State Lawmaker Announces Bid To Unseat Democrat Ben McAdams
Aug 22, 2019, 5:39 AM | Updated: Jun 8, 2022, 5:03 pm
Sen. Dan Hemmert, R-Orem, speaks at a Recruit Romney press conference in the Capitol rotunda in Salt Lake City on Monday, Nov. 13, 2017. On Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2019, Hemmert announced he’s running for Congress in the 4th District. (Photo: Deseret News)
(Photo: Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Utah state lawmaker is the latest Republican to announce a challenge to Democratic Congressman Ben McAdams, who won a razor-thin race last year.
Utah Senate Majority Whip Dan Hemmert on Wednesday said he wants to represent conservative, free-market values against a growing interest in socialism among left-leaning Democrats.
McAdams is part of a moderate group known as the Blue Dog coalition.
Hemmert owns a chain of dry-cleaning businesses and was first elected to the Utah Legislature in 2016. He joined the ranks of leadership last year.
McAdams won the seat in the Republican-leaning 4th District by less than 800 votes. His opponent, two-term Congresswoman Mia Love, has not ruled out a rematch.
Other challengers include former county GOP secretary Kathleen Anderson, former KSL NewsRadio personality Jay McFarland and military veteran John Molnar.
