Blake Moore

American politician (born 1980)

Blake Moore
Official portrait, 2022
Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference
Incumbent
Assumed office
November 8, 2023
LeaderMike Johnson
Preceded byMike Johnson
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Utah's 1st district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2021
Preceded byRob Bishop
Personal details
Born
Blake David Moore

(1980-06-22) June 22, 1980 (age 43)
Ogden, Utah, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Jane Boyer
​
(m. 2010)​
Children3
EducationUniversity of Utah (BA)
Northwestern University (MPA)
WebsiteHouse website

Blake David Moore (born June 22, 1980)[1] is an American politician and former diplomat from the state of Utah. He is the U.S. representative for Utah's 1st congressional district, serving since January 2021. Since November 8, 2023, he has been vice chair of the House Republican Conference.

Early life and education

Moore was born and raised in Ogden, Utah. He attended Ogden High School, graduating in 1998.[2][3] During high school, he was a quarterback for the football team.[4] In 1997, he won the Wendy's High School Heisman.[5] He is an Eagle Scout.[6]

After graduating from high school, Moore enrolled at Utah State University on a football scholarship.[7] His freshman year roommate was American-born Azerbaijani NBA player Spencer Nelson. During his freshman year, Moore's football scholarship was rescinded by a newly-installed football coach after he left to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Seoul, South Korea.[8]

After returning from his mission, Moore transferred to the University of Utah, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in behavioral science and business. He earned a master's in public policy and administration from Northwestern University.[9][10]

Career

Moore briefly served as a United States Foreign Service officer in the United States Department of State, and worked as a business consultant for the Cicero Group, a management consulting firm based in Salt Lake City.[11]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2020

In February 2020, Moore declared his candidacy for Utah's 1st congressional district in the 2020 elections.[11] In a field of 12 primary candidates, Moore advanced out of the Republican nominating convention in second place, together with Weber County Commissioner Kerry Gibson. Two other candidates, Davis County commissioner Bob Stevenson and Kaysville mayor Katie Witt, also secured their spot in the primary by gathering signatures. During the party nominating process, Moore was criticized for not living within the congressional district.[12] At the time, he resided on the east bench of Salt Lake City, 15 miles outside the district. Congressional candidates are not required to live inside the district they represent, only in the same state. Moore then won the four-way June 30 Republican primary with just over 30% of the vote.[13]

In the general election, Moore defeated Democratic nominee Darren Parry with 69.5% of the vote to Parry's 30.4%.[14] He took office on January 3, 2021, marking the first time an incumbent had not run in 18 years and maintaining Republican control of the district since 1980.[15][16]

2022

Moore faced two primary challengers, Tina Cannon and Andrew Badger. On May 15, State Senate President Stuart Adams endorsed Moore in an editorial in the Deseret News.[17]

Tenure

Moore voted against the second impeachment of Donald Trump.[18]

On May 19, 2021, Moore voted for bipartisan legislation to establish the January 6 commission meant to investigate the attack on the U.S. Capitol.[19] The bill to establish this commission was blocked in the Senate. House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy had earlier advocated for congressional action to form such a commission on January 13, stating that "[he thought] a fact-finding commission ... would be prudent."[20] Moore voted against the Democratic-led United States House Select Committee on the January 6 Attack.[21]

Moore was among the few House Republicans who voted to keep Liz Cheney as conference chair both times a vote was held.[22] In an interview with the Deseret News editorial board, Moore stated he felt no pressure to vote one way or another from Republican leadership, and said it was important for the Republican leadership team to hold "broad appeal."

Moore failed to disclose stock trades on time as required by the STOCK Act. The total value of the stocks in question is unknown but is between $78,000 and $1.1 million. Moore has acknowledged paying a "late filing fee" to the House Committee on Ethics in July 2021; the value of that fee generally starts at $200.[23]

Moore voted against the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.[24]

In the wake of the Taliban's conquering of Afghanistan, Moore introduced the Afghanistan Accountability Act to investigate what the Biden administration knew before deciding to leave Afghanistan.[25]

As of November 2021, Moore voted with Joe Biden's preferred positions 16% of the time, according to FiveThirtyEight's tracker.[26]

In 2021, Moore co-sponsored the Fairness for All Act, the Republican alternative to the Equality Act.[27] The bill would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity, and protect the free exercise of religion.

On July 19, 2022, Moore and 46 other Republican Representatives voted for the Respect for Marriage Act, which would codify the right to same-sex marriage in federal law.[28]

On November 8, 2023, Moore defeated six other candidates to become the GOP conference vice chair, the position that was vacated by the ascension of Mike Johnson to the role of Speaker of the House.[29][30]

In February 2024, Moore voted against the impeachment of Alejandro Mayorkas as part of a procedural move in order to allow the vote to brought again under a motion to reconsider.[31] He would vote in favor of it the second time around.

