- Democratic candidates in Utah's District 1 debated public lands and climate change.
- Ben McAdams critiqued the Green New Deal, emphasizing policy over social media slogans.
- Candidates supported federal measures for Great Salt Lake, differing on public lands policies.
SALT LAKE CITY — Democratic candidates for Utah's first congressional seat shared mostly similar views when it comes to a variety of issues, especially when it comes to Utah's outdoors, but that didn't prevent sparks from flying as they jockey for the party's nomination.
Ben McAdams, Nate Blouin, Michael Farrell and Liban Mohamed, four of the candidates in the race, shared the stage, where they agreed on many topics, especially environmental ones, but not necessarily on how to get there.
For instance, they all agreed that polices to address climate change are needed, but while some backed the Green New Deal — a plan to move the U.S. away from fossil fuels to cut greenhouse gas emissions — McAdams, a former Utah congressman and Salt Lake County mayor, said it falls short on implementing everything that is needed to address the issue.
"We've gotten really good at coming up with hashtags and things that go viral on social media. We need to back that up with policy. ... The Green New Deal is not legislation. It's an idea," he said, explaining that any legislation will require feedback from meeting with various industries to address climate change.
Farrell, a tax attorney, agreed, saying Democrats have struggled at framing their messages, saying he'd support the measure even if President Donald Trump's name were on it because of its importance.
The sides debated the issue on Earth Day, while Utah's natural resources have received federal spotlight. Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante national monuments have been a political football for the past decade, flipping in size amid shifts in partisan control in recent years.
Meanwhile, Salt Lake City was recently named the new home for the U.S. Forest Service headquarters, which will be set up within the congressional district. The state could also receive $1 billion for Great Salt Lake solutions, under Trump's proposed budget.
All four said they would support federal measures that address the lake through different measures. Mohamed, a policy analyst, called it an environmental hazard that needs to be addressed.
"This is a federal issue. We need federal champions on this issue," added Blouin, a state senator. "We need to ensure that the $1 billion that Trump is pledging to Great Salt Lake is actually ongoing. That's the sort of commitment it's going to take at the federal level to address the concerns."
Both Farrell and McAdams said he'd push to support America's Red Rock Wilderness Act and other measures that protect public lands, noting that public lands are vital in Utah, when they were asked what public lands policies they'd support. But Blouin dinged McAdams for failing to vote for a land protection bill in Colorado. Mohamed said he'd help push against efforts to sell off public lands.
Candidates also spoke on other issues, including voting, health care and overseas affairs throughout the evening. In one of the more electric moments, McAdams said he opposes war efforts in Iran, and opposed attacks on Gaza that he said have now ended. The latter comment led to several groans from the packed auditorium.
"It has definitely not ended," Farrell retorted, leading to cheers from the crowd.
It's unclear if Wednesday's event will factor on the ballot. Blouin, Farrell and McAdams have already qualified for the Democratic primary later this year, while others can through the party's nominating convention on Saturday.
Correction: A previous version misspelled Farrell's last name as Farrel.
