I hear this question from time to time: “What’s the Purpose of a Democrat Running in a Republican District?” HD44 is largely a Republican House District at 49.4% of voters registered as R’s. And I have responses, but the number one response from me is that my step into politics is because the “our” in our voice needs to be represented.
I am a candidate who is the right person, in the right place, with the right message. You can find my stance on issues at https://utah44.com/issues/.
- I am running against Jordan Teuscher, who is consistently anti-union, and actively legislates against workers rights that negatively affect teachers, public workers, and the unions that represent them. He has supported bills that degrade state career-service employees to at-will status. I support the right to organize, and to establish collective bargaining for both public and private employees. I also support a national bill to pass the Protecting the Rights to Organize (PRO) Act that will expand labor protections for employees’ rights to organize and for collective bargaining in the workplace.
- Jordan actively votes against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) supports, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing. Jordan is party to the overall “chilling” effect in Utah over racial equity, LGBTQ+ supports, trans rights, and promoting bias. I support diversity initiatives and strongly defend marginalized communities and environmental programs.
- Jordan is a proponent of vouchers that bleed our public school funding. I support our public school system, and believe that teachers and school administrators need to be allowed to do their good work without interference from the legislature. I support pay increases and retention programs that incentives to keep teachers in our schools.
- Jordan actively votes against pro-choice. I support women’s rights for safe abortion access. I also support school curriculums that provide age-appropriate instruction on sex education that is not based on “abstinence only”.
- According to the Alliance for a Better Utah, Jordan Teuscher receives an “F” rating for the 2023 legislative session.
I am a candidate serving the community, and not serving myself.
- I am not using candidacy as a means to promote myself, or to gain wealth.
- I am not beholden to any business or religious interests. I am representing the people in my district and statewide constituents.
- I am not hyping blockchain or crypto, or any other means of hiding dark money.
- I believe a rising tide lifts all boats.
- I believe in discourse, and working together when building solutions.
- See my blog post at https://utah44.com/the-am-and-am-not-of-my-campaign/
Even if not elected, I can help shape the voice of politics. I can help shape change:
- Promote upstream and downstream party candidates.
- Raise topics, change discourse and impact platforms.
- Encourage voting and representation for our party.
- Listen, respond and represent the voice of constituents (make the voice of people heard). Recognize that the legislature isn’t balanced to represent constituent interests.
- Challenge partisanship. Talk directly about issues.
- Resist. There are slews of anti-DEI bills introduced by a primarily conservative congress attempt to overwhelm.
I have enough shared experience and humility to know that I should listen and understand before I speak, and that my actions affect a community that I love and have much respect for. I hope that you will stand with me.