A prominent Utah political figure with a history of civil rights advocacy has thrown his hat into the ring for Congress, joining what is shaping up to be a competitive Democratic primary race.
Derek Kitchen, who previously served on the Salt Lake City Council and in the state Senate, announced his candidacy Thursday for Utah’s newly created congressional district. The announcement positions Kitchen as a progressive voice in a field that already includes two other Democrats vying for the seat.
Kitchen’s Background in Utah Politics
Kitchen first gained statewide recognition in 2013 as the lead plaintiff in Kitchen v. Herbert, the groundbreaking case that successfully challenged and overturned Utah’s prohibition on same-sex marriage. This legal victory established Kitchen as a key figure in Utah’s LGBTQ+ rights movement.
His political career began with election to the Salt Lake City Council before advancing to the state Senate. Kitchen represented his constituents in the upper chamber until 2022, when he lost a primary challenge to Senator Jen Plumb.
Most recently, Kitchen held a position in the Biden administration, serving as senior vice president at the Export-Import Bank of the United States. According to the Export-Import Bank, this federal agency supports American jobs by facilitating exports of U.S. goods and services.
Campaign Message Focuses on Progressive Values
In his campaign announcement, Kitchen emphasized the need for strong opposition to Republican policies emanating from Washington. His statement highlighted his track record of taking on challenging fights for justice and equality, positioning himself as more than a status quo candidate.
Kitchen frames his candidacy as offering voters a clear choice between conventional politics and bold progressive leadership. He argues that Utah’s new district deserves representation that actively fights for working families rather than playing it safe on contentious issues.
Competitive Democratic Primary Taking Shape
Kitchen becomes the third Democrat to officially enter the race for this historic congressional seat. The district was established through court intervention following prolonged litigation over Republican gerrymandering of Utah’s House districts.
State Senator Kathleen Riebe, an educator with legislative experience, was first to announce her candidacy shortly after the court finalized new congressional boundaries. According to <a href=”https://www.utahsenate.org”>Utah State Senate</a> records, Riebe has served in the legislature representing her Salt Lake area constituents.
Ben McAdams, whose resume includes previous service in Congress, as Salt Lake County mayor, and in the state Senate, joined the race approximately one week ago. His campaign reported impressive early fundraising, collecting half a million dollars within the first 24 hours of his announcement.
Two additional Democrats, State Senator Nate Blouin and Caroline Gleich, who ran for U.S. Senate in 2024, have indicated they are weighing potential bids. Political observers suggest other candidates may be quietly exploring the possibility of entering the race.
Historic Opportunity for Utah Democrats
The newly drawn congressional district encompasses heavily Democratic areas of northern Salt Lake County, creating what analysts describe as the most favorable territory for Democratic candidates in Utah in decades. Political experts estimate the district leans Democratic by double digits, potentially as much as 17 percentage points.
This represents a significant shift in Utah’s political landscape, which has been dominated by Republicans at the federal level for generations. The creation of this district provides Democrats their best chance in years to secure reliable congressional representation from the state.
Kitchen’s announcement emphasized this historic nature, describing it as the first real opportunity in a generation for progressives to win a Utah congressional seat that truly reflects their values and priorities.
What This Means for Utah Voters
The competitive primary race suggests Utah Democrats will have substantive choices when selecting their nominee. Each candidate brings different strengths and experience to the table, from Kitchen’s civil rights background to McAdams’s previous congressional service to Riebe’s education expertise.
The winner of the Democratic primary will be heavily favored in the general election, given the district’s strong Democratic lean. This makes the primary contest particularly significant, as it will likely determine who represents the area in Congress.
With several months before the primary election, candidates will need to differentiate themselves on policy positions, leadership style, and their ability to effectively represent the district in Washington. Kitchen’s entry ensures voters will hear robust debate about the direction they want their representation to take.
The race represents not just a political contest but a pivotal moment for Utah’s Democratic Party as it seeks to translate favorable district boundaries into congressional representation that can advance progressive priorities at the federal level.
