WASHINGTON — The upcoming midterm elections in which Utah is poised to elect a House Democrat is a rare opportunity for the party to communicate its values to an otherwise Republican-led state, one Democratic candidate says.
State Sen. Kathleen Riebe, D-Cottonwood Heights, who was the first Democrat to announce her candidacy for Utah’s newly redrawn 1st District, said she saw the redistricting shift coming — and has been prepared to jump into the race regardless of what the final map reconfiguration would be. The new district would be a deep-blue seat, giving Democrats a chance to run on the party’s values in a way that hasn’t been done before in the Beehive State, she said.
“From what I’m seeing and what I’m hearing, people would like someone who believes strongly in those values,” Riebe told the Deseret News in an interview. “But I also believe in having those Democratic values and discussing those across the state.”
By doing that, Riebe argues, it could help Democrats “build the bench” in the red state of Utah and pave the way for potentially more Democratic wins.
“I did see this happening,” she said. “I think that this is something that needed to happen.”
Utah offers Democrats a unique battlefield, Riebe says
The last time Utah sent a Democrat to Congress, the district was considered a toss-up. Former Rep. Ben McAdams flipped the seat by leaning heavily on his moderate platform to help win over both Democratic and independent voters.
But the map recently chosen by a Utah judge offers a battlefield Utah Democrats have not seen before. The district would be a deeper shade of blue, and one in which Kamala Harris won by more than 20 percentage points in the 2024 election.
That offers candidates a chance to carve out a new faction in the party: candidates who believe in Utah’s signature values such as faith and family but also “adding things like reproductive health care and unions,” Riebe said.
“As a Democrat, I believe that reproductive health is important,” Riebe said. “As a Democrat, I believe that education is the backbone of our communities and actually lifts people out of poverty. As a Democrat, I believe in unions and the ability to have a living wage and to also reset the balance between the haves and the have nots. … So those are the things that I believe in as a Democrat.”
Riebe acknowledged that could still be an uphill battle in the new congressional district — especially with McAdams on the ballot with the advantage of name recognition and a reliably centrist voting record. But the state senator said there are likely voters who are “looking for something a little different than what they’ve had in the past.”
“This new blue seat gives us the opportunity to be really firm on our values, be really firm on what it means to represent Salt Lake County, and also to build that bridge with our rural communities,” she said.
Riebe points to experience as teacher, legislator as strengths in campaign
Despite not holding a congressional seat before, Riebe is no stranger to the campaign world. The state senator most recently ran in the special election to replace former Rep. Chris Stewart in 2023 when he retired from office early, although she lost to Rep. Celeste Maloy, who now holds the seat.
But Riebe has held a seat in the state Legislature since 2019 after previously serving on the Utah State Board of Education for two years. Before that, Riebe worked as a teacher herself in the Granite School District.
It’s those experiences that Riebe said has allowed her to connect with constituents on a personal level that would serve her well if sent to Washington.
“Making a living wage is out of reach for so many families right now,” Riebe said. “And I find it very concerning that we’re attacking education, which I believe is a lifeline to a successful and productive and thriving community.”
Riebe noted she would also prioritize rebuilding confidence between everyday people and the federal government, calling the current lack of trust “concerning.”
The former educator pushed back on efforts to completely dismantle federal agencies such as the Department of Education, arguing that while she believes in local control, there must also be protections against corruption.
“I applaud local government. I think they are the best people to serve their communities. So taking away the red tape, I completely believe in that,” she said. But when “we take away that Department of Education completely, then we also take away those guardrails, and that concerns me greatly. I think getting rid of the red tape, getting rid of some of the strings attached to education funding, is important. But those guardrails are paramount in protecting students that have the highest needs.”
Riebe also pointed to her most recent experience serving in the minority party in the state Legislature as evidence she can work across the aisle to find solutions — even if she only serves as the initial push for others to take her proposals across the finish line.
“When I think about some of the bills that I’ve run that haven’t succeeded, but then came back again with somebody else’s name on it, I’m OK with that,” Riebe said. “I’m okay with moving the message. I’m OK with doing the hard work without getting the recognition of having my name on the bill while recognizing that without me in the room, the voice is not heard.”
Riebe joins a crowded (and growing) primary field
While Riebe was the first to throw her hat in the ring, many have already followed suit — and more are likely on their way.
McAdams announced his campaign last week, and former state Sen. Derek Kitchen made his bid official this week. State Sen. Nate Blouin is likely to jump into the fold as well, telling the Deseret News earlier this month he is “strongly considering” a bid.
Other Democrats are also considering a run, including former candidates Kael Weston and Caroline Gleich.
It’s not yet clear which Republican incumbent, if any, would run in the newly redrawn 1st District. Because of the newly reconfigured boundaries, the four Utah House Republicans have not yet announced their plans despite coordinating with each other.