How Dems Ran 2026

Ben McAdams

UT-01

Attacked tax breaks and handouts for Big Tech and data centers

Politicians talk about saving the Great Salt Lake but still hand tax breaks to developers and water-intensive data centers in the Great Salt Lake watershed. I’ll demand that public subsidies come with accountability, invest in conservation and make sure Utah’s growth doesn’t come at the expense of our future water supply.Salt Lake Tribune candidate questionnaire, October 12, 2026

Supported stronger oversight of data-center development

Politicians talk about saving the Great Salt Lake but still hand tax breaks to developers and water-intensive data centers in the Great Salt Lake watershed. I’ll demand that public subsidies come with accountability, invest in conservation and make sure Utah’s growth doesn’t come at the expense of our future water supply.Salt Lake Tribune candidate questionnaire, October 12, 2026

Enforceable water, energy, and community protections

Politicians talk about saving the Great Salt Lake but still hand tax breaks to developers and water-intensive data centers in the Great Salt Lake watershed. I’ll demand that public subsidies come with accountability, invest in conservation and make sure Utah’s growth doesn’t come at the expense of our future water supply.Salt Lake Tribune candidate questionnaire, October 12, 2026

Supported reining in or regulating Big Tech and AI companies

What we need are federal standards to make sure that when, as the economy is transformed, that the American people are the ones who benefit, not tech billionaires, tech moguls, foreign powers, but the American people are benefited through that.Utah Democratic primary debate, May 27, 2026
Ultimately, the United States will need a clear national framework for AI governance — one that protects safety, privacy and transparency while still encouraging innovation.Deseret News op-ed on the campaign website, March 26, 2026

Called for big structural changes that expand public coverage or Medicare benefits: Medicare for All, a public option, a Medicare buy-in, lowering the Medicare age such as Medicare at 55, or dental, vision, and/or hearing in Medicare

I support universal coverage, and I believe the best way to get there is through a public option that allow people to choose the healthcare that's best for them, and build a coalition that can actually get that done.PBS, May 27, 2026

Called to reverse the cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, or ACA coverage

Restore the health coverage Congress cut, so the next Jack doesn’t have to ration his medicine, and protect Medicaid from the next round of cuts.Salt Lake Tribune op-ed, October 13, 2026
There’s a direct linkage between the cuts that hurt everyday families — SNAP and Medicare and ending healthcare subsidies — and handouts to billionaires and corporations,” he said. “It’s easy to just reverse that.Deseret News report on a news conference, September 17, 2026

Called for lowering prescription-drug prices

I’ll fight to lower health care costs by protecting coverage, reducing prescription drug prices, and standing up to policies that put insurance company profits ahead of patients.Campaign website, lowering costs page (undated)

Called for restoring ACA subsidies

I'll do it again by fighting to end tariff-driven price hikes, lower housing and health care costs, restore ACA subsidies, protect Medicaid, and build an economy where Utah families — not the wealthy and well-connected — come first.Axios, June 4, 2026

Creating a public option

I support universal coverage, and I believe the best way to get there is through a public option that allow people to choose the healthcare that's best for them, and build a coalition that can actually get that done.PBS, May 27, 2026

Called for higher taxes on billionaires and the wealthy

We must, I think, reverse the tax cuts for billionaires in Trump's so-called Big Beautiful Bill that gave enormous tax cuts for billionaires and passed it on to working people in the form of cuts to SNAP and ACA benefits. We must address this for the people who are really hurting.Utah Democratic primary debate, May 27, 2026
There’s a direct linkage between the cuts that hurt everyday families — SNAP and Medicare and ending healthcare subsidies — and handouts to billionaires and corporations,” he said. “It’s easy to just reverse that.Deseret News report on a news conference, September 17, 2026
First of all, it would be rolling back the tax cuts for billionaires and corporations that passed in the Big Beautiful Bill,Utah 1st District general election debate, September 29, 2026

