A former U.S. congressman and a former Trump White House staffer will participate in a debate in Utah on Tuesday as voters in the state's newly drawn First Congressional District consider their choice for the U.S. House. The debate is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. EDT and will be available for live viewing through the Utah Debate Commission and PBS Utah.
Democrat Ben McAdams and Republican Riley Owen will face off at Salt Lake Community College, with the event hosted by the Utah Debate Commission. PBS Utah is serving as a media partner for the debate.
This debate follows a legal battle over redistricting in Utah, where a judge ruled against a map drawn by GOP state legislators in November, stating it did not comply with a 2018 ballot measure that established nonpartisan standards for congressional district mapping. The judge selected a map proposed by the plaintiffs, which included the League of Women Voters of Utah and Mormon Women for Ethical Government. This new map incorporates Salt Lake City, an area that has been trending Democratic. The current incumbent, Republican Rep. Blake Moore, is campaigning for the newly drawn Second Congressional District.
Owen, who has worked in the Trump administration, would be among the youngest members of Congress if elected. McAdams previously served as a U.S. Representative for Utah from 2019 to 2021.