Democratic Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams is jumping into the race for the 4th Congressional District seat against Republican Congresswoman Mia Love.
McAdams told the Salt Lake Tribune a few weeks ago he was seriously considering a run for Congress after receiving encouragement from friends and family.
Late Wednesday, McAdams tweeted “I'm in!” And in press release says he’s running because he wants to take his “bipartisan approach to Washington and apply it to the partisan gridlock.”
The 42-year-old Democrat is in the middle of his second four-year term as mayor of Salt Lake County.
Love is currently serving her second term in the House. The 41-year-old Republican was also the mayor of Saratoga Springs before running for Congress.
When KUER asked Love about a potential challenge from McAdams earlier this month, she declined to comment.
"I'm doing my job," she said as she left a ceremony for Jon Huntsman Jr. at the state capitol on Oct. 7.
McAdams could be a formidable opponent for Love, with an ability to fundraise and run as a more moderate Democrat. The 4th District was previously represented by another moderate Democrat, Jim Matheson, until 2014.
Technically, McAdams lives in the 2nd Congressional District, but is allowed by law to run for any congressional office in the state. As county mayor, he represents a majority of voters within the 4th District.
I'm in! https://t.co/3gdzTrwIgZ #utpol pic.twitter.com/WzITfE68rk
— Ben McAdams (@BenMcAdams) October 19, 2017
