Where I stand on policy
Principled Conservatism
The Constitution
I believe the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and other founding documents were inspired, and we must elect leaders who value and uphold their solemn oath to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, [and] bear true faith and allegiance to the same.” As a legislator, my highest priority will be to ensure our government remains true to key constitutional principles of states’ rights, federal checks and balances, and the Bill of Rights including the right to bear arms, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion.
Fiscal Responsibilty
“What is prudence in the conduct of every private family can scarce be folly in that of a great kingdom.” What Adam Smith penned in his 1776 book, Wealth of Nations, has never been more relevant or more ignored. Politicians on both sides of the aisle spend Americans’ tax dollars with reckless abandon, with little to no accountability. Even Republicans contribute to the never-ending spending spree that is costing us and future generations trillions of dollars. To complicate this even further, we allow our geopolitical and economic threats to purchase a majority of our debt. Ultimately our national debt has become much more than an economic threat — it’s also threatening our strength on the global stage.
Budgeting is never as fun as spending, but it must be done in order to regain our financial solvency. I’m an advocate of incremental budget reductions across all areas.
Free Trade
One of the hallmarks of conservatism is free trade. I believe that communities, states, and countries benefit from a market-driven economy. One that evolves as consumer needs shift, and allows natural economic forces like supply and demand to drive prices down and quality up. I’m against unwarranted isolationist and protective economic policies that inhibit our nation’s ability to grow and compete on a global scale. We must also pursue fair and advantageous trade deals that ensure American companies and workers are not disadvantaged when competing globally. The government’s role is to minimize regulation that unnecessarily stifles economic growth, and, when necessary, offer reasonable consumer and worker protection against harmful or predatory business practices.
Limited Government
The genius of our democracy is rooted in the idea that the government’s only power comes from the people — not the other way around. The federal government has colored increasingly outside the lines provided by the Constitution, and now behaves like a bloated, inefficient organization with no incentive to innovate and no true accountability. Additionally, and alarmingly, the federal government’s overreach often strays from tax dollars into individual freedoms and states’ rights. Governing power becomes more effective and efficient the closer it is to its citizens. State and local control (unless outlined by the Constitution) lead to optimal outcomes across the policy spectrum, including for education, public lands, healthcare, etc. We must keep the federal government in check as intended by our nation’s inspired founding documents.
Religious Freedom
Religious freedom is a fundamental human right that protects every Utahn’s right to live, speak, and act according to their beliefs peacefully and publicly. I know that religious freedom is critical to the health of a diverse society and I am ready and willing to protect all religions because I know the good of our society depends upon the ability of citizens to exercise their personal beliefs within the framework of the law.
Abortion
I believe so strongly in the sanctity of life — all life. This includes the unborn — real lives without voices to defend themselves. I’m unequivocal in my views that as a society we must value and protect the rights of the unborn. I also fully acknowledge the complexity and ethical ambiguity of any issue that binds the rights of two distinct humans so tightly together. For this reason, I fully support a woman’s right to choose the best course of action in cases that involve rape, incest, or health risk. The factors that go into weighty decisions such as these are complex and emotional, and oversimplifying this issue, as with any other, is damaging and degrading to value-driven voters on both sides.
The 2nd Amendment
I am a staunch supporter of 2nd Amendment rights because my governmental philosophy is rooted in the Constitution. We are one of only three countries in the entire world that enshrines the right to keep and bear arms in our founding documents. Because of this, gun violence is a uniquely American problem and requires a uniquely American solution that protects the rights of law-abiding gun owners. Protecting our schools, churches, communities, and homes requires a multi-faceted approach that addresses mental health, equips law enforcement, empowers educators, secures schools, and promotes data-driven gun solutions that don’t violate constitutional rights or individual due process.
Practical Solutions
Good Governance
Most of us agree: Washington is broken. Politicians pander for money, rotate around extreme talk shows spewing sound bites, and spend their time and taxpayer money arguing about House and Senate procedural rules. They deal in extremes, ignoring the complexities and nuances of policies, and spend more time fighting their opponents than solving problems.
