Category: campaign

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Bingham Creek Library Republican Townhall

PREFACE

On Saturday, September 28, Sen Lincoln Fillmore, Rep Susan Pulsipher, and Rep Jordan Teuscher held a townhall at Bingham Creek Library in West Jordan. The recording we captured is below, and starts at question #3 because we arrived late. I start with my own comments before linking audio, and leading into a summary of the discussion.

MY TOP PRIORITIES
My obvious first objective is to unseat Jordan Teuscher. Having said that, my top priorities for 2025 would be as follows, noting that in the past Utah’s General Session is 6 weeks of responding to bad ideas:

  1. Support redress following a court decision on LWV Utah v. Utah State Legislature by re-implementing the Independent Redistricting Commission, then implementing maps based on their recommendations before 2026 elections begin
  2. Address government overreach (citizen initiatives, defend constitutional checks and balances, private access to medical, first amendment)
  3. Address Prioritization of bills
    • When infrastructure bills are seconded to who is allowed to use a bathroom, we have a problem. When books are banned in public schools, when phones are banned but guns aren’t, we have a problem
    • When “good enough to get by” isn’t, we have a problem
  4. Support our public schools
    • Support their funding, support the teachers, support the librarians to do their jobs.
  5. Improve cost and quality of living
    • cost of living (rent/affordable homes), clean air, public access, transit, services
    • infrastructure project funding and provisions
    • address wait lists for disability programs (DSPD, Medically Complex Children’s Waiver, Assistive Technology)

AMENDMENT D

On Amendment D, the Utah Supreme Court said:
“The peoples’ right to alter or reform the government is constitutionally protected”

  • There are no “superlaws”. There have never been any foreign interests introducing legislation through Citizen Initiatives into Utah
  • The Utah Supreme Court noted that the Legislature cannot overturn or repeal an initiative without a compelling reason
  • Utah is 2nd to Wyoming in the nation for restrictions on passing a citizens initiative
  • In 2018 there were 3 ballot initiatives: Redistricting, Medicaid Expansion, Medical Marijuana. None of them were implemented as passed.
  • There is a national trend in Republican states to make it harder to pass initiatives.

LWVU v. LEGISLATURE
“Therefore, we hold that when Utahns exercise their right to reform the government through a citizen initiative, their exercise of these rights is protected from government infringement. This means that government-reform initiatives are constitutionally protected from unfettered legislative amendment, repeal, or replacement. Although the Legislature has authority to amend or repeal statutes, it is well settled that legislative action cannot unduly infringe or restrain the exercise of constitutional rights. Consequently, when Utahns exercise their right to reform the government through an initiative, this limits the Legislature’s authority to amend or repeal the initiative. This does not mean that the Legislature cannot amend a government-reform initiative at all.Rather, legislative changes that facilitate or support the reform, or at least do not impair the reform enacted by the people, would not implicate the people’s rights under the Alter or Reform Clause. Legislative changes that do impair the reforms enacted by the people could also survive a constitutional challenge, if the Legislature shows that they were narrowly tailored to advance a compelling government interest.”

2024 BALLOT QUESTIONS

  • County Proposal 8 – FOR – reauthorization of the 0.1% ZAP tax
  • SLCO Bond $507M ($60/YR over 25 Years) – FOR
  • Amendment A – voided by the Utah Supreme Court on October 9, 2024
  • Amendment B – FOR – State School Fund from 4% to 5%
  • Amendment C – AGAINST – County Sheriff elections (currently elected in the state, not necessary to enshrine in Utah Constitution)
  • Amendment D – voided by the Utah Supreme Court on September 25, 2024

FEDERAL LANDS
I think my time in office is going to be better spent on helping constituents in a more direct way like mental health services, education, housing etc.

