State Senate District 7 in Utah State Senate District 7, Utah

2026 Primary Election

• Garret Rushforth — Public school teacher in UT

  Garret Rushforth is a public school teacher running as a Democrat for the Utah State Senate to represent District 7 in the 2026 election. He is a graduate of Viewmont High School, holding a bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University (2019) and a graduate degree from Western Governors University (2025). Rushforth will appear on the ballot for the general election on November 3, 2026, as the Democratic primary for this office was canceled. He will face Jeffrey Ostler of the Constitution Party.

• Jeffrey Ostler — Candidate for State Senate in UT

  Jeffrey Ostler is a Utah political candidate affiliated with the Constitution Party. He has a history of seeking various state-level offices, including Utah State Treasurer in 1992, State Senate in 1998, and State Auditor in 2024. He has expressed a desire to represent the public, drawing on his experience in "auditing." His policy positions are strongly conservative, including a firm stance against biological males participating in women's sports and opposing taxpayer funding for abortion providers like Planned Parenthood. He also strongly supports free enterprise and private property rights and disagrees with Critical Race Theory. Ostler has a track record of multiple electoral attempts, though without a win to date.

• Jennifer Garner — Social services professional in Farmington, UT

  Jennifer Garner, a mom of three boys with a background in social services and a master's in business, sought a seat in the Utah State Senate to restore principles, transparency, and commitment to families and children. She was motivated by legislation she felt did not represent the people or use data-driven decisions. Garner advocates for smaller government, data-driven lawmaking on issues like water and housing, clearer bill language, and a moratorium on new public infrastructure districts. She believes lawmakers should empower people with freedom and let free markets operate, and is described as an unapologetic defender of children who holds criminals accountable.

• Stephanie Hollist — Vice President and General Counsel at a heavy machinery company in Davis County, UT

  Stephanie Hollist is a Republican candidate running for the Utah State Senate to represent District 7. An attorney with two decades of experience in state and city government, particularly in higher education, she currently serves as Vice President and General Counsel for a heavy machinery company in Salt Lake City. Hollist is challenging a long-serving incumbent, asserting that core district issues like housing affordability and infrastructure are unaddressed due to disconnected leadership. She advocates for restoring public trust, increasing transparency, and accountability, focusing on solutions that reflect Utah values and protect the Constitution.

• Stuart Adams — Incumbent Utah State Senator in UT

  Stuart Adams is an incumbent Republican State Senator representing Utah's District 7, currently serving as Senate President. With a legislative career beginning in the Utah House in 2002 and moving to the Senate in 2009, he previously held the role of Majority Whip. Adams is seeking re-election in the 2026 Republican primary. His policy priorities include parental choice in education, ending DEI in state institutions, supporting first-time home buyers, and championing infrastructure projects like Highway 89. He also advocates for maintaining single-sex spaces and is credited with delivering large tax cuts in Utah.

• Braden Hess — Candidate for State Senate in Kaysville, UT

  Braden Hess, a Utah native, was born in Layton and raised in Kaysville, where he now resides with his wife, Carla Tomlinson, and their four sons. A descendant of pioneers, teachers, and farmers, he graduated from Davis High School, served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and earned degrees from Utah State University and the University of Maryland Baltimore School of Law. Hess is running for Utah State Senate, having left a nonpartisan legal role to fully engage in partisan politics. He advocates for stricter judge vetting, tax reform, and market-led housing solutions, and is committed to pro-life policies, defending Second Amendment rights, expanding school choice, and minimizing government interference.