Stuart Adams
Adams in 2022
President of the Utah Senate
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 28, 2019
Preceded byWayne L. Niederhauser
Member of the Utah Senate
Incumbent
Assumed office
September 16, 2009
Preceded byGreg Bell
Constituency22nd district (2009–2023)
7th district (2023–present)
Member of the Utah House of Representatives
from the 16th district
In office
June 19, 2002 – December 31, 2006
Preceded byKevin Garn
Succeeded byKevin Garn
Personal details
BornJabez Stuart Adams
1954 or 1955 (age 71–72)
PartyRepublican
EducationUniversity of Utah (BS)

Jabez Stuart Adams (born 1954/1955)[1] is the Republican senator for the Utah State Senate's 7th District. Prior to redistricting, he represented the 22nd District. Adams was appointed to the Utah House of Representatives in 2002 and then to the Senate in 2009. In 2012, he was chosen to be the Senate majority whip.[2] In 2018, he was chosen to be Senate president.[3]

In June 2026, Stephanie Hollist defeated Adams in his bid for re-election by 43% to 35%.[4][5]

Personal life, education, and career

Adams graduated from Layton High in 1972[6] and earned his BA from the University of Utah in business finance.[7] He is a businessman by profession.[7] Adams is married to his wife, Susan, and they have four daughters together.[8]

In 2002, he received the Business Person of the Year award from the Utah State Chamber of Commerce and the Builder of the Year award from the Northern Wasatch Home Builders Association.[9] Adams previously served as the President of the Northern Wasatch Home Builders Association.[9]

Political career

Adams is a former chairman of the Utah State Transportation Commission.[10] Prior to his legislative service, Adams served nine years on the Layton City Council.[10]

Adams served for over four years in the Utah State House of Representatives from 2002 to 2006. He commenced his service in the Senate on September 16, 2009.[11] He was appointed to both of these positions.[7] In 2004, then-Representative Adams was named the 2004 Legislator of the Year by the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, the 2004 Legislator of the Year by the International Code Council, and the 2004 Representative of the Year by the Davis County Republican Women.[9]

In 2016, Adams served as the majority whip.[7] He has also served on the following committees:[12]

  • Executive Appropriations Committee
  • Infrastructure and General Government Appropriations Subcommittee
  • Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee
  • Senate Business and Labor Committee
  • Senate Transportation and Public Utilities and Technology Committee

In his 2026 re-election bid for an eighth senatorial term, Adams faced two Republican primary challengers, but signaled his intention to be re-elected as Senate president if he were to win the primary.[13] In June 2026, Stephanie Hollist defeated Adams by 43% to 35%.[4][5]

MIDA chairmanship and Project Stratos controversy

In 2008, then-governor Jon Huntsman Jr. appointed Adams to the Military Installation Development Authority (MIDA),[10] which was established in 2007 to collect property taxes to fund infrastructural development projects, support military communities and missions, and prevent the closure of the Hill Air Force Base.[14][15] As of July 2026, Adams is serving as MIDA's chairman in an on-and-off capacity,[14][16] whereas the agency's executive director Paul Morris retired in June 2026 and was replaced by former state senator Dan Hemmert.[17] In his current board term, Adams, in his capacity as Senate president, appointed himself to the board.[10] During his chairmanship, MIDA oversaw the Deer Valley East Village ski resort expansion with Extell Development Company and a proposed uranium enrichment facility at Camp Williams.[10]

On April 4, 2026,[15] Adams "championed" and the agency approved Kevin O'Leary's Stratos project, which proposed the construction of a 40,000-acre data center in Box Elder County.[4] The project garnered bipartisan criticism, with the "conservative criticism" stemming largely from the perceived lack of voter and official input on the "fast-tracked government approval" of the "accelerated economic development" and perceived circumvention of accountability.[15][18] The project was also supplemented with 100% property tax relief.[18] O'Leary claimed he was pressured to give in with "no choice" "for [Adams's] political reasons" via letter to remove 20,050 acres from the approved zoning area.[15]

The New York Times cites the backlash to data centers as the focus behind his re-election primary loss to Stephanie Hollist.[4]

2024 criminal law controversy

In 2024, Adams was involved in discussions that led to a change in Utah law allowing enrolled 18-year-old high school students to be charged with unlawful sexual activity rather than child rape in certain cases involving 13-year-olds.[19] The resulting legislation, adopted as part of SB 213, allowed prosecutors to charge enrolled 18-year-old high school students with unlawful sexual activity rather than child rape.[19] The bill was not retroactive, but the law was later referenced in court hearings before Adams's 18-year-old granddaughter's case was resolved with a plea deal.[20] Adams said he "did not request the legislation" and denied that the law change was intended to benefit the case involving his granddaughter.[19]