Responding to comments from Sen Lincoln Fillmore about reclaiming the 70% of federal lands in Utah:

  1. Does getting back the 70% mean they want to get rid of Utah tourism money to the National Parks? How do we pay for the management of the lands?
  2. Does the 70% figure also include military bases like Hill and Dugway? Are we getting rid of those too?
  3. How will we keep lands public and at the same time increase our tax base?
  4. How will Federal jobs be affected? What is the plan to help all the people affected?
  5. Where is the money to cover lost resources? Are we going to buy them or rent them back? Like the 31 engines and multiple firefighting helicopters from the BLM? https://www.blm.gov/programs/fire/regional-info/utah

TOWNHALL QUESTIONS (RECORDED)

Q3: On Citizen Initiatives

  • Pulsipher – Legislative Process doesn’t mention appropriations and rules
  • Audience comment: “open” is not truly open when a supermajority owns priority and calendar
  • Fillmore – we’ve spent time on this, lets move on
  • Teuscher – brings up Social Media bill, thinks its a high risk. Wasn’t there in 2018 for the passing of initiatives, but legislature “compromised” the bill after it was passed, same with medical marijuana

Q4: On Better Boundaries
There is no parity for Utahns with redistricting where districts became “safe for Republicans”, that disenfranchised voters

  • Fillmore: who thinks that Prop4 Redistricting was going to be fair? Prop4 created the independent legislature, but no provision to adopt. Did the legislature following the intent of the voters? Fillmore scuttles the question
  • Fillmore: Medical Marijuana would have legalized recreational marijuana
  • Fillmore: REDIRECTS TOPIC – talks about Federal govt, Federal deficit, issue is 70% of land owned by Fed, no property tax, tries to tie this to education and property taxes.
    What about Amendment A?
    Audience comment: Federal Lands has nothing to do with Better Boundaries decision by Utah Supreme Court
  • Pulsipher: the legislature voted on it
    Audience comment: The *Supermajority
  • Fillmore: We answered the question
  • Pulsipher: something, something, “my reasons”
  • Teuscher: go to your legislator, worked on Salt Lake County, it’s a puzzle, didn’t like that his street could have been split but acknowledges others are impacted in exactly the same way.

Q5: Why is there such a disconnect between citizen initiatives and the legislature? Why would the Citizen’s Initiative pass, then have such little relation to what the legislature passes?

  • Pulsipher: In my years I have never had anyone approach to work with me beforehand (???) Why would she be approached if she won’t be friendly to the bill?
  • Fillmore: power allocation; “Voters elect, have initiative and referendum power” Doesn’t mention that the Utah Constitution says that legislative power is shared with the legislature AND the people. Doesn’t mention the Utah Courts disagree with Legislative overreach.
  • Fillmore: Federally, marijuana will likely reschedule in 2026 from schedule 1 to schedule 3 (note: marijuana has been available for several years as a prescription for epilepsy, it’s called Epidiolex)

Q6: Utah best qualities? Gov Cox says its the people of Utah

  • Fillmore: culture, families, volunteerism, charitable giving, good state policies. Likes to think it’s the church’s influence. Legislative staff is non-partisan, works for both houses.
  • Teuscher: Social capital. Good state processes, staff
  • Pulsipher: balanced budget is constitutional

Q7: On Amendment A
Education account – wants it to be used for other purposes, why?

  • Fillmore: voted to place it on ballot. The “problem” is income tax is growing, faster than population. General fund doesn’t have enough. Cut Medicaid or building roads, or public funds? (this is a lie) Gas tax, sales tax is shrinking.
  • Pulsipher: 2008 downturn of economy, taxes down so education cut, income tax is volatile. If you lose your job you still have to buy food, pay property taxes, more stable. (another lie about instability driving the trust fund – the fund has grown from $18 million in 1983 to over $3.3 billion in 2024)
  • Speaker: you’re changing the constitution, trying to open money to other spending

Q8: Venezuelan gang related shootings, suppressed in news, 100 ESL students in Jordan District schools that required the hire of additional staff, Utah as a sanctuary state, what are we doing about immigration?
Note: I’m sorry, but what?