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Personal life

Moore and his wife, Jane Boyer, have three sons.[38][39] Moore has said that despite being elected to one of the most powerful political bodies in the world, the title he most prizes is "Little League coach".[40]

References

  1. ^ Bautista, Lillian (November 30, 2020). "Rep.-elect Blake Moore (R-Utah-01)". The Hill. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  2. ^ Standard-Examiner, TIM VANDENACK. "Ogden native, former U.S. foreign service officer launches U.S. House bid". Standard-Examiner. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  3. ^ "Blake Moore – General". National Football Foundation. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  4. ^ "Ogden quarterback is so much Moore than a good football player – Deseret News". Deseret.com. November 4, 1997. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  5. ^ "House hopeful Blake Moore puts focus on foreign service, work with Utah's economy | Government". standard.net. June 16, 2020. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  6. ^ "Ogden's Blake Moore named national winner of High School Heisman – Deseret News". Deseret.com. December 13, 1997. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  7. ^ "Another Utah congressional candidate runs in a district where he does not live". The Salt Lake Tribune.
  8. ^ "How Utahn Blake Moore went from a political unknown to GOP nominee for Congress". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  9. ^ "Blake Moore". Cicero Group. Archived from the original on June 14, 2022. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  10. ^ KUTV (June 16, 2020). "Blake Moore – 1st Congressional District candidate". KUTV. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  11. ^ a b "Ogden native, former U.S. foreign service officer launches U.S. House bid | Government". standard.net. June 16, 2020. Archived from the original on September 13, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
  12. ^ "Utah's 1st District Republican primary features plenty of controversy". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  13. ^ "Blake Moore wins Utah's tight 1st Congressional District GOP race". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  14. ^ "Utah House Results". CNN. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  15. ^ "AP: Blake Moore wins Utah's 1st Congressional District". KSLNewsRadio. November 4, 2020. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  16. ^ "Blake Moore will be a new Utah face in Congress as Reps. Chris Stewart, John Curtis also win big". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved November 4, 2020.
  17. ^ "Opinion: Utah Senate president believes we need a congressman like Blake Moore". Deseret News. May 15, 2022.
  18. ^ "Congressman Blake Moore Statement on Impeachment Vote | Representative Blake Moore". Blakemoore.house.gov. January 13, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  19. ^ LeBlanc, Paul (May 19, 2021). "Here are the 35 House Republicans who voted for the January 6 commission". CNN. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  20. ^ Harwood, John. "Analysis: Dismissed in 2012, this diagnosis of GOP ills has now become undeniable". CNN. Retrieved May 24, 2021.
  21. ^ "House creates Jan. 6 select committee". Roll Call. June 30, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  22. ^ "Rep. Liz Cheney supported by Utah Rep. Blake Moore - Deseret News". Deseret.com. May 24, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  23. ^ "This Utah congressman paid a fine for violating rule on stock sales". July 26, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  24. ^ "Blake Moore defends 'No' vote on national infrastructure bill". Cache Valley Daily.
  25. ^ Taylor, Casey (August 23, 2021). "Utah Congressman Blake Moore Introduces Afghanistan Accountability Act". www.upr.org.
  26. ^ Anna Wiederkehr and Aaron Bycoffe (November 19, 2021). "Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden? | FiveThirtyEight". Projects.fivethirtyeight.com. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  27. ^ "Fairness for All Act (H.R. 1440)".
  28. ^ Schnell, Mychael (July 19, 2022). "These are the 47 House Republicans who voted for a bill protecting marriage equality". The Hill. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
  29. ^ Moore tapped for House leadership vacancy caused by Johnson promotion. Roll Call. November 8, 2023.
  30. ^ Rep. Blake Moore hopes new leadership role will help GOP ‘go out and win the future’, Deseret News. November 8, 2023.
  31. ^ Fox, Derick (February 7, 2024). "Congressman Blake Moore votes against impeaching Mayorkas as a 'procedural' move". ABC Salt Lake City. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
  32. ^ "Congressman Blake Moore Selected to Serve on the House Armed Services Committee | Representative Blake Moore". blakemoore.house.gov. January 25, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  33. ^ "Congressman Blake Moore Selected to Serve on the House Committee on Natural Resources | Representative Blake Moore". blakemoore.house.gov. January 25, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  34. ^ "Congressman Blake Moore Appointed to the House Budget Committee | Representative Blake Moore". blakemoore.house.gov. June 27, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  35. ^ "MEMBERS". RMSP. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
  36. ^ "Member List". Republican Study Committee. Archived from the original on January 1, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2017.
  37. ^ "Homepage of Republican Governance Group". Republican Governance Group. December 14, 2019.
  38. ^ "Meet Blake". Elect Blake Moore for Congress. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  39. ^ Oglesby, Jon. "Former High School Heisman winner giving back". Standard-Examiner. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
  40. ^ "Meet Representative Blake Moore". U.S. Congressman Blake Moore. January 3, 2021. Retrieved April 5, 2021.

External links

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Utah's 1st congressional district
2021–present 		Incumbent
Party political offices
Preceded by
Mike Johnson
 Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference
2023–present 		Incumbent
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Preceded by
Barry Moore
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Utah's delegation(s) to the 117th–present United States Congress (ordered by seniority)
117th
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  • ▌C. Stewart (R)
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  • ▌B. Moore (R)
  • ▌B. Owens (R)
118th
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  • ▌C. Stewart (R)
  • ▌J. Curtis (R)
  • ▌B. Moore (R)
  • ▌B. Owens (R)
  • ▌C. Maloy (R)
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