UT-01: Can a progressive beat Ben McAdams? That's the big question in Utah Democrats' 1st District primary

A surprise blue-leaning congressional district in Utah has brought a race for the Democratic nomination that continues to be crowded even after the party’s convention and Hail Mary efforts to consolidate the list of progressive candidates.

Now that ballots are starting to hit mailboxes, voters in the small district encompassing heavily populated Salt Lake County, regardless of their affiliation, will address the looming question — can Ben McAdams, the last Utah Democrat to serve in Congress, be beat?.....

Even as the race is perceived to be between him and the rest of the field, McAdams said he’s not focused on other candidates, but on his platform. However, he repeated a line he has said in the past when speaking about some Democrats labeling him as a moderate.

“Progressive has to mean making progress,” McAdams said, arguing that he has accomplished policy change during his time in different elected offices. “The biggest battles that Utah Democrats have fought over the last years, I’ve led the charge, and I’ve fought, and I’ve won. So, you know, all of the candidates talk about being a fighter, but none of them can point to any victories that they’ve secured.”




https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/06/11/utah-democrats-district-1-primary-ben-mcadams-vs-progressives/