Compare candidates running in this Utah federal race. Review their positions, voting records, campaign promises, and donor information.
Party: Republican
Party: Republican
Party: Republican
Party: Democrat
Party: Democrat
Party: Democrat
Party: Democrat
Party: Democrat
Party: Democrat
Party: Democrat
This newly redrawn district centered on Salt Lake County represents Democrats' first competitive opportunity in Utah in 25 years, with the court-ordered map shifting the district 24 points toward Democrats since 2024 presidential results. The seat is now considered a likely Democratic flip and critical for national House control, as Democrats need only 3 additional seats to reclaim the majority.
David Robinson is a Republican candidate who formerly served as a volunteer Salt Lake County Republican Party communications director. He is a mediator and community activist. His campaign website highlights advocacy in water policy and property rights.
Stoney Fonua is a Republican candidate who has previously run in several congressional and legislative races. Limited public information available about his background and platform. He does not maintain a current campaign website.
Riley Owen is a 27-year-old Republican candidate and Salt Lake City resident working as an intelligence officer in the Navy Reserve and CEO of Doers Network. He is a White House staffer alumnus who worked on trade and manufacturing policy, covering topics including drones, critical minerals, shipbuilding, and semiconductors. He graduated from Princeton University and earned a master's degree in public policy from the University of Oxford. He is a sixth-generation Utah resident and ski enthusiast. Owen's campaign targets Gen Z voters and emphasizes reform, anti-corruption, and addressing career politicians.
Luis Villarreal is a 26-year-old software engineer and self-described 'working-class progressive' from a Mexican immigrant family. Born at University of Utah Hospital and raised in Salt Lake City, he earned his associate degree in computer engineering from Salt Lake Community College and a certificate in full-stack web development from University of Utah. His father has worked in the Carpenters Union for as long as Villarreal can remember; his mother worked multiple jobs to support the family. Villarreal studied political science independently because he believes understanding policy is crucial. He represents the youngest demographic in the Democratic primary field and is running a grassroots campaign focused on working-class representation.
Liban Mohamed is a 27-year-old son of Somali immigrants, born in Logan and raised in Ogden, Utah. He recently worked on TikTok's public policy team managing the company's response to political investigations. Previously, he worked for Meta on data center sustainability policies and as a government relations director at the American Heart Association in Utah. Mohamed represents a new generation of diverse leadership in Utah politics. His 2026 campaign announcement received hate speech and calls for deportation (despite being a U.S. citizen), highlighting the anti-immigrant sentiment he's campaigning against.
Eva Lopez Chavez is a Salt Lake City Council member representing District 4 since 2025 and a project manager focused on housing and real solutions. The eldest daughter of a working-class Mexican immigrant family, she has built a career on action rather than talk. Described as bringing Western grit to democratic representation with a track record of delivering tangible results. She is positioning herself as representing 'next generation of leadership' focused on housing, reproductive rights, and environmental stewardship.
Michael Farrell is a tax attorney with 12 years of experience in private practice in Salt Lake City, Washington D.C., Switzerland, and Texas. He holds degrees in economics and law. Farrell is positioning himself as a progressive outsider focused on grassroots organizing rather than traditional politics or special interest fundraising. He has held listening sessions with constituents to ensure campaign promises reflect real constituent needs. His campaign is rooted in his professional experience with the financial system and frustration at seeing working-class families lose ground economically.
Kathleen Riebe is an educator and two-term Utah State Senator representing District 15 since 2019. Born in Long Island, New York, she graduated from Hofstra University in 1991 with a double major in Elementary Education and Sociology. Before entering politics, she worked as a truck driver, bartender, Alta police dispatcher, and outdoor education teacher in multiple states. On the Utah State Board of Education (2017-2018), she championed education funding and student health initiatives. In the state Senate, she has fought for funding for search and rescue teams and expanded resources for high-need schools. She was the first Democrat to announce for the 1st District seat and ran unsuccessfully for the 2nd District in a 2023 special election.
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.
Nate Blouin is a progressive state senator representing Utah's 13th Senate District since 2023. Born in Concord, New Hampshire, he holds degrees from Salt Lake Community College, University of Utah, and Brown University (MPA). Before entering politics, he worked as a renewable energy advocate and policy consultant. In the state Senate, he has positioned himself as one of the most outspoken progressive voices, advocating for clean energy, better air quality, and affordable housing. Despite being called a 'punk' for his confrontational style with Republican leaders, Blouin argues this aggressive approach is what Utah voters are seeking.
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By not attending March 9, 2026 town hall, they showed they 'don't care enough to respond to these issues'
Lopez Chavez noted their absence indicated they hadn't prioritized constituent engagement as much as attending candidates
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McAdams questioning why Riebe needs to run against him rather than supporting established candidate
McAdams positioning himself as proven winner vs. Riebe as less experienced candidate
McAdams has tendency to support independents over Democrats; voters want a strong Democrat, not someone with McAdams' voting record
Riebe highlighting McAdams' 2022 backing of independent Evan McMullin and his 2019 vote for different House speaker
McAdams wants to 'play nice' with Republicans; voters want progressive fighter
Blouin distinguishing himself as non-collaborative fighter versus McAdams' bipartisan approach
McAdams positioning himself as the 'establishment' choice against Blouin's progressive insurgency
McAdams raised more money early (Q1 2026: $580,000 raised vs Blouin's $300,000) and received Super PAC support, creating dynamic where Blouin is the grassroots challenger
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