UT-01: Congressional race is energizing Utah Democrats ahead of state convention, but chaos keeps emerging

After a tumultuous redistricting process that left the 1st Congressional District on a likely path to turn blue, Utah Democrats are set to convene in their statewide convention this weekend amid a chaotic race.

State Democrats, who haven’t been in the U.S. House roster since Ben McAdams’ end of term in 2021, are especially energized this year ahead of the delegates’ vote Saturday afternoon. Organizers expect between 2,000 to 2,500 people to show up, the largest convention since the COVID-19 pandemic, Jade Velazquez, executive director of the Utah Democratic Party said.

“The vibes are really strong, and we have the metrics to back it up. So for the first time in at least 10 years, we have over 200 candidates that are running across the state. We’re contesting over 90% of the top races,” Velazquez said. That’s up from the 52% and 54% the party saw in 2022 and 2024.

With a new court-ordered congressional map born out of a yearslong anti-gerrymandering lawsuit, the state’s 1st Congressional District is now a compact area around northern Salt Lake County, which leans Democratic. It’s a major shakeup for Republicans, who have occupied all federal offices in recent years. And it has led to a particularly crowded race among Democrats in CD1.



https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/04/24/new-congressional-district-energizing-utah-democrats-state-convention/