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State Lawmaker Announces Bid To Unseat Democrat Ben McAdams

via Elect Dan Hemmert

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.