We already knew that the 4th CD contest between Republican Mia Love and Democrat Ben McAdams was going to be a close contest, but the race has slowly risen to the top of the most hotly contested elections in the next year.
Politico named the 4th CD race as one of the most important races of 2018, and it could determine control of the House following next year’s midterm elections.
Democrats are targeting the 4th CD because of President Trump’s unpopularity in the district, and McAdams’ strength in Salt Lake County
In Utah, McAdams won his first mayor’s race in 2012, when Mormon Republicans were out in force to back Mitt Romney. And while Romney got 60 percent in Salt Lake County, McAdams got 55 percent. “I have a reputation as someone who gets things done by working across party lines,” McAdams said, adding that he expects the same ticket-splitting in his bid against GOP Rep. Mia Love.
Several national forecasters shifted the race away from a solid or safe Republican seat after McAdams entered the contest in a display of how strong of a candidate McAdams would be and how serious of a threat he posed to Love’s re-election bid.
National Democrats added the 4th CD to their list of targeted seats after McAdams announced he was jumping into the contest.
