With control of the House on the line, a redrawn district in Utah has presented Democrats with a rare opportunity to pick up a seat.
Next week’s Democratic primary in the blue-leaning 1st District has become a proving ground for the party’s progressive wing, represented by state Sen. Nate Blouin, tax attorney Michael Farrell and tech policy expert Liban Mohamed. Former Rep. Ben McAdams, who is leading in most public polls, occupies the center lane in the race for the Salt Lake City-anchored seat.
But the June 23 primaries in the Beehive State will also test what kind of Republican nominees voters in a pair of reconfigured deep-red districts are seeking.
“Each of these races tells a different story about the state of politics in Utah,’’ said Renae Cowley, a Republican lobbyist.
Utah’s new map — selected by a state judge last fall after rejecting a proposal approved by GOP state legislators — has reshaped all four of the state’s congressional districts. Republican freshman Mike Kennedy, who currently represents the 3rd District, toggled to the new 4th after the current occupant of that seat, Republican Burgess Owens, opted to retire.
