Candidates in Utah are for the first time fighting to outflank each other on the left after a redistricting shakeup gave Democrats a prime pickup opportunity in the red state. Former U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams sought to shed the “moderate” label at a forum for Gen Z voters this month.
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Here's how to cope with in-flight anxietyInspired by Picasso, an AP photographer visualizes a blind person ‘seeing’ artTrump threatens to destroy Iran's desalination plants. Here’s what that could mean for the MideastCorn tortillas in California now must contain folic acid. More states are looking at itWorries about flying seem to be taking off. Here's how to cope with in-flight anxietyJury finds Instagram and YouTube liable in a landmark social media addiction trialDo-it-yourself projects can save money and build confidence, or do the oppositeEl papa León XIV rechaza en Domingo de Ramos las afirmaciones de que Dios justifica la guerraEl papa León XIV rechaza en Domingo de Ramos las afirmaciones de que Dios justifica la guerraLIVE Here's how to cope with in-flight anxietyInspired by Picasso, an AP photographer visualizes a blind person ‘seeing’ artTrump threatens to destroy Iran's desalination plants. Here’s what that could mean for the MideastCorn tortillas in California now must contain folic acid. More states are looking at itWorries about flying seem to be taking off. Here's how to cope with in-flight anxietyJury finds Instagram and YouTube liable in a landmark social media addiction trialDo-it-yourself projects can save money and build confidence, or do the oppositeEl papa León XIV rechaza en Domingo de Ramos las afirmaciones de que Dios justifica la guerraEl papa León XIV rechaza en Domingo de Ramos las afirmaciones de que Dios justifica la guerraPoliticsFormer U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams speaks to a voter at an event for candidates running to represent Utah’s new Democratic-leaning congressional district, March 21, 2026, in Taylorsville, Utah. Utah state Sen. Nate Blouin, left, and tax attorney Michael Farrell speak on a panel of candidates running to represent Utah’s new Democratic-leaning congressional district, March 21, 2026, in Taylorsville, Utah. Candidate handouts are displayed at an event for candidates running to represent Utah’s new Democratic-leaning congressional district, March 21, 2026, in Taylorsville, Utah. Utah state Sen. Kathleen Riebe, a candidate for Utah’s new Democratic-leaning congressional district, speaks to constituents March 21, 2026, in Taylorsville, Utah. Former U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams speaks at a forum for candidates running to represent Utah’s new Democratic-leaning congressional district, March 21, 2026, in Taylorsville, Utah. Former U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams speaks to a voter at an event for candidates running to represent Utah’s new Democratic-leaning congressional district, March 21, 2026, in Taylorsville, Utah. Former U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams speaks to a voter at an event for candidates running to represent Utah’s new Democratic-leaning congressional district, March 21, 2026, in Taylorsville, Utah. Utah state Sen. Nate Blouin, left, and tax attorney Michael Farrell speak on a panel of candidates running to represent Utah’s new Democratic-leaning congressional district, March 21, 2026, in Taylorsville, Utah. Utah state Sen. Nate Blouin, left, and tax attorney Michael Farrell speak on a panel of candidates running to represent Utah’s new Democratic-leaning congressional district, March 21, 2026, in Taylorsville, Utah. Candidate handouts are displayed at an event for candidates running to represent Utah’s new Democratic-leaning congressional district, March 21, 2026, in Taylorsville, Utah. Candidate handouts are displayed at an event for candidates running to represent Utah’s new Democratic-leaning congressional district, March 21, 2026, in Taylorsville, Utah. Utah state Sen. Kathleen Riebe, a candidate for Utah’s new Democratic-leaning congressional district, speaks to constituents March 21, 2026, in Taylorsville, Utah. Utah state Sen. Kathleen Riebe, a candidate for Utah’s new Democratic-leaning congressional district, speaks to constituents March 21, 2026, in Taylorsville, Utah. Former U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams speaks at a forum for candidates running to represent Utah’s new Democratic-leaning congressional district, March 21, 2026, in Taylorsville, Utah. Former U.S. Rep. Ben McAdams speaks at a forum for candidates running to represent Utah’s new Democratic-leaning congressional district, March 21, 2026, in Taylorsville, Utah. TAYLORSVILLE, Utah — For decades, Democrats’ only chance of getting elected to Congress from the conservative state of Utah was by convincing voters that they were sensible moderates, not like the zealous progressives from California or Colorado.that created a deep blue district anchored by Salt Lake City. Suddenly, congressional candidates are trying to outflank each other on the left in an unusual race that could help determine whether Democrats take back control of the U.S. House in the, a former congressman who once described himself as pro-life and voted against a federal minimum wage increase. As he mounts a comeback campaign in a much more Democratic district, he pledged his support for abortion rights and raising the minimum wage during a recent forum for young voters. As primary opponents criticized McAdams as the