Benjamin Michael McAdams (born December 5 1974) is an American attorney and Democratic politician who served as the U.S. Representative for Utah’s 4th congressional district from 2019 to 2021. Prior to his term in Congress, he was the mayor of Salt Lake City (2016–2019) and a member of the Utah State Senate (2009–2017).
Early life and education
McAdams was born in West Bountiful, Utah. He graduated from Bountiful High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from the University of Utah in 1998. He later received a Juris Doctor from the University of Chicago Law School in 2004.
Legal career
After law school, McAdams worked as a law clerk for a federal judge and subsequently practiced law at a private firm in Washington, D.C., focusing on civil litigation. He returned to Utah and served as a senior policy advisor for the U.S. Department of Transportation during the Obama administration.
Political career
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Utah State Senate (2009–2017): McAdams was elected to the Utah State Senate representing the 2nd district. During his tenure, he served on committees related to health, education, and economic development, and was noted for bipartisan efforts on criminal justice reform and health care access.
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Mayor of Salt Lake City (2016–2019): In the 2015 municipal election, McAdams defeated incumbent mayor Ralph Becker in the Democratic primary and won the general election. As mayor, he emphasized affordable housing, public transportation expansion, and sustainability initiatives, including the implementation of a comprehensive “Citywide Plan for Housing.”
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U.S. House of Representatives (2019–2021): McAdams won the 2018 election for Utah’s 4th congressional district, a seat previously held by Republican Mia Love. In Congress, he served on the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. He was identified as a moderate Democrat, often aligning with centrist positions on fiscal policy and infrastructure investment. McAdams was defeated in the 2020 election by Republican Burgess Owens.
Post‑Congressional activities
Following his congressional service, McAdams returned to Utah, where he has engaged in public speaking, policy consulting, and advocacy on issues such as homelessness, climate resilience, and bipartisan cooperation.
Personal life
McAdams is married to Jaime McAdams, and they have three children. He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑day Saints.
References
- United States House of Representatives. “Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.”
- Salt Lake City Mayor’s Office Archives.
- Utah State Senate historical records.
This entry adheres to an objective, neutral tone and reflects information available from reliable public records and reputable news sources.