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📰 Above the fold
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders handed Democrat Nate Blouin a marquee endorsement in the race for Utah’s newly-drawn 1st Congressional District, injecting national attention into the contest. The question is simple: How much does it matter?
For the most part, endorsements don’t move the needle much in congressional races - usually single digits. However, they can have a much bigger impact when it comes to primary races when voters have less information about the candidates. Endorsements can boost name ID, unlock small-dollar fundraising and mobilize volunteers—factors that matter in what could be a crowded primary election.
ICYMI - Bernie Sanders has made an endorsement in the crowded race in Utah’s newly redrawn first congressional district https://t.co/792CdeL1A6 #utpol @KSL5TV @KSLcom— Daniel Woodruff (@danielmwoodruff) December 1, 2025
Sanders is wildly popular among a large swath of Democratic voters in Utah.
Earlier this year, he and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez drew approximately 20,000 Utahns to attend the “Fight Oligarchy” tour at the University of Utah.
He won Utah twice in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination. He won nearly 80% of the vote against Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Utah Democratic Caucuses. He won again in 2020, defeating Joe Biden and Michael Bloomberg, but his vote share fell to about 35%. That was the largest drop in any state, which Brookings attributes mostly to the party’s switch from a caucus to a primary.
Sanders’ track record of endorsing Democratic congressional candidates in Republican states like Utah is generally underwhelming. Most of the candidates who win his endorsement either lose in the primary or struggle in the general election.
In 2022, Sanders endorsed 23 House candidates. 14 went on to win in November, but just four of those were in Republican states.
In 2024, Sanders endorsed seven congressional candidates, five of whom lost their primaries. The only winners were Reps. Ilhan Omar and Summer Lee, who ran in safely Democratic Districts.
Even so, the Sanders nod is still the highest-profile in the early stages of the Democratic contest.
Former Congressman Ben McAdams rolled out a slew of endorsements shortly after announcing his candidacy last month, mostly from local leaders like Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. Nationally, former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland has endorsed McAdams’ campaign.
I’m honored to have the endorsement of my friend, former Secretary of the Interior @debhaalandnm.bsky.social. During our time in Congress, we worked side-by-side to protect public lands, support Tribal communities, and deliver real results.
[image or embed]— Ben McAdams (@benmcadams.bsky.social) November 24, 2025 at 4:14 PM
The dueling slate of endorsements sets up a stark contrast for Utah Democrats: Blouin is courting progressives, while McAdams stacks up support from more traditional sectors.
State Sen. Kathleen Riebe hasn’t rolled out any endorsements since jumping in the race last month.