Ben McAdams — Candidate Profile

Party: Democrat

Running in: Utah House District 1 Race

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Ben McAdams

DemocratUtah House District 1
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Summary

Benjamin Michael McAdams is a 51-year-old attorney and the most recent Democrat to represent Utah in Congress, serving from 2019-2021 in the 4th District. He previously served as Salt Lake County Mayor (2013-2019) and in the Utah State Senate (2009-2012). Raised by a single mother who was a school teacher, McAdams grew up in Bountiful. He is a member of the LDS Church and served a mission to Brazil in the mid-1990s. As one of the only Democrats to ever win statewide office in Utah, McAdams represents a more moderate approach to Democratic politics in the state, known for bipartisan collaboration and pragmatism.

Background

McAdams grew up in Bountiful raised by a single mother who was a school teacher. He is a political science and business degree holder (specific schools not detailed in sources). He has extensive experience in Utah politics as state senator, Salt Lake County Mayor, and U.S. Representative. His most recent experience before 2026 run was 2022-2025 private life after losing reelection in 2020 to Burgess Owens.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia - Ben McAdams
  2. Deseret News - 'Former Rep. Ben McAdams leads the pack in fundraising'
  3. Axios Salt Lake City - 'Ben McAdams launches Utah 1st District campaign'
  4. Utah News Dispatch - 'Utah's last Democrat in Congress, Ben McAdams, is running again'