  • Teuscher: Thinks it’s an issue. Emailing for details with Jordan School District but they are only providing aggregated data due to privacy concerns.
  • Audience comment: proud that we welcome immigrants who want to better their lives

Q9: Education: money going in vs audit of outcome?

  • Fillmore: Auditor monitors performance, this is measured
  • Audience comment: Graduation rate for Salt Lake County? (Jordan District was 88% – 2023) and more recent behavior problems in schools?
  • Note of interest: vouchers weren’t mentioned, but are not audited once funds are distributed.

Q10: On Traffic

  • Need infrastructure to accommodate growth, need East/West commute capacity
  • Fillmore: Bangerter to remove lights, MVC will take longer
  • Pulsipher: Bangerter is fast-tracked with extra money from COVID spending
  • Teuscher: looking for expansions on Redline Trax, bus services (improvements in public transit). There are 2 lines in South Jordan, but no bus service in Herriman or Bluffdale
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Revolution Roadtrip

I started this campaign for Utah House District 44 on January 5 as a first time candidate. I’m running for positive change and better representation. Your vote on Nov 5 can be revolutionary.

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Stay Diligent, Stay Active, Vote, Vote, Vote

Sirsy “Revolution” – lyrics here

2026 is going to be another politically charged election year, the foundation of which is being laid now. Amendment D was made void by the Utah Supreme Court yesterday, but expectations are that we’ll see it resurface in 2026. Another impactful decision made this week is for a district court hearing date of April 2026 to decide the suit on Utah’s abortion ban. This means that the injunction that allows abortion up to 18 weeks will remain in place through April 2026 when the case is heard. The other big issue that will carry over to the next election is the August decision by the Utah Supreme Court to allow a lower district court to rule on Redistricting, which is expected to pass.

Here’s What to Expect

Supermajority leadership is probably freaking out right now. You can expect four things to come from them in the next two years:

  1. Amendment D is not going away. At the soonest opportunity, it will come back as a ballot initiative in 2026 if the current leaders can make it happen. Republican leadership wants to change the Utah constitution to limit the will of the people, and effectively neuter Citizen Initiatives by allowing the legislature to override successful ballot measures.
  2. As a result of recent court decisions, the legislature will also look at ways it can reduce or limit judicial authority. They aren’t happy that their over-reach was checked. Their contempt is obvious in recent letters that unfairly admonish the courts, who reminded the legislature that they are accountable for government over-reach.
  3. The 2025 general session is expected to be filled with bills that introduce additional bans on abortion. These bills will attempt to affect the injunction in some way
  4. Once the redistricting suit is settled (expect that the lower courts will judge in favor of redistricting, and that will be appealed to the Utah Supreme Court), the legislature will do everything in its capacity to delay the redistricting process. A new independent redistricting commission will have to be set up and funded. New maps will be proposed, and the supermajority will drag its feet to make sure that the redistricting doesn’t happen before the 2026 election cycle. It’s very likely that we’ll have to submit another lawsuit against the Utah legislature to implement the court decision in time for new boundaries to be published for 2026 elections.

The supermajority in our Utah legislature believes that it isn’t beholden to anyone, and they have plans to keep scrapping with everyone, picking fights with the Feds, picking fights with Utah courts, and picking fights with Utah voters. Their goal is autocratic power for their vindictive, thin-skinned, power-hungry coalition of legislators. But we can stop them.

Vote Them Out

We are at the end of the 2024 election cycle, but the most important act you can do as a citizen is still pending – to vote up and down the ballot. Be informed, know the candidates, and vote for all of the races on your ballot, and be willing to vote out the bad actors who are actively working against the interests of We, the People.