Called for corporations to pay more in taxes

First of all, it would be rolling back the tax cuts for billionaires and corporations that passed in the Big Beautiful Bill,Utah 1st District general election debate, September 29, 2026

Called for stronger competition and limits on monopoly power

I’ll take on the anti-competitive practices that inflate groceries, gas and health care.Salt Lake Tribune candidate questionnaire, October 12, 2026

Called for campaign-finance reform to reduce big money's influence

I support ending Citizens United, overturning Citizens United.Utah Debate Commission general-election debate
Getting big, dark, and foreign money out of our politics and empowering small donorsJoint candidate letter (Defend the Vote), October 26, 2026

Called to overturn Citizens United

I support ending Citizens United, overturning Citizens United.Utah Debate Commission general-election debate

Called for banning stock trading by members of Congress

I’ll also back a ban on stock trading by members of Congress and their families and stop officials from selling access to market-moving government information.Salt Lake Tribune candidate questionnaire, October 12, 2026
And ban members of Congress from trading individual stocks, because you shouldn’t have to wonder whose interests your representative is serving.Salt Lake Tribune op-ed, October 13, 2026

Supported stronger conflict-of-interest and ethics rules

I’ll also back a ban on stock trading by members of Congress and their families and stop officials from selling access to market-moving government information.Salt Lake Tribune candidate questionnaire, October 12, 2026

Called out Trump's corruption, self-dealing, or profiting from office

I will always stand up to Trump’s corruption, oppose the weaponization of the Justice Department, and restore American leadership abroad.Campaign website, democracy page (undated)

Reforming the Supreme Court

requiring an ethical code of conduct for the US Supreme CourtJoint candidate letter (Defend the Vote), October 26, 2026
I'll fight to restore that standard here and push for Supreme Court term limits and a binding ethics code federally.Salt Lake Tribune candidate questionnaire
Signed the October 26, 2026 joint letter calling for a Supreme Court ethics code. Require an ethical code of conduct for the US Supreme Court.Joint candidate letter (Defend the Vote), October 26, 2026

Setting Supreme Court term limits

I'll fight to restore that standard here and push for Supreme Court term limits and a binding ethics code federally.Salt Lake Tribune candidate questionnaire

Called for a Supreme Court ethics code or enforceable ethics rules

Signed the October 26, 2026 joint letter calling for a Supreme Court ethics code. Require an ethical code of conduct for the US Supreme Court.Joint candidate letter (Defend the Vote), October 26, 2026

Called for reversing tariffs that raise household costs

I'll do it again by fighting to end tariff-driven price hikes, lower housing and health care costs, restore ACA subsidies, protect Medicaid, and build an economy where Utah families — not the wealthy and well-connected — come first.Axios, June 4, 2026
And I’ll stand up to Trump to end his illegal war in Iran and the tariffs driving up costs for Utah families.Salt Lake Tribune candidate questionnaire, October 12, 2026
Make Congress take back its power over tariffs, so families stop paying for them at the register.Salt Lake Tribune op-ed, October 13, 2026

Called for stopping price gouging

I’ll take on the anti-competitive practices that inflate groceries, gas and health care.Salt Lake Tribune candidate questionnaire, October 12, 2026

Blamed high gas and fuel prices on the Iran war, tariffs, or oil companies

Trump started a trade war and an illegal war in Iran," McAdams told reporters recently. "Gas prices went up 50% because of it.The Salt Lake Tribune, October 26, 2026

Supported stronger union organizing and collective-bargaining rights

I was proud to fight for legislation that protects the rights of federal workers and am proud to fight for workers’ right to organize.Written statement: Instagram post, June 9, 2026
I will always stand for union rights and the working people who strengthen them.Post on X, April 22, 2026