most conservative among them, he insisted that he’s only “moderate in tone.” It’s a far different approach than McAdams used in 2018, when he ousted a Republican incumbent in the midterms of President Donald Trump’s first term. While representing the southwest Salt Lake Valley and parts of deep-red Utah County in the former 4th district, he was considered the most conservative House Democrat during his single termMcAdams is now running in the new 1st district, including all of Salt Lake City and much of its suburbs, which emerged from a Whoever wins the primary will likely win the November general election, and McAdams faces a half-dozen Democratic opponents. “What makes me a strong candidate is the fact that I’ve actually delivered on a lot of things people are talking about,” McAdams told The Associated Press. “It’s easy to have a strongly worded tweet or talking points, but I can actually follow that up with accomplishments that are making life better.”Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin views Utah’s 1st district as a foothold in a red state that could not only help the party win the House this year but set it up for long-term success. He said the party is pouring more money into Utah than ever before — at least $22,500 a month — toThe recipe for success, Martin said, is a willingness to meet voters where they’re at and a platform that reflects “not just the majority of Democrats, but the majority of the people in the district.” Unlike state Republicans, the Democrats are holding an open primary on June 23, meaning anyone in the district can vote, regardless of party affiliation. That could benefit a candidate like McAdams, who built a broad base during his previous campaign. But state party leaders have said they’re confident that registered Democrats have a strong enough majority to decide the primary.Even though the church is headquartered in Salt Lake City, the capital is one of the only places where Democrats hold local control and religion takes a back seat in politics. Martin expects the youth vote will be key to winning in Utah and building longevity there. Utah is the youngest state, with a median age of about 32. “This is a group that’s up for grabs,” he told the AP, noting that Democrats too often assume young voters are with them. He said that could mean Utah “is one of the biggest potential swing states in the country.”“Everything I am seeing shows the younger generation continuing to lead in the promotion of our conservative principles,” he said. “While we see the generational passing of the torch, there is not a political swing away from the values that make Utah a wonderful place to call home.”Several young voters who came to meet candidates on a Saturday morning in Taylorsville said they hoped to capitalize on the opportunity to elect a progressive.Perhaps the most vocal Democrat in the Republican-led state legislature, Blouin has racked up endorsements from some of the country’s most prominent progressives, including Sen. Bernie Sanders and Reps. Pramila Jayapal, Greg Casar and Maxwell Frost. Blouin said he aims to energize an electorate that has grown accustomed to settling for someone who will “play nice” with Republicans. He jabbed at McAdams’ voting record while defending himself against criticisms that he has never passed legislation. Blouin said he’s been effectively blacklisted by Republican legislative leaders, and at least two bills that he originally sponsored passed after they advanced under other lawmakers’ names. “I don’t measure progress by how many times you can get pats on the back from Republicans,” he told the AP. His stance resonated with Hohmann, a transportation engineer, who said Utah has “an electric moment” to elect a Democrat who won’t compromise their values. Hannah Paisley Zoulek, 19, of Millcreek, said she’s leaning toward Blouin or his colleague in the state Senate, former teacher Kathleen Riebe. But she had a concern about Blouin. “I struggle a bit with Senator Blouin’s emphasis on how hard he holds his own positions,” Zoulek said. “It’s great if you want to make a statement, but not necessarily if you want to do the work.” Neither Hohmann nor Zoulek thought McAdams was the right fit for the new district given his more moderate past.The 17-year-old from Cottonwood Heights considers himself very progressive and said he thinks McAdams is “a great option.” He noted that McAdams voted to impeach Trump in 2019, despite knowing it could cost him reelection. “I don’t think left-wing voters want a moderate Democrat who will capitulate to the right,” Iverson said, adding that he thinks McAdams has successfully shed the moderate label. Throughout his life, Iverson said McAdams has been a mainstay of local politics. He was Salt Lake County’s state senator, then its“I’ve been in the trenches, rolling up my sleeves, saying not ‘How do we pass a bill that will never become law?’ but ‘How do we actually enact legislation that will make people’s lives better?’” McAdams said.Schoenbaum is a national reporter for The Associated Press, based Salt Lake City, Utah. She covers politics, policy and breaking news in the Mountain West and beyond.
Ben Mcadams Donald Trump U.S. Democratic Party 2026 Elections General News UT State Wire U.S. News Bernie Sanders Elections Kathleen Riebe Liberalism Pramila Jayapal Ken Martin Washington News Robert Axson Nate Blouin Legislation United States House Of Representatives Ben Iverson Government And Politics Hannah Paisley Zoulek Redistricting Politics U.S. News Washington News
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