Ben McAdams
Won the June 23, 2026 Democratic primary with 60.2% of the vote
Ben McAdams is the Democratic nominee for Utah's open 1st Congressional District. He previously served one term in the U.S. House representing Utah's 4th District (2019-2021), was Salt Lake County Mayor, and served in the Utah State Senate. He is running on affordability, opposition to Trump administration immigration enforcement tactics, and defending democratic institutions.[2][3]
Basic profile — the most important sourced facts we found.
Key votes in Congress
- NoRaise the Wage Act — House passage · H.R. 582 · Passed 231–199 · 2019-07-18 roll call ↗Would have raised the federal minimum wage in steps from $7.25 to $15 an hour by 2025.
- YesAmerican Dream and Promise Act of 2019 — House passage · H.R. 6 · Passed 237–187 · 2019-06-04 roll call ↗Would have created a path to permanent legal status for many undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children and for certain TPS and DED holders.
- YesBipartisan Background Checks Act — House passage · H.R. 8 · Passed 240–190 · 2019-02-27 roll call ↗Would have required background checks for most firearm transfers between private parties.
On the record — official actions
- vote2019-12-18 · As a U.S. Representative (116th Congress), voted to impeach President Trump on both articles of impeachment in December 2019.[2][7][8]
- vote2019-05-17 · Voted for the Equality Act (H.R. 5), which would ban discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity; passed the House 236-173.[2][9]
- vote2020-07-22 · Voted for the Great American Outdoors Act, which permanently funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund.[2][10]
- actionAs Salt Lake County Mayor, created the Office for New Americans and launched the United for Citizenship Initiative to help permanent residents become U.S. citizens.[3]
Positions on the issues
- SupportsProtect legal access to abortion
Says decisions about abortion should be made by a woman, her doctor and the people she trusts, not politicians, and supports codifying Roe v. Wade into federal law.[3]
“Decisions about abortion should be made by a woman, her doctor, and the people she trusts, not politicians.”
- OpposesExpand immigration enforcement and deportationsFrom recorded votes
Voted yes on American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 (H.R. 6, 2019-06-04).[13]
What they say: Opposes current ICE enforcement practices, calling for a system "rooted in constitutional protections," and supports a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers and other immigrants.[3]
- OpposesBroad tariffs on imported goods
Says he opposes tariffs he attributes to the Trump administration, arguing they raise grocery and everyday costs for Utah families.[3]
- SupportsFaster transition away from fossil fuels
Calls climate change "an existential threat" and supports expanding clean energy and modernizing the electrical grid.[3]
- SupportsLoosen zoning rules to build more housing
Says he will work to increase housing supply and cut red tape that drives up housing costs.[3]
- SupportsStricter gun lawsFrom recorded votes
Voted yes on Bipartisan Background Checks Act (H.R. 8, 2019-02-27).[11]
- OpposesRaise the minimum wageFrom recorded votes
Voted no on Raise the Wage Act (H.R. 582, 2019-07-18).[12]
In their words — priorities
- Lowering costs for working families: opposes tariffs he says are driving up grocery and everyday prices, wants to expand affordable housing supply, and lower health care costs.[3]
- Says he will oppose what he describes as ICE's "lawless and dangerous raids" and work to "dismantle the current enforcement model that relies on fear and indiscriminate raids."[3]
- Defending democracy and the rule of law, including opposing what he calls the weaponization of the Justice Department, and protecting public lands including the Great Salt Lake.[3]
Background
- Earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Utah (2000) and a law degree from Columbia Law School (2003).[2]
- Served in the Utah State Senate representing District 2 (2010-2012) and was elected Salt Lake County Mayor, serving two terms (2013-2019).[2]
- Represented Utah's 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House (2019-2021), sitting on the Committee on Financial Services and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology; lost re-election to Burgess Owens in 2020.[2]
- After leaving Congress, worked as CEO of Propvizer and the Common Ground Institute, and as a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and Sorenson Impact.[2]
Campaign money
Raised $2.3M · spent $2.0M · $299K cash on hand (through 2026-06-30) FEC filing ↗