Former Rep. Ben McAdams emerged victorious in Tuesday's Democratic primary for Utah's newly redrawn 1st Congressional District, according to projections from Decision Desk HQ. McAdams, a moderate who served one term representing the state's 4th District from 2019 to 2021 before losing to Republican Burgess Owens, defeated progressive state Sen. Nate Blouin and two other candidates. The race is shaping up as a promising pickup opportunity for Democrats in November.
Democrats have not held a House seat in Utah since McAdams's 2020 defeat, and the state's other three congressional districts are expected to remain in Republican hands. However, the 1st District—redrawn by court order—now leans heavily Democratic, giving McAdams a significant advantage as he prepares to face Republican Riley Owen, an intelligence officer in the Navy Reserve who secured his party's nomination at the state GOP convention in the spring.
McAdams brings substantial experience and name recognition to the general election. He previously served as Salt Lake County mayor and as a state senator in the GOP-dominated Utah legislature, and he pitched himself as a centrist capable of winning over independents and moderate Republicans. His campaign raised nearly $2 million, according to Federal Election Commission filings, far outpacing his primary rivals.
Blouin, widely seen as McAdams's top challenger, ran as a progressive alternative, urging Democrats to adopt a more aggressive stance on issues like healthcare and housing. He secured endorsements from high-profile left-wing figures, including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and Greg Casar (D-Texas). The primary contest mirrored broader Democratic divisions seen in races like the New York primaries, where left-wing candidates ousted incumbents, deepening the party's internal rift. Rep. Ro Khanna has declared the progressive movement on the rise after similar wins, but in Utah, the moderate faction prevailed.
McAdams's victory is a boost for the Democratic establishment, which has faced challenges from the left in several primaries this cycle. Van Jones recently argued that the Democratic establishment is 'collapsing' after upsets in New York, but McAdams's win suggests the center-left still holds sway in key districts. The general election battle between McAdams and Owen will test whether his moderate appeal can translate into a win in the redrawn seat.
With the district now favoring Democrats, McAdams is well-positioned to reclaim a House seat for his party. The November contest will be closely watched as a bellwether for Democratic prospects in Republican-leaning states.
