Ben McAdams, a former representative, won the Democratic primary race in Utah’s newly redrawn House district around Salt Lake City, The Associated Press reported on Tuesday. This victory positions Mr. McAdams as the favored candidate for a congressional seat created by court-ordered redistricting, marking a significant development in Utah’s political landscape.
Mr. McAdams previously served one term from 2019 to 2021 before losing his re-election bid. He is now strongly favored to return to Congress this fall. The court-ordered redistricting resulted in a heavily liberal congressional district within the predominantly Republican state of Utah.
The newly redrawn map created a district so liberal that Mr. McAdams, a Latter-day Saint, adjusted some of his past positions. Previously, he had expressed opposition to abortion. However, this year he distanced himself from that stance, stating he would vote to restore nationwide access to the procedure.
Mr. McAdams faced competition from several progressives, including state senator Nate Blouin, who received backing from Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont. Despite this opposition, Mr. McAdams’s greater name recognition among local voters, stemming from his years as county mayor, proved advantageous.
His campaign also benefited from millions of dollars in outside spending. These funds originated from committees associated with the artificial intelligence industry and a group dedicated to electing centrist Democrats. This financial support helped bolster his position against progressive challengers.
Utah Democrats viewed this primary contest as a key opportunity to attract disaffected voters in a state historically dominated by Republicans. While Utahns have supported President Trump, many, particularly Latter-day Saint voters, maintain an affinity for an older style of conservatism.
Mr. McAdams is well-positioned to appeal to these voters. His moderate stance could resonate with those seeking an alternative to the state’s dominant Republican politics. This appeal is particularly relevant as Republicans may seek to redraw the congressional map in the future to restore a more conservative district.
The upcoming general election will test the durability of this newly drawn district and Mr. McAdams’s ability to maintain broad appeal. Future legislative efforts by Republicans to alter the congressional map will also be a critical factor to watch.