  • Teuscher is an acolyte of the legislative supermajority, and needs to be voted out. He is a primary sponsor of copy/paste legislation that works against the freedoms of Utah voters, and he was the floor sponsor of the bill for Amendment D that would have stripped our voter rights. We need to unseat people like him and fill those seats with candidates who will defend our rights and keep us free of the kind of government interference that we are seeing from them.
  • Talk to your neighbors about important votes that will appear on the ballot, and make sure they know what’s at stake in this election. If you need talking points, you can refer to https://utah44.com/decision-time/
  • If you have time, volunteer with a campaign at https://mobilize.us/utahdemocrats, or contact Utah State Democrats or Salt Lake County Democrats to find ways that you can help.

Stay Engaged

We are winning battles, but the fight isn’t over.

None of this is easy, but it matters greatly to be involved and to be part of positive change. If we don’t fight to defend our rights, and if we don’t actively engage, then we give ground.

I started this article with a video of one of my favorite bands Sirsy playing “Revolution”.
Make it take an army to back you down / ‘Cause life’s marching on it’s not waiting ‘round/ So get up, get off it, and break some ground / Make your own revolution

Don’t lose the focus. When we fight, we win.

Let me say it again. When we fight. we win.

Now let’s go fight.

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Life Lessons

1987. St George, British Columbia on my way to California

I was talking to someone today about “moments that change who you are”. I want to share a few experiences of mine that shaped who I am.

Lesson 1: Know Who You Are

My formative years were spent in Wasilla, Alaska. I was taking a US History class with Jeanne Krause as a student at Wasilla High School, and it was in her class that a challenge was given that I will never forget. She asked the class to describe one of our political beliefs. Then she asked why we believed it, and she kept asking us why. This is a concept of business inquiry called the “five whys” that attempts to discover a root cause/issue of a problem. I didn’t know that back then, but I eventually understood what she was doing. She was pushing us to really think about political stances we had adopted, and question whether those stances would, in fact, hold water when compared against our actual values. I was able to listen to other students describe their justifications, whether they actually explored the reasons or simply held firm without reflecting on “why”. I also had to think about my own stances, recognize what I was familiar with, what I might have simply accepted because it was convention, what I knew, and more importantly what I didn’t know but had assumptions about. It was an uncomfortable discussion, but I learned that I was responsible for questioning and testing my own perceptions. I learned that my opinion mattered. And I learned that part of growing up was becoming critical of assumptions and making choices based on my own values, that might conflict with others. I’m grateful to Ms. Krause for pushing us to look inward and outward.

I mention it here because we are in a really polarized election period, and it’s important that we (all of us) are thinking about our root values and making decisions based on what matters most to us.

Lesson 2: Do Something

When I was 12 my mother was diagnosed with an aggressive form of Multiple Sclerosis, and it had devastating impact on her life and for our family. One of the biggest changes for us was the relative abandonment of my mother’s friends, and of our church family. My mother had always sought a church where we lived. She started as a Methodist in her home town, and my earliest recollection was attending a Lutheran church when we lived in Minnesota. When we moved to Alaska she started at the Lutheran church in Petersburg, but found services uninspiring. We eventually settled into a membership with the Assemblies of God, and after another move to the mainland, found another AOG church. She loved to sing, and the song worship was one of the best parts of going to there.

When my mother was diagnosed, it seemed like everything changed. Friends would check in at first, but eventually dropped away. The church offered to help drive us to services, but it wasn’t dependable. My mother, with a wheelchair and kids in tow, were too much for any long commitment from other churchgoers. When we attended, one of the key messages that we would repeatedly hear was that if my mother truly asked god for forgiveness for her sins, he would heal her; that the endowment of the holy spirit upon her was a sign of her faith, and it was through god that she could live again. We heard this from the pastor, from the visiting pastors, from faith healers, and from the churches we were directed to when theirs didn’t work. In one of the last visits to a church, they were laying hands on my mother and yelling at her, commanding the demons to leave her body so that she could accept Christ. They tried to pick her up from her wheelchair to walk, but she couldn’t. As her 14 year old son, it was heartbreaking to watch this. When they were done the pastor told me that I had the patience of Job. I have never felt the urge to punch someone in the face more than at that time.

