UtahPolicy.com has learned Utah State Rep. Kim Coleman, R-West Jordan, is preparing to officially launch her campaign to challenge Democratic Rep. Ben McAdams in 2020.
Several sources tell UtahPolicy.com Coleman is readying the official announcement of her campaign sometime in the coming weeks. Those same sources say Coleman has been meeting with conservative groups and supporters in Washington, D.C. and other locations to build support for her run.
Coleman has served in the Utah Legislature since 2014 when she defeated incumbent Republican Jim Bird for the GOP nomination that year.
Coleman would be the first Republican to jump into the race in UT04, which is expected to be one of the most hotly contested in the country next year. It’s one of 31 Democratic-held seats in Congress won by Donald Trump in 2016. McAdams defeated Republican Mia Love by less than 700 votes in 2018.
There are several other Republicans who are considering seeking the Republican nomination next year to take on McAdams. They include Senate Minority Whip Daniel Hemmert, R-Orem, Rep. Jefferson Moss, R-Saratoga Springs, Utah County Commissioner Nathan Ivie and former Utah GOP communications director Kathleen Anderson.
Coleman, Hemmert and Moss would all have to give up their seats in the Utah Legislature to run for Congress.
There are rumblings that former U.S. Attorney for Utah Brett Tolman is thinking about a run for the Republican nomination. However, he endorsed McAdams over Love during the last election cycle.
Sen. Dan McCay, R-Riverton, shook up the race when he announced he would not challenge McAdams in 2020 as many had expected.