It’s time to elect representatives who are more invested in their community than in their next fundraising event. Who spend more time learning from experts and listening to constituents than they do shouting at the camera on network news.
Tech & The Future
Our economy is changing constantly. New, innovative technologies bring changes in labor demands, educational gaps, the need for regulation reform and creation, and evolving trade relationships. I believe the free exchange of ideas and goods in a global economy benefits everyone, but we need to ensure the playing field is even, and that other countries respect and abide by IP and data privacy laws and trade agreements in a way that’s fair to everyone.
Tech companies wield unprecedented power through the global reach of their platforms and influence. I respect their rights as private enterprises to make decisions without fear of governmental interference. I also know we have many unanswered questions about the role of government in overseeing Tech ethics, media bias, monopolization, and data privacy. Technology brings new challenges, and we need to elect representatives who are willing to learn and legislate through the ambiguity.
The Environment
Being good stewards of this earth is a priority for Utahns across the political spectrum, and it will be for me. Now is the time to decide what kind of planet we’ll leave for our children and their children. Impactful environmentally-friendly technologies and advancements are most often the product of innovative companies in the private sector. While some governmental oversight is necessary, conservatives understand that the best solutions for our planet will come from the private sector– not from the government. It’s not just good business to protect the environment — it’s the right thing to do.
Jobs
As a successful businessman, I know what it takes to foster an environment where jobs can be created and workers can thrive. I know that hard working Utahns are taxed and regulated enough. The best way to keep high paying jobs here at home in Utah is to eliminate unnecessary regulations, support free trade, and to partner with state and local leaders to create an environment where business can prosper. I will promote business-friendly policies, support our local leaders in creating jobs, and allow American businesses to compete in a global marketplace.
Securing the Border
As a nation founded by immigrants, we should embrace hardworking individuals who come to the United States looking to start a better and new life to contribute to our society. However, secure borders are essential to our national security and sovereignty. Immigration reform must include putting the safety and security of the American people first. We must work closely with neighboring countries to stem illegal immigration, human trafficking, and drug smuggling, both at our southern border, and at their source. I support legal immigration and believe we can humanely secure the border with common sense solutions.
Education
It is incumbent upon all of us as Utahns to ensure that the next generation has every possible opportunity to reach for their dreams and realize their full potential in an increasingly global economy. One-size-fits-all policies from Washington don’t work in our local schools. I believe that Utah parents and teachers know best how local students learn and succeed. We need leaders who will bring parents and teachers to the table to find solutions that empower both groups and bring choice, transparency, accountability, and equity to our educational system. I will fight for increased STEM education funding and to make sure education dollars go to teachers and classrooms, not bureaucrats in Washington, D.C.
Healthcare & Drug Pricing
Utah families should be able to make their own decisions regarding their health care. Free market principles in healthcare ultimately lead to lower prices and higher quality. A lack of price transparency in healthcare holds consumers hostage to powerful providers and insurance giants, and limits their freedom to make the healthcare choices that are best for them. It is well past time that we offer a practical solution that actually lowers drug costs while ensuring that new cures can reach Utahns battling disease and illness. Healthcare proposals that advocate for a complete government takeover of healthcare – like single payer – would threaten private insurance and drastically increase taxes. We need to improve the quality and affordability of critical health services for every Utahn. I believe in market-driven solutions that give all of us the healthcare we deserve.
Congressional Accountability
I support term limits. As a conservative, I wish we could count on the free market of elections to keep new ideas and new perspectives flowing toward Washington. But the reality is that things like campaign finance, gerrymandering, and hyper-partisan politics have created an environment where new ideas and candidates rarely gain traction against Washington’s money-printing machine. And the people who have the power to change the rules are the ones who are threatened by a level playing field. Because of this, I support term limits for federal offices: two senate terms, and six House terms in aggregate. Additionally, I will support legislation that requires federal officers to abide by their own laws, and reduces exorbitant and costly benefits and pensions for our elected officials that cost taxpayers their hard-earned money and perpetuate a broken system.