Burgess Owens
U.S. House · UT-4 · Republicans · since 2025
alsoCandidate for U.S. House · UT-4
Biography
Overview
Burgess Owens is a Republican U.S. House Representative from Utah's 4th congressional district, serving since 2021. A former NFL safety who won Super Bowl XV with the Raiders in 1980, Owens is the CEO of Second Chance 4 Youth, a nonprofit serving troubled and incarcerated young people. He is one of four Black Republicans in the House and announced in March 2026 that he would not seek re-election.
Career
Owens was first elected in 2020, narrowly defeating incumbent Democrat Ben McAdams. He won re-election in 2022 with 61.9% in the primary and again in 2024 running unopposed in the primary. His legislative priorities center on education—sponsoring bills on school choice, distance learning, and accreditation reform—and protecting minors through bills addressing child trafficking prevention. He also advances workforce-related measures and rural healthcare access. Owens championed the Fairness for All Act as a Republican alternative protecting LGBTQ+ rights alongside religious liberty, and has worked on local issues like land transfers in his Utah district.
Prior political experience
Owens was first elected to the House in 2020, narrowly winning a competitive general election against Democratic incumbent Ben McAdams after winning the Republican primary with 43% of the vote. In 2022, he won the primary with 61.9% and defeated Democratic and third-party general election opponents. In 2024, he ran unopposed in the Republican primary and won the general election. On March 4, 2026, Owens announced he would not seek re-election, citing the new congressional district map that would create one Democratic-leaning district and three GOP-heavy districts.
Biographical material adapted from the Wikipedia article (retrieved April 29, 2026), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Ideology
Liberal–Conservative (DW-NOMINATE dim 1)
Secondary axis (DW-NOMINATE dim 2)(?)
Campaigns targeting Burgess Owens
No active campaigns target Burgess Owens right now.
Start a campaign targeting Burgess OwensOfficeholding history
| Term | Seat | Term dates | Termination | Predecessor | Successor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd | U.S. House UT-4 | 2025–present | In progress | Burgess Owens | — |
| 2nd | U.S. House UT-4 | 2023–2025 | Term ended | Burgess Owens | Burgess Owens |
| 1st | U.S. House UT-4 | 2021–2023 | Term ended | — | Burgess Owens |
Committee assignments
- Higher Education and Workforce DevelopmentHouseChairman· 2025–present
- Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary EducationHouse· 2025–present
- Health, Employment, Labor, and PensionsHouse· 2025–present
- House· 2025–present
- Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous MaterialsHouse· 2025–present
- AviationHouse· 2025–present
- Highways and TransitHouse· 2025–present
- House· 2025–present
Current term legislation
Bills sponsored this term10
- H.R. 8384
To provide for the conveyance of certain property to the Utah National Guard located in Lehi, Utah, and for other purposes.
Apr 20, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8347
RURAL Healthcare Act
Apr 16, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8272
To classify qualified locum tenens professionals and advanced care practitioners as independent contractors for the purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and the National Labor Relations Act.
Apr 14, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8183
MATCH Act of 2026
Apr 2, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7918
Kids in Classes Act
Mar 12, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7892
No Aid for Ghost Students Act of 2026
Mar 12, 2026REPORTED - H.R. 7677
Closing the Provider Fraud Gap Act
Feb 25, 2026INTRODUCED - H.R. 6809
Alyssa’s Act of 2025
Dec 17, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 6475
Preventing Child Trafficking Act of 2025
Dec 4, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 4716
To transfer administrative jurisdiction of certain Federal land in Saratoga Springs, Utah, from the Secretary of the Interior to the United States Postal Service for construction of a post office, and for other purposes.
Jul 23, 2025INTRODUCED
Bills cosponsored this term10
- H.R. 8400
To amend the Federal Power Act to exempt consumer-regulated electric utilities from Federal regulation, and for other purposes.
Apr 21, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8304
CREATES Act
Apr 15, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8225
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 111 South Tremont Street in Tremonton, Utah, as the "Sorensen-Estrada Post Office".
Apr 9, 2026REPORTED - H.R. 8245
GRACIE Act of 2026
Apr 9, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8213
Defending Women in the Workplace Act
Apr 9, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8117
Fair Treatment of Religious Organizations Act of 2026
Mar 26, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8113
To direct the Secretary of the Interior to carry out a feasibility study on a selective water withdrawal system at Glen Canyon Dam, and for other purposes.
Mar 26, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 8051
TECH Act
Mar 24, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7747
State Veterans Homes Inspection Simplification Act
Mar 2, 2026IN_COMMITTEE - H.R. 7739
Rural Emergency Response Support Act
Feb 26, 2026IN_COMMITTEE
Elections
| Year | Seat | Result | Vote share | Field |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | U.S. House UT-4 | Pending | 63.42% |
|