Text: “you won’t be excommunicated for voting McAdams”

SALT LAKE CITY — Several Utahns reported receiving a text on Sunday from a number claiming to represent the Independent Republicans of Utah. It reads: “The Independent Republicans of Utah want you to know: you won’t be excommunicated for voting for Dem Ben McAdams-he’s the best Republican in the race.”

One of the people who forwarded the text to KSL, who asked to remain anonymous, said that they received the text during Sunday services at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as did several of their ward members. In an email to KSL, they wrote, “I find it offensive to mock my religion and to receive it while in my worship services. … Really makes me want to speak out against McAdams.”

In a statement to Fox 13, McAdams’ communications director Alyson Heyrend said, “these texts are not coming from the Ben McAdams for Congress campaign, or anyone affiliated with our campaign.  As an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Mayor McAdams respects the Church’s long-standing neutrality in political races and would never imply their involvement in this race.”

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.