One of Utah’s hottest Democratic races shows how far left voters are willing to go • Utah News Dispatch
Primary results for the 1st Congressional District also measured the energy around new maps
Congressional candidate Ben McAdams speaks with reporters at his campaign’s primary election watch party in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (Photo by Marco Lozzi for Utah News Dispatch)
The primary race for Utah’s 1st Congressional District sparked unprecedented energy among Democrats with a new blue-leaning district and a crowded race. The results may reflect how further left Utah Democrats are willing to go.
Ben McAdams, who during his time representing Utah in the U.S. House was labeled one of the most conservative Democrats in the chamber, is poised to win by far the party’s spot on the ballot for the district. Even adding up all the votes for his challengers, who ran on more progressive platforms, McAdams would have secured his victory with 52% of votes.
However, pundits say, in deep red Utah, there’s a little nuance to those numbers, and that’s because Democratic primaries are op…