It was during this very difficult time in my life that I learned how cruel people can be, even when it’s unintentional. The church was not an answer. I was forced to become a caretaker for my sick mother at a very young age, and I also became a caretaker for my younger siblings. I learned by going through my own very difficult childhood that if I didn’t do the work, there would be no-one to do it for you.

I learned that bad things can happen to good people. I also learned that prayers only go so far. Prayers, if you believe in them, should lead to reflection, which should lead to resolution, which should lead to action.

The lesson here was and always will be to do something. For me, that meant running for office; and this year it means being informed and voting for change you want to see.

Lesson 3: Kindness Exists

When I was 19, and after my mother was moved to a long-term care facility, I wanted to escape by moving to California to attend college. When I left home, my father told me that I would “come crawling back” and refused to say goodbye. I was angry when I left home, and I was determined that I would not go back. Within a semester, my roommate who traveled with me gave up and asked his parents to come back home. I was alone, poor, working part time and trying to go to college. I couldn’t afford the apartment, and a room rental I had arranged after my roommate left fell through unexpectedly, and I suddenly had nothing. I found a room to rent from Helen, a bar owner who rented to divorced dads and heroine addicts who were in recovery, and I was grateful for the space because I had a room with a lock on the door, and it was my safe space. A friend of one of my sisters showed up unexpectedly; she was supposed to stay with me for two weeks and travel home. After several months, a disconnected phone for hundreds of dollars in long-distance calls, and wrecking my car, she was gone.

I was young, and poor, and angry. I had to drop out of school because I had to earn money for rent and food. I didn’t have a car. I had no friends, and felt like anyone who I met wanted something. The situation changed, but it wasn’t overnight.

  • My first job in California was working night security at Eden hospital. On my first night I was holding doors for the ambulance arrival of a vehicle accident that took place on the San Mateo bridge, and there were several injured that arrived and needed to be unloaded. A nurse was triaging patients and asked me to hold a baby (uninjured) that was in the party. The baby stopped crying as I held her, so she told me my job was to continue holding the baby. Seeing the trauma, but holding this infant was unforgettable.
  • Another job was working mornings as a stable person/groomer/trainer at Fairview Arabian Farms. The owner Marilyn was another parent figure who I learned to trust and talk with. She was kind, and she was someone who encouraged me to stick with it and be hopeful.
  • I was offered a job at a bank after working a couple of nights as a temp to conduct a phone survey. The bank manager heard me talking to customers and decided I was worth investing in. It was the first time that worked around other employees who really cared and looked after each other. It was also where I succumbed to watching soap operas (specifically Loving) so I could keep up with office chatter.
  • At that job, a bank manager who checked in on me as a father figure. He was Hindi. I knew nothing about his background, but he made sure to talk to me about life and our passage through it. I am grateful for him recognizing that I needed someone who could counsel and guide me.
  • I met an insurance agent who became a father figure to me when he recognized that I was struggling to make ends meet. He had a sardonic sense of humor (his regular joke was “better you than me, @$$hole” when he was listening to clients filing claims) but he was always kind, and he looked out for others.

It took a long time to get my feet under me, and I wouldn’t be where I am without the people who stopped to see me and do more than look past me. I am truly grateful for their kindness, and what it meant to me.

Lesson 4: Life Happens

Things go well, until they don’t. How you respond when things don’t go well is a testament to who you are as a person, the burdens you carry, and what shaped you. How you respond to others when things don’t go well for them is about your empathy, willingness to listen and understand, maturity, patience, with very likely some tolerance thrown in.

You have heard about #disagreebetter in Utah politics. That hashtag is used with sarcasm more than for encouraging real discussion. Know that how you respond, and how you respond to others matters.

Summary

Today is September 19, which means there are 26 days until mail-in ballots are sent out, and 47 days to the November 5 election. We’ve had some crazy turmoil in the elections, some of it good, some of it bad.

