In CD1, every outside dollar so far is backing former Rep. Ben McAdams, and there’s another $1 million ad blitz queued up to boost him. In CD2, Rep. Blake Moore is getting hammered by a shadowy super PAC that just popped up, while a centrist group tries to prop him up by mail. And in CD3, a seven-figure wave is lifting Rep. Celeste Maloy, much of it fueled by her old boss, as an ally of Gov. Spencer Cox goes after her opponent, Phil Lyman.
CD1
Total outside spending: $524,746 (as of June 8, 2026)
- $524,746 supporting Ben McAdams
When McAdams jumped into the race, WelcomePAC reported spending $21,835 on text messages supporting McAdams’ candidacy in November and another $989 on digital ads.
Way Back PAC, a federal hybrid PAC based in Sheridan, Wyoming, has spent $20,923 on digital advertising, mailers, and text messages backing McAdams. The PAC has also donated to several state and local level candidates in Utah during recent election cycles, including Republican Lisa Dean, who unsuccessfully challenged Rep. Ken Ivory in HD39, Republican Provo Mayor Marsha Judkins, and Democrats Evan Done and Dakota Wurth, who are running for Utah Senate.
America’s Credit Unions PAC is spending $300,000 for mailers and advertising to boost McAdams campaign.
The Article One PAC reported $181,000 on digital ads and texting for Adams late last week. The super PAC previously waded into Democratic primaries in New Jersey, North Carolina and California. Its two reported donors are Article One Action Fund and the Guzman Foundation, both 501c4 “dark money” groups that aren’t required to disclose their donors.
An affiliated joint fundraising committee, Article One Victory, lists billionaire Rob Granieri, the founder of the Jane Street investment firm, as its sole donor.
Punchbowl News reported last week New Democrat Majority, the independent expenditure arm of the New Democrat Coalition, is launching a $1 million ad campaign for McAdams. The spot praises McAdams for voting to impeach President Donald Trump in 2019. So far, the group has not filed any expenditure reports with the Federal Election Commission.
CD2
Total outside spending: $208,938 (as of June 8, 2026)
- $99,832 supporting Blake Moore
- $109,106 opposing Blake Moore
The Center Forward Initiative, a super PAC affiliated with the centrist Center Forward organization, reported spending $99,832 on direct mailers supporting Moore in May.
Defending Conservative Values PAC, a newly formed super PAC that appears affiliated with Dan Hauser, a top ally of Sen. Mike Lee, has spent $109,106 on digital ads attacking Moore so far this cycle.
CD3
Total outside spending: $1,109,395 (as of June 8, 2026)
- $1,089,395 supporting Celeste Maloy
- $20,000 opposing Phil Lyman
Defending our Values PAC, a super PAC controlled by former Utah Rep. Chris Stewart, has spent $879,000 on TV and digital ads and mailers supporting Maloy, a former staffer in Stewart’s office who won the special election to replace him when he resigned in 2023.
The American Conservation Coalition PAC (ACC PAC), the political arm of the conservative American Conservation Coalition, is responsible for $142,695 in outside spending on mailers and ad buys supporting Maloy.
The WFW Action Fund, which works to elect Republican women to Congress, has spent $37,700 on radio ads for Maloy.
Defending Utah Values, a PAC led by Owen Fuller, a longtime ally of Gov. Spencer Cox, has dropped $30,000 on digital ads supporting Maloy and $20,000 on ads attacking Maloy’s primary opponent, Phil Lyman.
If you have a news tip that we should investigate, email us at tips@utahpolitics.news or send your tip through our secure online form.