Utah Democrats look to mayor to flip GOP House seat

Utah Democrats look to mayor to flip GOP House seat

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Democrats in deep-red Utah are looking to Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams to flip one of the state’s four Republican-controlled congressional districts and help take control of the U.S. House.

But first he has to win the party’s nomination against four challengers at the party’s state convention Saturday.

McAdams is the favorite for the nomination. If he wins, he’ll go up against two-term GOP incumbent Mia Love in the general election.

Delegates Saturday will also select nominees for Utah’s Senate race and the three other congressional districts.

Salt Lake County Councilwoman Jenny Wilson is the favorite against three opponents for the Senate nomination.

The odds are tough for Democrats in Utah, though the national party has been buoyed by surprising recent wins in Pennsylvania, Alabama and elsewhere.