Called for high earners to contribute more to Social Security

We should address the program’s long-term finances responsibly by asking the wealthiest Americans to contribute their fair share while protecting benefits for middle-class retirees.Campaign website, op-ed on Social Security, March 16, 2026
The 'scrap the cap' concept would reimpose a Social Security paycheck at income above $350,000, and this proposal, that was supported by President Biden – what it would do, it would stabilize the Social Security trust fund through the year 2091. This is an easy solution. We just have to have the courage to do it.Debate, quoted in KSL, September 29, 2026

Opposed benefit cuts

I will oppose efforts to privatize the program, cut benefits, or push the retirement age further out for working families.Campaign website, op-ed on Social Security, March 16, 2026

Eliminating the payroll-tax cap

The 'scrap the cap' concept would reimpose a Social Security paycheck at income above $350,000, and this proposal, that was supported by President Biden – what it would do, it would stabilize the Social Security trust fund through the year 2091. This is an easy solution. We just have to have the courage to do it.Debate, quoted in KSL, September 29, 2026

Called for making housing more affordable

I'll do it again by fighting to end tariff-driven price hikes, lower housing and health care costs, restore ACA subsidies, protect Medicaid, and build an economy where Utah families — not the wealthy and well-connected — come first.Axios, June 4, 2026
I’ll cut needless barriers, put underused public land to work for housing and expand paths to homeownership.Salt Lake Tribune candidate questionnaire, October 12, 2026
I’ll work to bring down the cost of housing, expand opportunities for first time homebuyers, increase housing supply, cut red tape that drives up costs, and support policies that help working families afford a safe place to live.Campaign website, lowering costs page (undated)
Give buyers earning an average salary a real path to a first home and fight for affordable rent that a full-time paycheck can cover.Salt Lake Tribune op-ed, October 13, 2026

Homeownership assistance

I’ll cut needless barriers, put underused public land to work for housing and expand paths to homeownership.Salt Lake Tribune candidate questionnaire, October 12, 2026
I’ll work to bring down the cost of housing, expand opportunities for first time homebuyers, increase housing supply, cut red tape that drives up costs, and support policies that help working families afford a safe place to live.Campaign website, lowering costs page (undated)
Give buyers earning an average salary a real path to a first home and fight for affordable rent that a full-time paycheck can cover.Salt Lake Tribune op-ed, October 13, 2026

Called out Wall Street, big banks, or private equity

I want first-time homebuyers that are earning an average salary to have a pathway to homeownership, not hedge funds that can outbid them every time before the listing's even public.Instagram reel, September 17, 2026

Supported protecting or expanding abortion access

I support codifying Roe into federal law to ensure women's health decisions are protected nationwide.Campaign platform

Restoring nationwide abortion rights

I support codifying Roe into federal law to ensure women’s health decisions are protected nationwide.Campaign website, human rights page (undated)

Putting abortion rights into federal law

I support codifying Roe into federal law to ensure women’s health decisions are protected nationwide.Campaign website, human rights page (undated)

Restoring Roe's protections

I support codifying Roe into federal law to ensure women’s health decisions are protected nationwide.Campaign website, human rights page (undated)

Expanding clean energy

I support expanding clean energy, modernizing the electrical grid, and investing in transportation infrastructure that creates jobs and secures our energy future.Campaign website, environment page (undated)

Reducing climate pollution

I will work in Congress to curb greenhouse gas emissions and address the many other environmental crises facing our state so that our kids can breathe clean air, enjoy nature, and inherit a prosperous future.Campaign website, environment page (undated)

Supported stronger rights and safeguards in immigration enforcement

Before a bill comes before the House of Representatives again, it must include meaningful reforms to ICE’s conduct, including their immediate removal from Minneapolis; mandate that ICE focus on real threats to public safety; clear training, vetting, and accountability standards; banning the use of masks and requiring body cameras; an end to warrantless arrests; and independent and transparent investigations into Alex Pretti and Renee Good’s deaths.Campaign press release, January 26, 2026
I will work to dismantle the current enforcement model that relies on fear and indiscriminate raids, replace it with a system rooted in constitutional protections, and refocus federal resources on genuine public safety threats.Campaign website, democracy page (undated)
This detention center will be a scar on the face of Utah, and we must stop it. But it doesn’t stop there. We also must get ICE out of our American cities. We must hold ICE accountable, of course. That starts with things like body cams, removing the masks, requiring warrants, requiring due process, but that is the bare minimum,Utah Democratic primary debate, May 27, 2026
We must protect TPS recipients, safeguard due process, and ensure that no child grows up in fear of losing their parents to unjust deportation.Campaign website, human rights page (undated)

