Utah Democrat Blouin Faces Backlash Over Offensive Online Posts

Blouin's past comments mocking sexual assault and disparaging Mormons could prove a liability in his congressional race.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 9:22am

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Nate Blouin, a top Democratic candidate running for an open congressional seat in Utah, has faced intense scrutiny over a series of offensive posts he made on internet forums over a decade ago. The posts included crude jokes about sexual assault, derogatory comments about Mormons, and other vulgar language. Blouin has since apologized and acknowledged the posts reflect a version of himself he is 'ashamed of and have thankfully evolved past'.

Why it matters

Blouin's past comments could pose a significant challenge in his campaign, given the sizable Mormon population in the district and ongoing tensions between religious locals and transplants drawn to Utah's outdoor recreation. The revelations may also complicate support from high-profile progressive backers like Sen. Bernie Sanders.

The details

Blouin's offensive posts, made between 2009 and 2015 on various online forums, included recommending buying a GoPro camera 'for filming porn with your underage sister,' repeatedly using the word 'cunt' and threatening to 'skull fuck' someone. He also described the Mormon church as 'a bunch of bigoted assholes' with an 'ideology fostering ignorance and intolerance,' and said he 'took a shit in the corner of an LDS church parking lot.'

  • Blouin's posts were written between 2009 and 2015.

The players

Nate Blouin

A Utah state senator and top Democratic candidate running for an open congressional seat in Utah.

Bernie Sanders

A U.S. senator from Vermont and the endorser of Blouin's congressional campaign.

Ben McAdams

Blouin's main competition for the congressional seat, a more moderate Democrat.

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What they’re saying

“There's no excuse for these posts — they're vulgar, stupid, and reflect a version of me in my early twenties that I'm ashamed of and have thankfully evolved past. … I won't minimize what I wrote, and I believe every candidate forced to look at their old online activity should take full accountability for the person they once were behind their computer screen. To the people I hurt with my words, I sincerely apologize.”

— Nate Blouin, Utah State Senator and Congressional Candidate

What’s next

The revelations about Blouin's past comments could prove a serious liability in his congressional race, particularly given the sizable Mormon population in the district. It remains to be seen how Blouin's high-profile progressive backers, including Sen. Bernie Sanders, will respond to the controversy.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges candidates can face when their past online activity resurfaces, especially when it involves offensive or insensitive comments. It underscores the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions and demonstrating personal growth, as Blouin has attempted to do.