Ben McAdams

Utah's congressional debate season began Tuesday with a matchup between Democrat Ben McAdams and Republican Riley Owen for the state's 1st Congressional District. The debate, hosted by Salt Lake Community College and organized by the Utah Debate Commission, was broadcast by ABC4.

McAdams secured the Democratic nomination after June's primary, overcoming convention delegates' earlier backing of Liban Mohamed in a four-candidate field. He previously represented Utah's 4th District from 2019 to 2021 and has also served as Salt Lake County Mayor and a state senator. New district boundaries created a more Democratic-leaning seat in Salt Lake County, prompting a more progressive campaign approach from McAdams this cycle. Owen, 27, won his party's nomination with strong delegate support at the Republican Convention. A former White House policy analyst and Navy Reserve intelligence officer, he has also founded a defense technology startup and a wildlife conservation foundation. The race is one of several closely watched Utah contests this cycle.

Democrat Ben McAdams and Republican Riley Owen debated Tuesday at Salt Lake Community College in a contest for Utah's newly redrawn First Congressional District, hosted by the Utah Debate Commission with PBS Utah as media partner.

The race follows a lengthy redistricting fight. A Utah judge threw out the congressional map drawn by GOP state legislators, ruling it violated nonpartisan standards established by a 2018 voter-approved ballot measure. The judge instead adopted a map proposed by plaintiffs, including the League of Women Voters of Utah and Mormon Women for Ethical Government. The new First District now includes Salt Lake City, a Democratic-leaning area, making the seat more competitive than under the previous map. Current Republican incumbent Rep. Blake Moore is instead running in the newly drawn Second District.

McAdams, who represented Utah in Congress from 2019 to 2021, is seeking a return to the House. Owen, a former Trump White House staffer, would be among the chamber's youngest members if elected.