WASHINGTON, D.C. — Incoming Reps. Blake Moore and Burgess Owens were sworn into office Sunday as the new representatives of Utah's First and Fourth Congressional Districts, respectively.
READ: 117th Congress sworn in Sunday; Pelosi reelected as House speaker
Moore took the oath of office at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. alongside his wife Jane and their son Max, a press release from his office said. He was sworn in by House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy.
Owens was also sworn in and posted a photo with McCarthy and a group of 10 others, but did not give further details.
Moore, an Ogden native and University of Utah grad, replaces former congressman Rob Bishop, who represented the district since 2003 until his retirement. Moore defeated Democrat Darren Parry in the 2020 election after securing the Republican nomination against Davis County Commissioner Bob Stevenson, ex-Utah Agricultural Commissioner Kerry Gibson and Kaysville Mayor Katie Witt.
READ: Introducing District One's newly-elected Congressman, Ogden native Blake Moore
Moore previously worked for the U.S. Department of State and Cicero Group, a Utah-based management consulting firm. He and his wife have three sons: Max, 8, and a pair of 5-year-old twins named George and Winston.
"I'm grateful for all who got us here, & I look forward to bringing the values of UT-01 to DC," Moore said in a tweet.
Today, with my wife & eldest son by my side, I was sworn in as a Member of the 117th Congress to represent the 1st District of Utah in the U.S. House of Representatives. I'm grateful for all who got us here, & I look forward to bringing the values of UT-01 to DC. #utpol pic.twitter.com/o6WUDvel3m
— Rep. Blake Moore (@RepBlakeMoore) January 3, 2021
Owens, a Republican, defeated Democratic incumbent Ben McAdams in the hotly-contested Fourth District race in November. McAdams only served for one term after defeating then-Rep. Mia Love in 2018.
READ: Burgess Owens to challenge Electoral College votes
Owens was born in Ohio and grew up in Florida. He played football and earned a degree in biology and chemistry at the University of Miam, played in the NFL for the New York Jets and Oakland Raiders, and won the Super Bowl in 1980. After retiring from professional football, he pursued a career in "corporate and entrepreneurial endeavors," the biography on his website says. He eventually moved to Draper. He has six children.
"Today, I took an oath to defend the constitution; an oath I do not take lightly," Owens tweeted. "I promise to serve you to the best of my ability. From Juab & Sanpete to Utah & Salt Lake counties, thank you. I will make you proud."
I was proud to vote for @GOPLeader as Speaker of the House today. I share his vision that govt should get out of the way and let our families thrive, and that The American Dream was built on the promise that hard work and freedom can open the doors to success for anyone. pic.twitter.com/UUPxlaAQGE
— Rep. Burgess Owens (@RepBurgessOwens) January 3, 2021
