A Democrat and a United Utah Party candidate in the state's 1st Congressional District squared off against incumbent Republican Rep. Rob Bishop at the Utah Debate Commission's debate.
Bishop's opponents, United Utah Party candidate Eric Eliason and Democrat Lee Castillo, attempted Wednesday to paint the Republican as a career politician who represents special interests rather than Utah voters.
Eliason critiqued Bishop for pushing to diminish the size of Bears Ears National Monument and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument without protecting those areas from mining extraction.
Castillo thanked Bishop for his years of service, but then stressed it was time for him to retire.
Bishop touted his long experience in government and Congress and his position as the only conservative in the race — values he says have served him well in Washington and with the majority of Utah voters.