2021 congressional redistricting

In 2018, an independent redistricting commission was formed to better represent the public's voice when it came to redrawing Utah's congressional maps. A bipartisan group was formed to recommend congressional, state senate, state house, and state school board district boundaries based on public feedback and a strong focus on representation of "communities of interest."[21] On November 1, 2021, the commission delivered its 12 recommendations that were vetted through 16 public hearings across the state to the legislature. The Princeton Gerrymandering Project gave favorable reviews to the maps the council drew.[22] The state legislature, under the leadership of Senate President Adams, ignored the commission's recommendations and drew and approved their own maps. They divided Salt Lake County, the largest and most diverse county in the state, into the four congressional districts.[23]

COVID response controversies

During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic in Utah, Adams supported legislation to stockpile the experimental medication hydroxychloroquine.[24] Soon it emerged that Utah had purchased $800,000 worth of the drug, at vastly inflated prices, from a local pharmacy with personal connections to Adams.[25][26]

In 2022, Adams, as the Utah Senate president, opened the 2022 general session of the 64th legislature in person, without a mask. Having contracted COVID-19 the week before, Adams said he had recovered before speaking to the Senate at the start of the session. It was later revealed that he had tested positive for COVID-19 twice that morning. Adams continued his legislative duties unmasked, conversing in close contact with fellow senators, staff, and dignitaries, only masking when meeting with members of the media.[27]

Elections

2026 Utah State Senate, primary election District 7
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Stephanie Hollist 7,550 43
Republican J. Stuart Adams 6,014 34.3
Republican Braden Hess 3,981 22.7
2022 Utah State Senate, general election District 7
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican J. Stuart Adams 22,454 72.1
United Utah Kimberly Wagner 8,703 27.9
2018 Utah State Senate, general election District 22
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican J. Stuart Adams 32,765 100
Total votes N/a 100.0
2014 Utah State Senate, general election District 22
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican J. Stuart Adams 16,605 73.3
Democratic Kip Sayre 4,417 19.5
Libertarian Brent Zimmerman 1,643 7.2
2010 Utah State Senate, general election District 22
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican J. Stuart Adams 16,638 70.09
Democratic Charlie Parker 4,597 19.37
Constitution David A. Hansen 2,028 8.54

[28] [29]

Legislation

2016 sponsored bills

Bill number Bill title Bill status
S.B. 80 Infrastructure Funding Amendments Governor Signed March 25, 2016
S.B. 115 Sustainable Transportation and Energy Plan Act Governor Signed March 29, 2016
S.B. 130 Tattoo Removal Governor Signed March 29, 2016
S.B. 154 Medicaid Accountable Care Organizations Governor Signed March 29, 2016
S.B. 161 Highway Signage Amendments Governor Signed March 25, 2016
S.B. 203 Immunity Amendments Governor Signed March 22, 2016
S.B. 222 Professional Licensing Amendments Senate/Filed for bills not passed October 3, 2016
S.B. 231 Waste Management Amendments Senate/Filed for bills not passed October 3, 2016
S.B. 246 Funding for Infrastructure Revisions Governor Signed March 22, 2016
S.B. 251 Water Infrastructure Funding Amendments Governor Signed March 25, 2016
S.C.R. 12 Concurrent Resolution Recognizing the Importance of Utah Sport and Olympic Legacy Efforts Senate/Filed for bills not passed October 3, 2016
S.C.R. 19 Concurrent Resolution on Education Governor Signed March 22, 2016

[30]

2017 sponsored bills

Bill number Bill title Bill status
S.B. 79 Waste Management Amendments Governor Signed March 24, 2017
S.B. 167 Bail Amendments Governor Signed March 15, 2017
S.B. 179 Animal Care and Control Appreciation Week Governor Signed March 14, 2017
S.B. 196 Health Education Amendments Governor Signed March 20, 2017
S.B. 197 Refinery Sales and Use Tax Exemption Amendments Governor Signed March 25, 2017
S.B. 202 Parent-time Amendments Governor Signed March 17, 2017
S.B. 228 Water Infrastructure Revisions Senate/Filed for bills not passed September 3, 2017
S.B. 262 Upstart Amendments Governor Signed March 28, 2017
S.B. 270 Sudden Cardiac Arrest Prevention Act Senate/Filed for bills not passed September 3, 2017
S.B. 273 Energy Development Amendments Governor Signed March 28, 2017
S.J.R. 13 Joint Resolution Supporting Creation of Citizens Equity Funds Governor Signed March 16, 2017

