5 takeaways from Utah's 1st Congressional District debate
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Photo: Scott G Winterton/Deseret News/Pool
Four Democrats vying for the new, left-leaning 1st Congressional District laid out their policy priorities and traded barbs during a televised PBS Utah debate Wednesday.
Why it matters: The debate offered a major opportunity for State Sen. Nate Blouin, tax attorney Michael Farrell, former U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams and state convention winner Liban Mohamed to make their cases to voters before ballots for the June 23 primary are mailed out next week.
Here's what stood out:
1. Candidates call for abolishing ICE – except one
All but one candidate called for abolishing the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
- McAdams instead called for accountability measures, like body cameras, banning face coverings and requiring warrants, and opposed a planned Salt Lake City ICE detention center, which would be the state's first.
The bottom line: In a race where candidates are vying to be the most progressive, McAdams' position stood out.
2. Affordability takes center stage
Blouin, McAdams and Farrell identified affordability, from housing to healthcare, as the biggest challenge facing voters.
- Mohamed cited "diplomacy abroad and our own dignity right here at home."
3. McAdams touts vote to impeach Trump
Facing criticism for his moderate approach to politics, McAdams leaned into his vote to impeach President Trump in 2019, mentioning it not once, but twice on the debate stage.
What they're saying: "I'm a pragmatist, and I prioritized moving the needle and delivering results for people who are counting on us and I'm not ashamed of that label," he told reporters after the debate.
4. Blouin's legislative record comes under fire
Some of the sharpest exchanges came when McAdams and Mohamed criticized Blouin for failing to pass legislation during his tenure as a state lawmaker.
The other side: After the debate, Blouin defended himself by arguing that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani had few bills signed into law during his time as a state lawmaker before becoming mayor.
5. Punchiest quote
"I would happily work with Donald Trump to bring in more funding to the Great Salt Lake. We could call it the 'Great Trump Lake' if he wants to save it. I don't care," Farrell said on his approach for aiding the dwindling lake.