A Utah judge on Monday rejected a Republican-passed redistricting plan that aimed to create two more-competitive districts in the state — a move that was seen as insufficient by Democrats. The judge opted to implement one of two maps proposed by the plaintiffs, which resulted in a solidly-Democratic district covering Salt Lake City, marking the Democrats’ second win in the redistricting conflicts that are shaping the nation’s midterms.
In her ruling, issued minutes before the midnight deadline, Judge Dianna Gibson stated that the Republican map did not meet the criteria set by the 2018 voter-approved ballot measure that established nonpartisan redistricting standards. Earlier in October, Republican state legislators had passed the map that the judge ultimately denied, which created two competitive districts that still leaned Republican. This case is part of a larger redistricting battle, with Republicans having already secured favorable districts in four states, while Democrats achieved their first victory last week with California’s voter-approved initiative that could add five more seats to their congressional tally.
Several Utah Democrats are inching toward entering the race. Former Rep. Ben McAdams, the only Democrat to represent Utah in federal office this century, is expected to announce his candidacy soon, according to three people with direct knowledge of his thinking. He has already garnered support from Welcome PAC, a national group which backs more moderate candidates over progressives.
A Democrat has not represented Utah in Congress since 2021, when McAdams left office. The Utah case centers around a voter-approved measure against partisan gerrymandering in the state passed in 2018, one that Republicans are collecting signatures to undo. This situation adds to the broader national redistricting tensions, with the outcome of these battles likely to significantly influence the balance of power in upcoming elections.