Incumbents Merlynn Newbold, Mel Brown, Becky Edwards and R. Curt Webb hold off challengers in House races

Four Utah House of Representatives incumbents have advanced to the November election by winning their respective primary races Tuesday.

In the House District 50 Republican race, in the South Jordan area, incumbent Merlynn Newbold came out on top by receiving 60 percent of the votes, while opponent Steven Roberts gathered 40 percent.

"We worked hard to get our message out," Newbold told the Deseret News late Tuesday night, "and I'm appreciative of family and friends who helped. I appreciate the vote of confidence. It's an honor to represent our district in the Legislature."

Roberts said that since March, he has had the opportunity of meeting with many people in District 50.

"I have established new and, I hope, lasting relationships," he said. "There are many good people in the communities which make up District 50. They have now spoken. It is time to move forward."

In Davis and Salt Lake counties in the Republican District 20 race, incumbent Becky Edwards earned 58 percent of the vote to beat challenger D.J. Schanz, who had 42 percent.

Voters in Summit, Wasatch, Morgan, Dagget and Rich counties clung onto incumbent Mel Brown, R-Coalville, in the District 53 Republican race. Brown took 55 percent of the vote over Jon Hellander.

Brown, who is campaigning for his third term, will now go head-to-head against Democrat Glenn Wright of Park City in the November election.

In the Republican House District 5 race in Cache County, incumbent R. Curt Webb, R-Logan, held off challenger Chuck Bateman by receiving 68.4 percent of the vote, compared with Bateman's 31.6 percent.

Utah Valley University Vice President Val Peterson received 61 percent of the vote to win the Republican primary for Utah House District 59. Peterson defeated Orem attorney Michael J. Thompson.

"Our campaign worked very hard," Peterson said.

Although the race for the House seat was out of the spotlight, Peterson said it was hard-fought.

"I think both of us worked really hard within the district," he said.

Peterson will run against Democrat James Greer in November.