Q&A: Ben McAdams says he'll stand up to Trump again
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Courtesy: McAdams Campaign
Former U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams, the last Democrat to represent Utah in Congress, is hoping voters send him back to Washington.
State of play: It's been more than five years since McAdams, a moderate widely viewed as the frontrunner, left Congress, and he must persuade voters he can effectively stand up to President Trump again this time around.
How it works: Axios Salt Lake City asked McAdams to complete a survey ahead of the June 23 primary to better understand his priorities and approach to representing the district.
Here's what he told us:
1. What is the single biggest issue facing Utahns and what would you do about it?
Utah families are picking up the tab for a broken and corrupt system. People are paying more for groceries, housing, health care and energy while Donald Trump and his allies hand tax breaks to billionaires, protect powerful corporations and pass costs along to working families.
I've stood up to Trump before when I voted to impeach knowing it would cost me the election. I'll do it again by fighting to end tariff-driven price hikes, lower housing and health care costs, restore ACA subsidies, protect Medicaid, and build an economy where Utah families — not the wealthy and well-connected — come first.
2. What have congressional Democrats gotten wrong in the first two years of President Trump's second term?
Congressional Democrats have too often acted like this is politics as usual. It isn't. Donald Trump is dismantling our democracy, weaponizing the Justice Department, targeting immigrant communities, enriching himself and his allies, and weakening America abroad. Republicans are his accomplices, but Democrats need to stop hedging and start meeting this moment with the urgency it deserves.
3. Describe your favorite part about living in Utah in five words or less.
Vibrant, creative people, wild places.
4. Describe your leadership style in one word.
Courage.
See McAdams' competitors' survey responses here: Nate Blouin, Michael Farrell and Liban Mohamed