Two weeks out: Outside money is flooding Utah's primaries, and that's not even the most alarming thing

Two weeks out: Outside money is flooding Utah's primaries, and that's not even the most alarming thing

With just two weeks to go until Utah's June 23 primary elections, Bryan Schott breaks down the $2.8 million in outside spending flooding Utah's congressional races, flags which incumbents are actually in danger, and explains the alarming background of Utah County's newly appointed deputy elections director.

Ben McAdams makes his case

Utah 1st Congressional District Democratic candidate Ben McAdams joins Utah Political Watch for a wide-ranging interview ahead of the June 23 primary election. McAdams, a former state senator, Salt Lake County Mayor, and one-term congressman, makes his case for why his track record on delivering results sets him apart from his three primary opponents. We discuss his take on finishing second at the state Democratic convention, the tension between his centrist brand and a more progressive primary base, his financial disclosure showing ownership stakes in AI data center companies, his opposition to the Stratos data center in Box Elder County, how he'd approach oversight of the Trump administration, and the issues he says have been ignored under Utah's previous gerrymandered congressional map, including the proposed ICE detention center on Salt Lake City's west side. For more coverage of Utah politics, subscribe at UtahPolitics.news [https://utahpolitics.news].

Stuart Adams is Panicking

Ballots hit Utah mailboxes this week, and Senate President Stuart Adams immediately sent a letter demanding Kevin O'Leary shrink the controversial Stratos data center project by 75%, the same project Adams approved as MIDA chairman. We break down why that's a panic move, not a policy move, and what it says about his primary election chances. Nate Blouin dropped his internal poll in the CD1 Democratic primary. We dig into the top-line numbers and the internals, and explain why the race is still wide open despite McAdams leading at 37%. A shadowy new super PAC running AI attack ads against Blake Moore traces back to the home address of Senator Mike Lee's top political strategist, who wouldn't deny being involved. Plus: Which debate moderator actually did his job? (Hint: it's not a journalist).

CD1 Candidate Michael Farrell: Ban Data Centers, Tax the Rich, and Don't Run on Vibes

Michael Farrell, a Salt Lake City tax attorney and progressive Democrat running in Utah's newly redrawn 1st Congressional District, joins the show to make his case for why he's the right candidate in a crowded Democratic primary. Farrell discusses his personal motivation for running — his mother's terminal illness and $150,000 hospital bill in 2009 — and why he's focused on detailed policy proposals rather than progressive branding.  He breaks down his approach to taxing the wealthy (closing loopholes, new rates on multimillionaires and billionaires), his support for a complete ban on data centers in water-stressed areas like Utah, and how he plans to build bipartisan coalitions while holding firm on core progressive values.

Nate Blouin is not playing it safe

Utah State Senator Nate Blouin sits down with Utah Political Watch to make his case for the Democratic nomination in Utah's 1st Congressional District. In a wide-ranging conversation, Blouin explains his "top vs. bottom" theory of the race, his pledge to drop out if a campaign-commissioned poll shows him trailing fellow progressives Liban Mohammed or Michael Farrell, and why he thinks he's the only candidate built to beat Ben McAdams.  We also dig into the Stratos data center fight in Box Elder County, his legislative record in a Republican supermajority, the challenges of winning a general election as a progressive in a district where Democrats make up just a quarter of registered voters, and what the redrawn congressional map means for Utah.