calls it home. He champions values such as hard work, personal responsibility, respect, and community service. Nielsen believes government should work for its constituents, advocating for accountability, transparency, and reducing unnecessary overreach. His platform focuses on affordability, investing in infrastructure, transportation, education, workforce development, small businesses, local economies, and accessible healthcare. He aims to ensure thoughtful planning supports working families, addresses rising costs, and protects natural resources and children from harmful technologies, emphasizing representation for the people over party affiliation.

• Leah Hansen — Incumbent State House Representative in UT

  Leah Hansen is an incumbent Republican member of the Utah House of Representatives for District 51, having assumed office on August 13, 2025, after winning a special election. Born in Hawaii, she lived in Tonga until age 12 before relocating to Utah. A stay-at-home mother, she became engaged in legislative proceedings around 2016. Hansen champions limited government, exemplified by her stance on not introducing bills to practice self-restraint. She has publicly supported an anti-DEI bill and legislation encouraging childhood independence. Hansen is currently running for re-election in 2026, having advanced from her party's convention, with the primary election subsequently canceled.