Due-process protections

Before a bill comes before the House of Representatives again, it must include meaningful reforms to ICE’s conduct, including their immediate removal from Minneapolis; mandate that ICE focus on real threats to public safety; clear training, vetting, and accountability standards; banning the use of masks and requiring body cameras; an end to warrantless arrests; and independent and transparent investigations into Alex Pretti and Renee Good’s deaths.Campaign press release, January 26, 2026
This detention center will be a scar on the face of Utah, and we must stop it. But it doesn’t stop there. We also must get ICE out of our American cities. We must hold ICE accountable, of course. That starts with things like body cams, removing the masks, requiring warrants, requiring due process, but that is the bare minimum,Utah Democratic primary debate, May 27, 2026
We must protect TPS recipients, safeguard due process, and ensure that no child grows up in fear of losing their parents to unjust deportation.Campaign website, human rights page (undated)

Stronger enforcement accountability

Before a bill comes before the House of Representatives again, it must include meaningful reforms to ICE’s conduct, including their immediate removal from Minneapolis; mandate that ICE focus on real threats to public safety; clear training, vetting, and accountability standards; banning the use of masks and requiring body cameras; an end to warrantless arrests; and independent and transparent investigations into Alex Pretti and Renee Good’s deaths.Campaign press release, January 26, 2026
This detention center will be a scar on the face of Utah, and we must stop it. But it doesn’t stop there. We also must get ICE out of our American cities. We must hold ICE accountable, of course. That starts with things like body cams, removing the masks, requiring warrants, requiring due process, but that is the bare minimum,Utah Democratic primary debate, May 27, 2026

Supporting a path to citizenship

I support permanently protecting Dreamers, expanding access to legal status, defending asylum protections, and ending policies that criminalize families seeking safety. Immigration reform must center human rights, keep families together, and create a clear, achievable pathway to citizenship.Campaign website, human rights page (undated)

Supported stronger checks on executive power

I will always stand up to Trump’s corruption, oppose the weaponization of the Justice Department, and restore American leadership abroad.Campaign website, democracy page (undated)
When Donald Trump is doing actions that violate the Constitution ... I will be a check on his power.Axios, June 25, 2026
I will defend the rule of law and fight to make the justice department independent, fair, and focused on upholding the rule of law—not targeting political opponents.Campaign website, democracy page (undated)

Banning partisan gerrymandering

Ending partisan gerrymanderingJoint candidate letter (Defend the Vote), October 26, 2026
And here in Utah, we must defend Prop 4 and the fair maps voters fought for.Campaign post

Supported strengthening voting rights

protecting the right to voteJoint candidate letter (Defend the Vote), October 26, 2026
Congress must pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.Campaign post

Opposed war with Iran or called for ending it

And I’ll stand up to Trump to end his illegal war in Iran and the tariffs driving up costs for Utah families.Salt Lake Tribune candidate questionnaire, October 12, 2026

Supported requiring congressional authorization for military action

I support the Khanna-Massie War Powers Resolution requiring the President to get congressional approval before taking further military action in Iran. The Constitution is clear: the power to declare war rests with Congress.Post on X, March 4, 2026

Called for a specific diplomatic step or civilian protections

We should stand firmly with peaceful protesters and demand accountability for repression, including the release of political prisoners, an end to executions, and transparency about the violence inflicted on civilians. Supporting the Iranian people's right to determine their own future must remain a priority of American foreign policy.Campaign post