Qualifying is underway for the rescheduled U.S. House election. With the original closed primary cancelled at the last minute following the Supreme Court decision on the previous congressional map, this year’s races revert back to the open primary system. Michael Echols qualified in district five back in February, and he qualified again this morning.
“They’re tired of politicians talking and not solving problems. They’re looking for somebody who knows how to build, how to navigate and how to deliver results,” Echols said.
Echols outlined some of his priorities should he be elected to Congress.
“We need to modernize our electrical grid; expanding broadband and then investing in our next-generation infrastructure. We actually need to pass a farm bill that works for farmers,” Echols noted.
Another candidate who qualified for the district five ballot is Gabe Firment, who said the people in the district he spoke to told him they’re concerned about the future of this country.
“They’re concerned that our God-given rights, enshrined in the Constitution, are at peril; and that we are on the verge of losing this country to people who have no respect for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” Firment said.
Firment said he will never lose sight of the fact that serving in Congress means serving his constituents.
“I’m not running for this office out of personal ambition or the desire for power or to become wealthy. I’m running because I love my country, I love my state,” Firment noted.
While Echols previously qualified back in February, Firment did not. He jumped into the race after the district was redrawn – a sentiment shared by Stewart Cathey, who also qualified this morning after not previously running.
“I’m always looking for ways to serve. And when the Supreme Court agreed with my vote back in 2024 and ruled the maps unconstitutional, this certainly provided another avenue to serve,” Cathey said.
Because this is an open primary, Echols, Firment, Cathey and other Republicans will appear on the same ballot as the Democrats and third-party candidates. So far, Dan McKay is the only Democrat who has qualified in the fifth district race.