2024 Issues & Priorities

“Investing in our children’s education is the key to our future and every Utah family should have access to quality, affordable healthcare. Our economy should be forward-thinking and that it should work for all Utahns, not just a few. Future generations should have access to pristine public lands and clean air.”

The Great Salt Lake

  • I have championed meaningful action to protect and rehabilitate the Lake, but these efforts must be ongoing. The shrinking of the Great Salt Lake poses serious environmental risks to the entire Wasatch Front. The lake is a critical natural resource that supports diverse wildlife, provides recreational opportunities, and contributes significantly to our local economy.

Protecting Parley’s Canyon from Mining Operations

  • Protecting Parley's Canyon from expanded mining operations is a top priority. This beautiful and ecologically vital area is at risk from mining operations that would forever alter the landscape. The proposed quarry would be the largest mining operation in the region since the 1970s, over 50 times the size of the existing gravel pit in Parley’s Canyon. Not only would the project permanently mar the canyon’s natural beauty but it would also destroy a historic community, pollute our air and water, disrupt local ecosystems, and increase the risk of wildfires, avalanches, and more. I am dedicated to working with community leaders, environmental advocates, and policymakers to block harmful mining projects and preserve Parley's Canyon for future generations.

Clean Air

  • Too many lives are shortened by air quality on the Wasatch Front. Much more can be done to clean the air, as outlined in the Utah Road Map: Positive Solutions on Climate and Air Quality. We need to build consensus as a state and set a goal for reducing emissions, then reach that goal by reducing emissions from the vehicle fleet, from new buildings, and from industrial sources.

Affordable Housing

  • Homeownership is a cornerstone of financial stability, but Utah’s housing prices have gotten out of control.  I am committed to addressing Utah's housing crisis by advocating for smart, sustainable policies that increase the availability of affordable homes. I want to encourage responsible development, protect renters, and ensure that hardworking Utah families can find housing they can afford. I believe everyone deserves a safe, affordable place to live, and I’m working to make that a reality for all Utahns.

Public Lands

  • As a native Utahn, I grew up exploring and learning to love our state’s open spaces and I’ve passed that tradition on to my children. Utah’s treasured lands are not just beautiful, they’re a powerful engine to grow our economy, which is tied directly to outdoor recreation and tourism. I’ll fight to protect the places we all love, and I’ll work to make sure our children and grandchildren inherit a clean and beautiful Utah.

Education

  • Nothing is more important than ensuring our children are able to reach their full potential. This means investing in education to prepare Utah students to compete with the rest of the world for high-paying jobs. It means expanding vocational education opportunities so that people who are willing to work hard at a trade have an opportunity to get ahead. And it means making sure students can attend college without a lifetime of debt. I know from personal experience how much of a burden rising college costs put on Utah families; we must lower tuition at community colleges and universities.

Affordable Healthcare

  • I’m married to a pediatrician so I’m constantly reminded of the importance of good healthcare policy. I believe that all hard-working Utahns should have access to high-quality, affordable health insurance. We need to get to work to protect Medicaid and the ACA. 

A Strong Middle Class Economy

  • Six generations of my family have called Utah home. My wife Cynthia and I are grateful to raise our children here. I believe that Utahns who work hard should be able to support their families. I will fight to improve the business climate and strengthen the middle class.

Protecting Downwinders

  • The health and safety of Utahns should always come first. Our downwinders—those who have suffered due to nuclear testing in nearby regions—deserve recognition and protection. I am committed to advocating for policies that provide them with the support and resources they need, and ensuring their voices are heard in the fight for justice and health protections.

Utah’s Outdoor Recreation Economy

  • One of my priorities is to help people of all political persuasions understand the tremendous economic potential Utah’s public lands have as recreation resources. This should help people find common ground on public land issues.