Moderate Democrat projected to win primary in Utah's new left-leaning district

Former Rep. Ben McAdams, a mean Democrat, won a competitory Democratic superior successful Utah's recently drawn 1st Congressional District connected Tuesday, CBS News projects. 

The superior is the latest flashpoint successful the statement implicit the absorption of the Democratic Party's future. The contention pitted McAdams against 3 progressives — authorities Sen. Nate Blouin, governmental newcomer and Utah Democratic normal victor Liban Mohamed and taxation lawyer Michael Farrell.

The district, which encompasses Salt Lake City and its suburbs, could assistance find the House bulk successful November. After a lengthy ineligible battle, court-ordered redistricting produced 1 Democratic-leaning district, giving the enactment its champion accidental successful astir a decennary to flip 1 of the state's 4 House seats. The University of Virginia's Sabato's Crystal Ball considers the caller territory a harmless pickup for Democrats. 

Republican Rep. Blake Moore represents the 1st District nether the aged boundaries, which spanned the bluish portion of the authorities and stretched down into parts of Salt Lake City. Moore is present moving for reelection successful Utah's solidly reddish 2nd District. 

McAdams was elected successful 2018, serving 1 word successful the House aft beating a Republican incumbent. He was considered the astir blimpish Democrat during his 2 years successful Congress, and he's since had to region himself from immoderate of his past positions, astir notably connected termination rights, to tally a competitory contention successful an country that erstwhile Vice President Kamala Harris would person won by 24 points nether the caller boundaries. 

Blouin, who was considered the starring progressive successful the contention and backed by autarkic Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, besides distanced himself from past views, apologizing for old societal media posts successful which helium mocked intersexual battle and Mormons.