Ben McAdams

Why I'm Running

I’m running because we can’t wait for someone else to fix what’s broken — not tomorrow, not after the next election, but today. Too many families are working harder than ever and still falling behind while politics rewards power instead of people. I’ve never been one to stand on the sidelines, and I’m ready to fight — with courage and conviction — to make our system work for all of us again.

Meet Ben McAdams

Ben McAdams has always and will always stand up for Utah.

Ben is a 7th-generation Utahn and grew up in West Bountiful, raised by his school-teacher mom, who cared for six children largely alone. Ben’s mom worked harder than anyone he’d ever met, but no matter how hard she worked, money was always tight. Some months, the lights went out, and they needed help just to put food on the table.

Ben’s mom taught him the power of hardwork, perseverance and education but most of all, she taught him that kindness and caring for others always carries the day.

To help his family get by, Ben started working at age 11 and since then, he’s worked nearly every job you can imagine – farm work, fast food, janitorial, he even repaired guitars for a while. After high school, Ben served an LDS mission in Brazil where he saw first hand how basic government services could transform individual lives. Motivated by his experience and the values instilled by his mom, Ben has committed his adult life to serving Utahns.

From working for Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker, to serving in the State Senate, to Mayor of Salt Lake County and then to Congress – Ben McAdams has always done what’s right, even when it’s hard. His achievements include:

Bringing together diverse stakeholders to pass landmark LGBT non-discrimination legislation in Salt Lake City

Working across the aisle to pass bills to protect Utahns from financial fraud and pyramid schemes in the State Senate

Championing innovative programs like “Pay for Success” which increased early childhood education in Salt Lake County, which has become a model for the state and the nation.

Protecting the environment by passing legislation to reduce smog pollution and increase funding for energy efficiency programs.

Prevented the Trump Administration from restarting nuclear weapons testing which has been linked to cancer in Utahns

Now, Ben is running for Congress because what’s happening in Washington isn’t working for people. Politicians in both parties are out of touch. They don’t understand what it’s like to struggle to make ends meet. Donald Trump and an ineffective Congress are literally pulling food out of the mouths of children, ripping health care away from families, and running our economy to the brink all to put more cash in the pockets of the ultra-wealthy.

With your support, Ben will go to Congress to do what he’s always done – improve the lives of Utahns, even when it’s hard.

Ben lives in Salt Lake City with his wife, Julie, and their four kids.

Ben's platform

I was raised by a mom who worked harder than anyone I’ve ever met. But no matter how hard she worked, money was always tight. Some months the lights went out, and we needed help just to put food on the table.

At 11, I got my first job to help keep our family afloat. Since then, I’ve worked nearly every job you can imagine — farm work, fast food, janitor, even guitar repairman. I know what it’s like to wonder if you’ll make it to the end of the month, because I’ve been there.

I’m running for Congress because Washington has forgotten what real life feels like. I can't think of any other time in my life where I've been more concerned about the direction of our nation. Political enemies being prosecuted, ICE and the National Guard sent to patrol our streets, peaceful protesters shot and killed, not to mention the thousands of hard working and law abiding immigrants ripped from their families without an ounce of due process.

In the blink of an eye Donald Trump has taken our democracy and trampled all over it. Republicans in Congress are his accomplices and let’s be honest too many democrats aren’t doing enough to stop it.

So here is my promise to you.

My service will always be about Utah. I’ll work with anyone to get results. But I’ve never been afraid to stand up and even stand alone to fight for the America that you and your family deserve to live in. A free, fair, and just place that helps your neighbor, protects dissent, and provides for its people.

I’ll go to work every day thinking about how to lower housing costs, get you the medical care you deserve and make life a little bit easier for Utah families.

It’s time for a new kind of politics. One that listens, finds common ground, and delivers for families like yours.

I’m Ben McAdams. I’m running for Congress — and I’d be honored to earn your vote.