State Sen. Kathleen Riebe is stepping aside in Utah's newly drawn 1st Congressional District, throwing her support behind former Rep. Ben McAdams after concluding she could not raise the cash needed to stay competitive in the Democratic primary.
Riebe Bows Out And Rallies Behind McAdams
Riebe broke the news Saturday at the Salt Lake County Democratic Party convention, telling delegates she was ending her bid and urging them to unite behind McAdams. She praised him as a "statesman" and drew a contrast with what she called a "loose cannon," while explaining that her campaign simply could not bring in the money required to contend. Her remarks were reported by The Salt Lake Tribune.
Fundraising Gap Gives McAdams The Edge
The numbers back up Riebe's calculation. At the end of 2025, McAdams reported roughly $955,730 raised and about $764,711 cash on hand. Riebe, by contrast, brought in $27,450 in the fourth quarter and reported $9,057 cash on hand, according to a Deseret News review of Federal Election Commission filings.
That kind of fundraising gap has given McAdams a very visible edge as Democrats head into convention season and brace for a likely primary fight.
Polls, Process And What Comes Next
Money is not the only factor blocking McAdams' way. A Data for Progress poll released in late March put him at 36% among likely Democratic primary voters, with Nate Blouin at 23% and Riebe trailing the field, according to Utah Political Watch.
Salt Lake County Democrats gathered Saturday at Highland High School for their nominating convention, where delegates decide which candidates advance. The Utah Democratic state convention is scheduled for April 25 at Jordan High School, per the Utah Democratic Party.
With Riebe out, the field is thinner, and the momentum, along with much of the local organizing muscle, shifts toward McAdams as Democrats map out a strategy for trying to flip the seat.
Riebe, who remains in the Utah Senate, first launched her congressional campaign last November, running on lowering costs and protecting public education, according to earlier reporting in the Deseret News. Her decision to step aside is likely to speed up efforts by moderates to consolidate support ahead of the April conventions and the primary.
