Clarence Owens

Clarence Burgess Owens is the U.S. Representative for Utah's 4th congressional district, having served since 2021. Born in Columbus, Ohio, and raised in Tallahassee, Florida, he was one of the first Black athletes to receive a football scholarship at the University of Miami, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in biology and chemistry. Owens played ten seasons in the National Football League as a safety for the New York Jets and the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, winning a Super Bowl championship with the Raiders in 1980. After his professional football career, Owens transitioned into the private sector, working in corporate sales for companies like WordPerfect and Motorola, and founding a non-profit organization, Second Chance 4 Youth, to mentor at-risk youth. A member of the Republican Party, he was first elected to Congress in 2020. In March 2026, Owens announced that he would not seek re-election for a fourth term in the 2026 election cycle.

Owens maintains a conservative platform focused on economic growth through tax cuts and deregulation, while opposing increases to the federal minimum wage. He is a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment and has co-sponsored legislation to repeal excise taxes on firearms and prevent federal restrictions on gun ownership. Regarding healthcare, he advocates for improving patient outcomes and protecting coverage for pre-existing conditions. Owens also supports school choice and energy independence, and he holds pro-life views, including a stated desire to defund Planned Parenthood and implement stricter abortion regulations.