Candidate Scorecard

Links to Previous Negative Legislation:

(1) 2024 SLC Council ceasefire resolution

(2) Utah SB 186 (2021): Text; Votes

(3) Legislation Ben McAdams voted for or otherwise supported while in Congress (2019-2021):

a.    H.Res. 246: Resolution Opposing BDS (2019). McAdams cosponsored and voted YES.

b.    H.Res. 727: Affirming U.S. support for Israel’s right to defend itself (2019). Resolution introduced but never voted on. McAdams cosponsored.

c.    2020 National Defense Authorization Act: Included funding for Israeli missile defense programs. McAdams voted YES. 

d.    2021 National Defense Authorization Act: Included funding for Israeli missile defense programs. McAdams voted YES. 

Statement by Derek Kitchen regarding his vote on SB 186 (2021), the Utah Anti-BDS Law:

This vote took place before October 7, before the current escalation, and before the scale of devastation in Gaza that the world has now witnessed. Context matters not as an excuse, but as an explanation.

When the Anti-Boycott Israel Act first came before the Utah Senate, I voted NO. My concern was that it could cross a line into restricting political expression or be tied to national efforts to silence dissent. After that vote, I asked questions, sought clarity, and was told the bill was narrowly limited to state contracting, did not regulate individual speech, and was not intended to punish protest or advocacy. With no red flags raised at the time, I voted with the Democratic caucus on final passage.

I understand why people are uncomfortable with that vote. I am too.

Since then, and especially since October 7, it has become undeniable that laws like this have been used nationally to chill political speech, punish peaceful protest, and shield a foreign government from accountability. I do not support that. If I had the opportunity to vote on this legislation today, I would vote NO.

Let me be clear about where I stand:

I believe Palestinians deserve freedom, safety, and dignity. I support the right to boycott as protected political speech. I reject the idea that criticism of Israeli government policy is antisemitic. And I oppose U.S. policies that enable the mass suffering of civilians or block accountability for human rights abuses.

Democrats need to grow a spine when it comes to human rights abroad -- starting with our approach to Israel and Palestine. That means fighting for an immediate end to civilian harm, restoring humanitarian aid, defending international law, and pushing for a future where Palestinians can live free from occupation and violence.

Leadership isn’t about pretending past votes didn’t happen. It’s about learning, listening, and building a coalition strong enough to force real change. That’s the work I’m committed to, and I welcome the partnership of everyone pushing for a just and lasting peace.