Centrist Democrats see a rare opportunity in Utah House race
Former Congressman Ben McAdams, who achieved a remarkable victory for a Democrat in Utah, is already garnering support from a prominent national political action committee as the state’s new political boundaries present an unexpected opportunity to secure a seat in the traditionally conservative state.
Welcome PAC, which advocates for more moderate candidates over progressives, is endorsing McAdams for what is anticipated to be a newly established district, as indicated in an email obtained by POLITICO. The fundraising email, set to be circulated to Democrats nationwide, emphasizes McAdams’ previous success and labels him as a “superstar” in the political arena.
The email outlines a potential race that could aid Democrats in their quest to regain control of the House during the upcoming midterms. This endeavor has been complicated by a nationwide redistricting battle triggered by former President Donald Trump’s efforts to influence Texas’ congressional boundaries.
Utah is poised to potentially gain one or two seats under the revised district lines, which were already in flux before Trump’s intervention in Texas. The court-mandated map in Utah offers Democrats a more favorable chance of victory, with redrawn districts showing a considerably narrower margin compared to previous federal races.
In 2018, McAdams managed to defeat the late Rep. Mia Love, who had previously won the district by a significant margin. Although he narrowly lost to Republican Burgess Owens in 2020, McAdams has not officially launched a campaign but has taken the initial step by filing a statement of candidacy with the FEC to commence fundraising activities.
Welcome PAC, co-founded by Liam Kerr, views McAdams as a formidable candidate and is actively encouraging supporters to contribute to his campaign once officially announced. Other potential contenders in the primary race include Caroline Gleich, state Senators Kathleen Riebe and Nate Blouin, and former Senate candidate Kael Weston.
Since Trump’s reelection, Welcome PAC has been influential in center-left politics, hosting events like WelcomeFest and issuing reports on Democratic party strategies. McAdams’ background in Congress as part of the Blue Dogs and New Democrats caucuses, coupled with his tenure as mayor of Salt Lake County, positions him as a strong contender in the upcoming race.
The final congressional map for Utah is pending approval by a district judge, with a deadline set for November 10 to implement changes for the 2026 elections. Despite the uncertainties, Democrats in Utah are gearing up for a significant opportunity to secure a congressional seat and are poised to capitalize on the momentum for a successful campaign.
