Utah House District 3 2026

Compare candidates running in this Utah federal race. Review their positions, voting records, campaign promises, and donor information.

Patrick Belmont

Party: Independent

Jason Thompson

Party: Republican

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Utah House District 3

Election: Nov 3, 2026Updated: Apr 10, 2026
📊Polling
No official polling data is available for this state legislative race. The only available data is from the 2024 general election where Thompson won approximately 53.67% to Belmont's 46.33%.
Safe Republican— District composition and 2024 election results; no formal rating found from Cook Political Report

This is a heavily Republican-leaning district in Cache County (Logan, River Heights, Richmond). The 2024 general election showed Thompson defeating Belmont with approximately 53.67% to 46.33%, indicating Republican control is secure, though Belmont's strong performance suggests some competitive potential.

Patrick BelmontI
Jason ThompsonR

Summary

Patrick Belmont is a water scientist, energy expert, and university educator running as an independent candidate for Utah House District 3. He is a professor in Utah State University's Watershed Sciences Department with over 20 years of professional experience solving energy, water, air pollution, economic and housing problems. Belmont holds a Ph.D. in Earth and Environmental Sciences from Lehigh University (2007), a master's degree from Lehigh University (2007), and a bachelor's degree from Texas Christian University (2000). He previously ran for the seat in 2022 and 2024, losing to incumbents Dan Johnson and then Jason Thompson respectively. Belmont serves as vice-chair of Logan City's Clean Energy and Sustainability Advisory Board.

Jason Thompson is the Mayor of River Heights and a businessman who was elected to represent Utah House District 3 in 2024. Thompson defeated Patrick Belmont in the 2024 general election with 53.67% of the vote. He assumed office on January 1, 2025, and currently serves on three legislative committees: the House Government Operations Committee, the House Judiciary Committee, and the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee. Thompson has focused on childcare affordability, housing, education, water policy, and supporting small businesses.

Campaign Promises

Other
  • Independent Redistricting and Anti-Gerrymandering
  • Reproductive Rights
  • Protect Constitutional Amendment Rights
Environment
  • Clean Energy Transition
  • Water Resources Management
Education
  • Education Funding
Education
  • School Choice and Education Funding
Other
  • Water Policy and Conservation
Economy
  • Tax Policy and Economic Growth
  • Childcare Support
  • Housing Affordability
Environment
  • Public Lands Management

Key Issue Positions

Water Crisis and Science-Based Policy
Use water science expertise to solve Utah's water problems
Belmont emphasizes his 20+ years of experience in water science, geomorphology, river ecosystems, water quality, and water resource management. He advocates for science-based solutions to water scarcity without subsidizing individual homeowners but rather focusing on comprehensive water policy.
Clean Energy
Transition away from coal to renewable, affordable clean energy
Belmont argues that Utah Legislature's attempts to keep the state hooked on coal will fail and advocates for leading the inevitable transition to clean energy with practical solutions.
Housing Affordability
Simplify zoning codes and use existing housing inventory
Belmont proposes simplifying and harmonizing zoning codes, making better use of existing home inventory, and incentivizing construction of entry-level housing. He opposes allowing housing costs to be determined purely by market forces.
Reproductive Rights
Oppose abortion restrictions and government involvement in medical decisions
Belmont opposes six-week abortion bans, state constitutional amendments banning abortion, and government restrictions on fertility treatments. He advocates for keeping the Legislature out of doctor's offices.
Education Funding
Protect public school funding and oppose voucher expansion
Belmont opposes Amendment A which would further defund schools. He criticizes the voucher program for reducing education funding without accountability, noting Utah has the lowest per-student education funding in America.
Childcare Affordability
Support for tax credits and business incentives
Thompson sponsored H.B. 190 in the 2026 legislative session, which passed the House with a 48-21-6 vote. The bill expands tax credits for businesses that build childcare facilities and support employee childcare. Thompson argued this addresses economic productivity losses from childcare shortages estimated at $1.36 billion annually and $250 million in lost income tax revenue.
Water Policy
Balance agricultural and urban needs with market-based solutions
Thompson emphasized finding practical solutions between competing water interests in Cache Valley, advocating for local control and voluntary conservation systems while protecting private property rights.
Civil Discourse
Promote listening and understanding across political lines
Thompson has emphasized his goal is not to change people's perspectives but to listen and understand issues better to drive positive change. He believes in working across the aisle.

Top Donors

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State legislative campaign finance data was not accessible in search results
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State legislative campaign finance data was not accessible in search results

Contradictions

No contradictions documented.

Claim: Thompson did not answer multiple questions from The Salt Lake Tribune in October 2024 about energy, water, housing, abortion, and education funding
Contradiction: Thompson has campaign positions on these issues on his website (electjasonthompson.com), suggesting either communication issues or deliberate non-engagement during the interview
Source: Salt Lake Tribune, October 17, 2024

What Opponents Say

Jason Thompson

No direct opponent attacks documented; Thompson focused on his own credentials rather than attacking Belmont

Thompson did not provide detailed responses to Salt Lake Tribune questions in 2024, making direct claim-making limited

Patrick Belmont

District 3 is gerrymandered with a 13-mile gap between Logan and Richmond, designed so 'legislators could choose their voters rather than voters choosing their legislators'

Belmont has criticized the district boundaries as an example of gerrymandering that served Republican incumbents

Endorsements

Multiple community membersindividual
Utah State University facultyindividual
Water and environmental advocatesindividual
Dan Johnsonindividual
Utah Republican Partyorganization
Cache County GOP Conventionorganization
View Patrick Belmont's Full Profile →View Jason Thompson's Full Profile →