Blake Moore Bio
Blake David Moore (born June 22, 1980) is an American politician and former diplomat who has represented Utah’s 1st congressional district in the United States House of Representatives since January 2021. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as a United States Foreign Service officer and as a business consultant. In November 2023, Moore was elected vice chair of the House Republican Conference, adding a senior party leadership role to his work in Congress.
Early Life and Background
Blake David Moore was born and raised in Ogden, Utah, where he attended Ogden High School and graduated in 1998. During high school, he played quarterback for the football team and, in 1997, won the Wendy’s High School Heisman, an award that recognizes student-athletes for excellence in academics, athletics, and community leadership. He is also an Eagle Scout, an accomplishment that reflected his early commitment to service and outdoor skills.
After high school, Moore enrolled at Utah State University on a football scholarship. His freshman roommate was Spencer Nelson, an American-born Azerbaijani professional basketball player. Moore later left school temporarily to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Seoul, South Korea. When he returned, his football scholarship had been rescinded by a newly installed football coach, and he transferred to the University of Utah, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in behavioral science and business.
Path to US Politics
Moore went on to earn a Master of Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University, training that helped shape his interest in public service. He briefly served as a United States Foreign Service officer in the United States Department of State, gaining experience in diplomacy and international affairs. Following his time in the Foreign Service, he returned to Utah and worked as a business consultant for the Cicero Group, a management consulting firm based in Salt Lake City, building a profile in the state’s business and policy circles before entering electoral politics.
Blake Moore Career
Early Career (2020)
In February 2020, Blake David Moore declared his candidacy for Utah’s 1st congressional district in the 2020 elections. The race drew a crowded field, and Moore advanced out of the Republican nominating convention in second place alongside Weber County Commissioner Kerry Gibson. Two other candidates, Davis County Commissioner Bob Stevenson and Kaysville Mayor Katie Witt, also qualified by gathering signatures. During the primary, Moore faced criticism for living on the east bench of Salt Lake City, about 15 miles outside the district, though congressional candidates are required only to reside in the same state. He went on to win the four-way June 30 Republican primary with just over 30 percent of the vote.
In the November general election, Moore defeated Democratic nominee Darren Parry with 69.5 percent of the vote to Parry’s 30.4 percent. He took office on January 3, 2021, marking the first time in 18 years that the seat had been open, and he preserved Republican control of the district, which the party has held since 1980.
Breakthrough (2021)
Moore’s first year in Congress quickly established him as an active legislator on national issues. On May 19, 2021, he voted for bipartisan legislation to establish a January 6 commission to investigate the attack on the U.S. Capitol, a bill that was later blocked in the Senate. Earlier, he had voted against the second impeachment of Donald Trump. He was also among the few House Republicans who voted to keep Liz Cheney as conference chair both times the question was put to the House, telling the Deseret News editorial board that he felt no pressure from party leadership and that it was important for the Republican leadership team to hold broad appeal.
On the legislative side, Moore co-sponsored the Fairness for All Act, the Republican alternative to the Equality Act, which sought to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity while protecting the free exercise of religion. In November 2021, he voted against the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. After the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, he introduced the Afghanistan Accountability Act to investigate what the Biden administration knew before the withdrawal.
Republican Era (2022–Present)
On July 19, 2022, Moore was one of 47 Republican representatives to vote for the Respect for Marriage Act, which codified the right to same-sex marriage in federal law. The vote showed his willingness to break with parts of his caucus on social issues, consistent with his earlier support for the Fairness for All Act. In February 2024, Moore voted against the impeachment of Alejandro Mayorkas as part of a procedural move designed to allow the vote to be brought again under a motion to reconsider, and he later voted in favor of impeachment the second time around.
On November 8, 2023, Moore defeated six other candidates to become the GOP conference vice chair, filling the position vacated by the ascension of Mike Johnson to Speaker of the House. The election elevated him into the House Republican leadership team, giving him a direct role in shaping the conference’s messaging and strategy. In his 2022 primary, he faced two challengers, Tina Cannon and Andrew Badger, and received a public endorsement from State Senate President Stuart Adams in the Deseret News.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Blake David Moore’s early congressional career was his 2023 election as vice chair of the House Republican Conference, a leadership post won against six other candidates. He has also drawn national attention for his votes on high-profile matters, including support for the Respect for Marriage Act and for a January 6 commission, as well as his introduction of the Afghanistan Accountability Act.
Blake Moore Career Wins
Blake David Moore’s electoral record reflects steady support in Utah’s 1st congressional district, a seat that has been in Republican hands since 1980. His victories include a competitive 2020 primary win and a commanding general election win that same year, followed by his election to House Republican leadership in 2023.
Congressional Election Highlights
Moore first won his seat in the 2020 general election, defeating Democratic nominee Darren Parry with 69.5 percent of the vote to Parry’s 30.4 percent. In his 2022 primary, he faced two challengers, Tina Cannon and Andrew Badger, and won renomination with the endorsement of State Senate President Stuart Adams. He then went on to secure a second full term in the 2022 general election, continuing Republican control of the district.
Other Wins & Achievements
Beyond electoral politics, Moore won the Wendy’s High School Heisman in 1997, an early recognition of his balance of academics, athletics, and community service. He also achieved the rank of Eagle Scout, and in November 2023 he was elected vice chair of the House Republican Conference, one of the most significant leadership wins of his career.
Blake Moore Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Blake David Moore was raised in Ogden, Utah, and his roots in the state have remained central to his political identity. He has spoken publicly about the influence of his faith, including his service as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Seoul, South Korea, an experience that took place during his college years.
Personal Life
Moore and his wife, Jane Boyer, have four sons. The couple married in 2010, and 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.” His family life in Utah remains a central part of his public identity.