politics
Utah Redistricting Creates One Democratic-Leaning District and Leaves Three Others Unchanged
A mid-decade redraw produced a district rated 12 points Democratic that includes Salt Lake City. Four candidates remain in the Democratic primary for the November general election.
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Utah's four congressional districts were redrawn in a mid-decade process that stemmed from a years-long legal battle over partisan gerrymandering and had no connection to President Trump. The new 1st Congressional District now contains Salt Lake City and surrounding Democratic-leaning suburbs.
Cook Political Report rates the district as 12 points Democratic, marking the first safe Democratic seat in the state in modern history.
NPR reported that the change gives Utah Democrats their strongest opportunity in decades to win a House seat. Four candidates remain in the Democratic primary: former Rep. Ben McAdams, state Sen. Nate Blouin, Liban Mohamed, and tax attorney Michael Farrell.
Liban Mohamed received more than 51 percent of the delegates at the Utah Democratic Party nominating convention in April. A candidate event for the race was held in Taylorsville on March 21. Utah state Sen.
"Democrats are the odds on favorites to win this district. The question has shifted from can a Democrat win to the question of which Democrat will win," said Damon Cann, professor of political science at Utah State University.
Brian King, chair of the Utah Democratic Party, said the seat could help Democrats regain control of the House. The primary will select the Democratic nominee for the November general election.