[31]

References

  1. ^ "'I just want to be positive,' incoming Utah Senate President Stuart Adams says". January 27, 2019.
  2. ^ Romero, McKenzie (November 8, 2012). "Utah GOP chooses legislative leadership". Deseret News. Archived from the original on April 16, 2014. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  3. ^ "Stuart Adams elected as President of Utah State Senate". KTVX. November 9, 2018. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  4. ^ a b c d Healy, Jack (June 24, 2026). "Utah Senate President Loses Primary After Data Center Backlash". The New York Times. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  5. ^ a b Beal-Cvetko, Bridger; Woodruff, Daniel (June 15, 2026). "Stuart Adams, Trevor Lee, Dan McCay lose reelection bids in Utah Legislature". KSL-TV. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  6. ^ "Senate President Stuart Adams 2021 ALEC National Chair, Utah Senate". American Legislative Exchange Council. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  7. ^ a b c d "Adams, J. Stuart". Utah State Senate. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  8. ^ "J. Stuart Adams' Political Summary". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  9. ^ a b c "Stuart Adams: Proven Results. Clear Choice". Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  10. ^ a b c d e Knight, Marina (June 29, 2026). "Election loss may not end Adams' influence over Deer Valley, data centers". Townlift Park City News. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  11. ^ Utah.gov. "Governor Appoints Stuart Adams to Utah State Senate". September 16, 2009. Retrieved on May 13, 2013.
  12. ^ "District 22 Senator - Utah State Senate". senate.utah.gov. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  13. ^ Beal-Cvetko, Bridger; Woodruff, Daniel (June 15, 2026). "Adams says he'll run for Senate president again if he defeats 2 primary opponents". KSL-TV. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  14. ^ a b Larsen, Leia (June 26, 2026). "MIDA hires new director following Box Elder data center backlash". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  15. ^ a b c d Tomco, Brigham (June 4, 2026). "Political backlash compels Kevin O'Leary to pivot on massive data center project". Deseret News. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  16. ^ Shaw, Mitch (September 5, 2019). "New Northrop Grumman facility at Hill AFB to bring new jobs to Northern Utah". Standard-Examiner. Retrieved July 1, 2026. Sen. Stuart Adams, R-Layton, who was once chairman of the Military Installation Development Authority that helped moved the Falcon Hill project forward
  17. ^ Doerfler, Grace (June 30, 2026). "Former state senator tapped to lead MIDA". KPCW. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  18. ^ a b Tomco, Brigham (June 24, 2026). "Data center fallout upends Utah politics, ousting Senate president". Deseret News. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  19. ^ a b c Gehrke, Robert (August 2, 2025). "Utah's Senate president prompted law change that helped a teen charged with child rape". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  20. ^ McKeller, Katie (August 21, 2025). "Gov. Cox says he's 'grateful' he didn't know about new law's impact on Senate president's relative". Utah News Dispatch. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  21. ^ "Legislative Redistricting Committee Wraps Up Statewide Public Hearing Tour". Utah Independent Redistricting Commission. October 20, 2021. Retrieved July 1, 2026.
  22. ^ "Comment on the Utah Legislature's Proposed Maps". gerrymander.princeton.edu. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  23. ^ McKellar, Katie (November 10, 2021). "Utah redistricting: Congressional map splitting Salt Lake County 4 ways heads to Gov. Spencer Cox". Deseret News. Retrieved January 22, 2022.
  24. ^ Gifford, Bill (December 29, 2020). "Red State Rebellion". Mother Jones. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  25. ^ McKellar, Katie (April 23, 2020). "Utah bought $800K in controversial drugs weeks ago but health officials didn't know". Deseret News. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  26. ^ Rodgers, Bethany (April 13, 2020). "Pharmacist who's amassed malaria drugs has ear of Utah leaders about COVID-19 treatment". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  27. ^ "Senate President Stuart Adams tested positive for COVID twice Tuesday before publicly announcing he was negative". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved January 19, 2012.
  28. ^ "Stuart Adams - Ballotpedia". ballotpedia.org. Retrieved April 1, 2016.
  29. ^ "Utah 2026 Primary Election Results". Utah Election Results. Retrieved June 26, 2026.
  30. ^ "2016 -- Legislation(Senate)". le.utah.gov. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
  31. ^ "2017 -- Legislation(Senate)". le.utah.gov. Retrieved August 28, 2017.