Moderate Democrat Leads in Utah's Competitive House Primary Race

WHO:

[10:47 PM EDT] - CBS News - Liban Mohamed, a political newcomer and Utah Democratic convention winner, was a breakout star at the state’s Democratic convention, winning after five rounds of ranked choice voting.

[10:47 PM EDT] - CBS News - Former Rep. Ben McAdams, state Sen. Nate Blouin, Liban Mohamed, Michael Farrell, Republican Rep. Blake Moore, independent Sen. Bernie Sanders, U.S. Reps. Pramila Jayapal, Greg Casar, Maxwell Frost, U.S. Rep. Celeste Maloy, Phil Lyman, Trump.

[10:47 PM EDT] - CBS News - McAdams was considered the most conservative Democrat during his two years in Congress.

[10:47 PM EDT] - CBS News - Blouin was backed by independent Sen. Bernie Sanders.

WHAT:

[10:47 PM EDT] - ABC News - The Democratic primary winner is expected to be strongly favored to defeat Republican Riley Owen in the fall.

[10:47 PM EDT] - CBS News - McAdams won a competitive Democratic primary in Utah's newly drawn 1st Congressional District.

[10:47 PM EDT] - CBS News - The primary race included three progressive candidates: Blouin, Mohamed, and Farrell.

[10:47 PM EDT] - CBS News - The primary drew $4.6 million in campaign spending.

[10:47 PM EDT] - CBS News - The new district is considered a safe pickup for Democrats.

[10:47 PM EDT] - CBS News - McAdams previously described himself as pro-life and has pledged support for abortion rights in his current campaign.

WHERE:

[10:47 PM EDT] - CBS News - The new 1st Congressional District encompasses Salt Lake City and its suburbs.

[10:47 PM EDT] - ABC News - The district is part of Utah, which is described as a Republican stronghold.

WHEN:

[10:47 PM EDT] - CBS News - The primary election took place on a Tuesday.

[10:47 PM EDT] - ABC News - The general election is scheduled for November.

WHY:

[10:47 PM EDT] - ABC News - The new 1st District seat is among the few anticipated Democratic pickups following a national redistricting fight initiated by Trump to help Republicans maintain their majority in the U.S. House.

[10:47 PM EDT] - CBS News - The redistricting was a result of a lengthy legal battle, creating a Democratic-leaning district.

[10:47 PM EDT] - ABC News - The Democratic primary winner is expected to be favored to defeat Republican Riley Owen in the fall.

HOW:

[10:47 PM EDT] - ABC News - Candidates qualified for the primary ballot by gathering signatures, with McAdams having built a broad base of support.

[10:47 PM EDT] - CBS News - The Democratic primary is open, allowing any voter in the district to participate regardless of party affiliation.

[10:47 PM EDT] - ABC News - Candidates qualified for the primary ballot by gathering signatures.

(UPDATED June 24, 2026 08:08 UTC)

Liban Mohamed, a political newcomer, emerged as a standout at Utah's Democratic convention, winning after five rounds of ranked choice voting. He is now expected to be strongly favored against Republican Riley Owen in the upcoming fall election for the newly created 1st District seat, which is one of the few anticipated Democratic pickups following a national redistricting effort initiated by Trump. Candidates, including Mohamed, qualified for the primary ballot by gathering signatures, with McAdams also building a broad base of support.

--

(UPDATED June 24, 2026 04:21 UTC)

In a significant development, Ben McAdams has won a competitive Democratic primary in Utah's newly drawn 1st Congressional District, which is seen as a safe pickup for Democrats. The primary race featured three progressive candidates and drew an impressive $4.6 million in campaign spending, with McAdams previously known as the most conservative Democrat during his time in Congress. The general election is scheduled for November, where McAdams is expected to face Republican Riley Owen, bolstered by the support of independent Senator Bernie Sanders.