Pro-Trump Republican Celeste Maloy beat Democratic state Sen. Kathleen Riebe, a self-described moderate, to win Utah’s 2nd Congressional District in a special election Tuesday night, filling the last remaining open seat in the US House of Representatives.

Maloy, who served as retiring Rep. Chris Stewart’s chief legal counsel, had 57% of the vote to 34% for Riebe with an estimated 70% of ballots counted as of Wednesday morning.

Stewart, 63, stepped down in September to attend to his wife, who was diagnosed with an unspecified illness, after having served nearly six consecutive terms in the House.

Maloy campaigned both on her personal background of having lived in the district in rural southern Utah and as a supporter of former President Donald Trump’s agenda.

“I think the fact that a girl from a teeny-tiny town with an unknown name and no budget can jump into a congressional race is a sign that the American Dream is alive and well,” Maloy said Tuesday night. “And I hope other people see me, and realize that.”

She has pledged to beef up US southern border security, rein in reckless federal spending, defend religious liberty and advocate for more state control of natural resources.

Riebe had touted herself as a fiscal conservative and pledged to join the Blue Dog Coalition if elected, telling the Deseret News in August that her “moderate” platform would best serve the district’s constituents.

“We brought the Democratic Party together, we are more cohesive than ever and people are really frustrated with reproductive rights,” she said in an interview following her loss.

Riebe also indicated she would consider another run for office, saying that her campaign succeeded in “building the base of the Democratic Party and trying to turn this state purple.”

Maloy’s win brings the House to its full complement of 435, with 222 Republicans and 213 Democrats.

“I am honored to congratulate Congresswoman-elect Celeste Maloy on her victory in Utah’s Second Congressional District,” National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) said in a statement.

“Utahns have spoken — they want a strong conservative fighting to lower inflation and get our border crisis under control — and that’s what Celeste will deliver as their Congresswoman.”

All four Utah representatives in the House are Republican, as are both US senators.

Earlier this month, Rhode Island Democrat Gabe Amo won a special election to replace Rep. David Cicilline, keeping that seat blue.

With Post wires