Former U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams wins Democratic primary for Utah's 1st District
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Former U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams has won the Democratic nomination for Utah's 1st Congressional District race, per the Associated Press.
Why it matters: The primary victory positions McAdams for a political comeback in a newly drawn, court-ordered district that Democrats are heavily favored to win in November, potentially ending Utah's all-GOP House delegation.
The big picture: McAdams vied for the nomination in a four-way primary against three progressive candidates: state Sen. Nate Blouin (D-Salt Lake City), political newcomer Liban Mohamed, and tax attorney Michael Farrell.
- McAdams centered his campaign on improving affordability and touted his vote to impeach President Trump during his first term.
The latest: He held an overwhelming lead in preliminary results.
What they're saying: "Utahns deserve someone who has already shown the courage to stand up and to speak with conviction when the pressure is real," McAdams said at his Election Night watch party in Salt Lake City.
Flashback: McAdams was the last Democrat to represent Utah in Congress, serving from 2019 to 2021.
- He narrowly unseated then-U.S. Rep. Mia Love in the 2018 election, but lost his reelection bid to retired NFL player Burgess Owens in 2020.
- Before heading to Washington, he served as Salt Lake County mayor and as a state senator.
Zoom in: McAdams, known for his moderate record in Congress, drew criticism for backing anti-Trump independent Evan McMullin in the 2022 Senate race against incumbent GOP Sen. Mike Lee over fellow Democrat Kael Weston.
- Democratic Party delegates declined to field their own candidate that year, instead throwing their support behind McMullin.
- Progressive opponents also repeatedly targeted McAdams over his moderate politics.
- At the Democratic state convention in April, he failed to secure delegates' support, narrowly losing to Mohamed.
By the numbers: McAdams was the leading fundraiser throughout the race, gathering nearly $2 million in total contributions.
What we're watching: McAdams will face GOP candidate Riley Owen, an intelligence officer in the Navy Reserve, in November.