J. Stuart Adams

Jabez Stuart Adams (born 1954/1955) 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. In 2018, he was chosen to be Senate president.

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

Personal life, education, and career Adams graduated from Layton High in 1972 and earned his BA from the University of Utah in business finance. He is a businessman by profession.

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. Adams previously served as the President of the Northern Wasatch Home Builders Association. Prior to his legislative service, Adams served nine years on the Layton City Council. He was appointed to both of these positions. 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. In June 2026, Stephanie Hollist defeated Adams by 43% to 35%. As of July 2026, Adams is serving as MIDA's chairman in an on-and-off capacity, whereas the agency's executive director Paul Morris retired in June 2026 and was replaced by former state senator Dan Hemmert. In his current board term, Adams, in his capacity as Senate president, appointed himself to the board. The project was also supplemented with 100% property tax relief. 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. Adams said he "did not request the legislation" and denied that the law change was intended to benefit the case involving his granddaughter. 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. 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.

COVID response controversies During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic in Utah, Adams supported legislation to stockpile the experimental medication hydroxychloroquine. 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.

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.

Elections

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, 2016S.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

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. 13Joint Resolution Supporting Creation of Citizens Equity FundsGovernor Signed March 16, 2017