Ben McAdams
About
Ben McAdams is a Democratic candidate for U.S. House District 1 in Utah in the 2026 election. He is a former U.S. Representative for Utah's 4th Congressional District (2019–2021), former Salt Lake County Mayor (2013–2019), and former Utah State Senator for District 2 (2009–2012). A 7th-generation Utahn and attorney with degrees from the University of Utah and Columbia University, he won the Democratic primary for the redrawn District 1 on June 23, 2026, with approximately 60% of the vote.
Where they stand
Coverage
Salt Lake County election candidates make their pitch to city voters, with Council majority on the line.
Casting Call Benjamin Wood This year’s election, while important, is relatively low on drama for SLC voters. After a decade-long fight to secure voting rights through Prop 4, the new First congressional District is all but guaranteed to return once-and-future Congressman Ben McAdams to Washington ...
First Congressional District: Ben McAdams faces off against Riley Owen and three other challengers
In the 2026 race for Utah’s 1st Congressional District race, Ben McAdams is taking on Riley Owen, Jesse West, Elias Montgomery and Bobby Darvish. Read The Salt Lake Tribune’s voter guide here.
McAdams and Owen Agree on AI Guardrails in 1st District Debate
Democrat Ben McAdams and Republican Riley Owen expressed agreement on federal artificial intelligence regulation and data center water requirements during their first debate for Utah's 1st Congressional District. The debate, held on Sept. 29 at Salt Lake Community College, also addressed the Great Salt Lake and Social Security.
Ben McAdams and Riley Owen meet for CD1 debate
Rep. Ben McAdams, D-Utah and Rep. Riley Owen, R-Utah met at the Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) to debate as the Democratic and Republican candidates for the newly redrawn Congressional District 1. McAdams and Owen, the only two candidates who met the 10% polling threshold set by the Utah Debate Commission, debated several topics,...
McAdams, Owen toed a similar line but split on debt and economy in CD1 debate
The head-to-head meeting between 1st Congressional District candidates Ben McAdams andRiley Owen was an exercise in politeness and similarities. So close that voters could be forgiven for thinking the differences, at first blush, were the candidates' striped ties.
McAdams And Owen Debate Over Congressional Seat
(Salt Lake City, UT) -- Former Democratic Congressman Ben McAdams and Republican Riley Owen debated last night as they both seek to represent Utah's First Congressional District in Salt Lake City. They disagreed about gerrymandering and tariffs, but found common ground on some other issues.
Debate for Utah's newest congressional district found middle ground between moderates
Ben McAdams, a Democrat, and Riley Owen, a Republican are competing for Utah's 1st Congressional District seat in Salt Lake County. Ben McAdams, who won a crowded primary for the Democratic nomination by far, is facing Riley Owen, a Republican, naval officer and former White House staffer, to represent a new blue-leaning district in Utah.
Utah midterm elections: McAdams debates Owen
Ben McAdams and Riley Owen face off in the first debate ahead of the midterm elections. The debate is the first organized by the Utah debate commission before the general elections. Here are the details.
Utah 1st Congressional District debate found middle ground among two moderates
Ben McAdams, who won a crowded primary for the Democratic nomination by far, is facing Riley Owen, a Republican, naval officer and former White House staffer, to represent a new blue-leaning district in Utah. The two met onstage Tuesday for a debate put on by the Utah Debate Commission.
KSL Truth Test: Fact-checking debate claims in Utah's 1st Congressional District
Democrat Ben McAdams and Republican Riley Owen faced off in a debate Tuesday hosted by the Utah Debate Commission at Salt Lake Community College. Both candidates made their pitch to Utah voters ahead of Election Day on Nov. But did their claims of fact hold up to the KSL Truth Test?
McAdams-Owen square off in 1st Congressional District debate
With just over a month until Election Day, the candidates running for Utah's 1st Congressional District will meet in a debate Tuesday evening. The debate will feature Democrat Ben McAdams and Republican Riley Owen, each battling for a House seat in the first election since redistricting changed the face of Utah's political makeup.
Lots of common ground, but some big disagreements in Utah's 1st Congressional District debate
Riley Owen and Ben McAdams had a lot to agree on in the televised debate for who should represent Utah's new First Congressional District. Owen, who touted himself as a Gen Z Republican, faced McAdams, who has previously been Utah's lone Democratic congressman, in a debate Monday before a crowd of hundreds at Salt Lake Community College.
Utah's congressional debates kick off with CD1: Ben McAdams and Riley Owen
Tuesday evening, the debate is organized by the Utah Debate Commission, and Salt Lake Community College is hosting it. Former Rep. Ben McAdams qualified for the Democratic nomination following June’s primary, after the delegates at the Democratic Convention put their support behind newcomer Liban Mohamed in April.
Ben McAdams Speaks to Highland Students on Empathy and Change
Democratic Congressional Nominee Ben McAdams spoke to Highland High School students about the importance of empathy and listening. He shared personal experiences regarding homelessness and public service to encourage students to use their influence for good.
Tibetan and Nepalese communities host candlelight vigil downtown, attended by candidate Ben McAdams
Tibetan and Nepalese Utahns gathered in front of the mayor’s office on Sept. 23 to mourn the loss of life from the Nepal-Tibet border region avalanche and flood, which was triggered by a glacier collapse and 5.2 magnitude seismic tremor that occurred on Aug.
Utah Dems have 1st District strength, but polls don't see a new statewide ceiling
With Ben McAdams, Utah Democrats have a rare opening in the 1st District. But even with a favorable national landscape, analysts say statewide party gains remain an uphill climb.
GOP Incumbents Moore and Maloy Win Primary Elections
Republican incumbents Blake Moore and Celeste Maloy secured their nominations in the primary election, while former Representative Ben McAdams won the Democratic nomination for Utah's 1st Congressional District. The primary election results show a continuation of established leadership in Utah's congressional races as both GOP incumbents successfully defeated challengers.
Four Democrats to Compete in Utah's 1st District Primary
The Democratic primary for Utah's 1st Congressional District is set for June 23, 2026, featuring a field of four candidates including Nate Blouin, Ben McAdams, Liban Mohamed, and Michael Farrell. The race follows a recent court-ordered redistricting that transformed the district into a Democratic-leaning seat.
Four Candidates Set for Utah's 1st District Democratic Primary
The Democratic primary for Utah's 1st Congressional District will take place on June 23, 2026, featuring four candidates including Nate Blouin, Michael Farrell, Ben McAdams, and Liban Mohamed. The race follows a court-ordered redistricting process that created a more Democratic-leaning seat.
Liban Mohamed Advances to Democratic Primary for Utah's 1st District
Liban Mohamed advanced from the Utah Democratic convention to compete in the 2026 primary for the state's new 1st Congressional District. He faces a crowded field of Democratic candidates including Ben McAdams, Nate Blouin, and Michael Farrell.
Reader-shared links
- McAdams win could give Utah lawmakers pause on reviving redistricting fightkuer.orgAs Democrat Ben McAdams heads into November, his win is adding new political uncertainty to any effort by Republican lawmakers to ask voters to weaken the state's independent redistricting commission.
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