Candidate for Utah House of Representatives - District 51 in 2020 Utah General Election.
View your personalized ballot, check your voter registration, make a plan to vote, and research every name and measure on the ballot with BallotReady.
Get StartedPolicing is a complicated issue in our country now. I come from a family of police officers, including local and national police trainers and leaders. I have also served as legal counsel for a number of Fraternal Order of Police member police officers and I understand the challenges that officers face. We all count on order and safety. It is important that all citizens in our state and community feel equally protected by our officers. I look forward to working with Draper’s police department to ensure that they have the tools and resources to properly serve and be accountable to our communities so we can improve the safety of our district’s residents. Learn more
Thanks to Utah’s educated, innovative and hard-working citizens, our state is leading the nation in economic growth. This is an accomplishment that Utah should have great pride in as we look to create an economically prosperous and stable state for our children and grandchildren. The legislature needs to manage and encourage economic development and opportunities that work for the citizens of Utah and small business owners, not just the politically connected. Draper is a primarily residential area, and it is essential that as Draper grows, it also maintains its small town charm. I will work to ensure that our district grows responsibly and to the benefit of our citizens. Learn more
As president and chair of a public school governing board, I have seen first-hand the impact that legislative policy has on our schools. Local control, smaller class sizes, and competent and fairly compensated teachers are the most important elements to the success of our children. Educational bureaucracies should be thoughtfully scrutinized and state policy and funding allocations should consider these values. As a father of two young children, Utah’s youth are one of my great priorities. Utah currently ranks lowest in the nation for per student spending, which I am committed to changing, in order to ensure that our children have the tools and resources to build a prosperous future for themselves. Learn more
Some of Draper’s greatest assets are our open spaces; and I will ensure that they are protected and maintained. That is why I believe that most of the state-owned prison land should be transformed into a state park to provide additional recreational opportunities for our community. While many suggest that the land be used for dense urban development, I believe that part of what makes Draper great is our affinity for the outdoors. Massive development projects on the prison land put our air quality at risk, will increase traffic and congestion, and largely benefit special interests rather than Draper’s citizens, which will take away from the charm of our community. Learn more
MINING I am opposed to expansion of strip-mining operations in or near residential communities. Expanded mining operations have potential to pollute our communities, harm our bodies, and lessen the value of surrounding homes and properties. Rather than oppose mining operations near residential areas and taking steps to reduce potentially carcinogenic dust on our communities, our legislature has passed laws that allow mining companies to circumvent city governments. Draper has been left with no choice but to authorize expansions in exchange for concessions that do not benefit our residents or have expansions imposed under state law. Legislators, including those from our own community, have not done enough to fight against residential area mines and if elected, I promise to work to ensure that Draper remains a beautiful and safe place to call home. Learn more
Utah’s leaders must be dedicated to planning and practices that will improve our air quality. My priorities include 1) improving the safety and availability of sidewalks and bike lanes; 2) encouraging carpooling through increased park and ride lots; 3)supporting an increase in electric car charging stations; and 4) supporting the trends toward telecommuting. At the local level, this will also mean limiting environmentally harmful practices and working to slow development that will lead to traffic congestion and thereby increased pollution. Learn more
I support freedom to choose your healthcare, coverage for pre-existing conditions, and policies that increase efficiency, transparency, and can help control cost increases. Recent events have shown that telemedicine can be efficient and effective in many settings. Technologies relating to rapid, molecular and antigen testing of a variety of diseases should also be supported. After Utah’s experience with COVID-19, I am supportive of preparatory and well-funded public health initiatives that will protect our communities and health. Learn more
As a small business owner and attorney and advisor for many successful startup companies, I know first hand the undue amount of pressure and difficulties that high taxes and unnecessary government regulations have on small business owners. I am proud that I opposed the legislature’s unfair tax reform bill which included tax on basic necessities including food and supported and signed the referendum to overturn it. I look forward to continuing to ensure that our tax code works for families and business owners, not special interests. Learn more
View your personalized ballot, check your voter registration, make a plan to vote, and research every name and measure on the ballot with BallotReady.