  • Know Who You Are, and know what matters most to you.
  • Do Something. Learn about candidates (it’s why I’m writing this) and what they stand for.
  • Seek to be Kind. Don’t make decisions based on fear and anger.
  • Know that Life Happens. This year has been a travesty in Utah politics. But there is something that you can do about it.

Be informed, and get ready to vote.

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It’s Decision Time

ELECTION DAY IS AROUND THE CORNER

For South Jordan and West Jordan residents who are part of House District 44, you have an important decision to make when casting your vote for House Representative.

My opponent was the house sponsor for Amendment D to steal voter rights away from Utah voters. He takes his constituency for granted and is doing nothing for District voters, while ingratiating himself with conservative national think tanks. He passes legislation that ends up in costly court battles that are ultimately lost, and leaving taxpayers to foot the bill. His recent focus has been to strip constitutional rights of voters, weakening the rights of public employees, attacking our system of public education, and indoctrinating school curriculum.

We need a legislator who will represent ALL of our constituents, who will listen and respond to the local issues that matter to us. We are better when we work together, and I’m asking for your vote this November.

Reading on mobile? Use landscape mode to view columns

Greg Green

Jordan Teuscher

Summary

I’m a first time candidate with an objective to unseat Teuscher and stop the flow of really bad legislation that he introduces. When elected, I intend to work with like-minded legislators and the minority caucus in the House to prioritize, support and pass legislation that focuses on local issues important to Utahns. I am committed to listening to voters to better represent issues that matter here. I am also committed to protecting the rights of all Utah constituents.

Summary

The current house representative elected in 2020, who is part of the legislative supermajority taking rights from voters. His issues are moving further to the right, and he is becoming obsessed with control (see the bills he sponsored below). Consistently submits bills to dismantle worker rights. Does not support women’s rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, or religious freedom. Several of his bills resulted in expensive litigation paid by taxpayers.

2025 Priorities

  • Address government over-reach. Protect voter rights and voter access. Support Better Boundaries initiative to restore fair districting.
  • Invest in our system of public schools. We need to stop legislating and politicizing our public school systems.
  • Support legislation that strengthens labor laws and improves worker rights.
  • Improve private and accessible medical care. A person’s healthcare is a conversation between a patient and their doctor, full stop.
  • Resolve the issue of Medicaid funding, address waivers that do not sufficiently allow full Medicaid expansion in the state. Fix gaps in eligibility for disability coverage.
  • Mental health services and drug treatment programs are critical for many Utahns, including a significant portion of our homeless population.
  • Infrastructure for Southern Utah roads, bridges and railways
  • Expand accessible commute options for North-South and East-West travel along the Wasatch Front
  • Seek owner accountability for unsecured firearms that are part of an injury, death or criminal action

2024 Legislative Actions

Profession

  • Program Manager/Business Analyst

Profession

  • Attorney

Affiliations/Memberships

  • Utah State Democratic Party, 2024 National Delegate
  • Utah State Democratic Party, House District 44 Vice Chair
  • Utah Developmental Disabilities Council (UDDC), Member
  • Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities (LCPD), Member
  • NAACP, Member
  • Special Olympics, Athlete Parent

Known Engagements/Donors

  • ALEC – the right wing lobbyists who meet with legislators behind closed doors, and a source of copy/paste legislation (including bills introduced by Jordan Teuscher)
  • Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) – whose focus is to push, repackage and franchise conservative ideas to implement
  • Teuscher accepted money from Young Americans for Liberty, a group with extensive ties to White Nationalist activists

Endorsements
https://utah44.com/endorsements/

  • Labor: Utah AFL-CIO; American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME); Utah Public Employees Association; American Federation of Teachers (AFT-Utah); LiUNA Laborers’ Local 295; Operating Engineers Local 3; United Steel Workers Local 392; Teamsters Local 222; UA Local 140; United Mine Workers (UMWA D22), SMART-TD Union
  • Schools: Utah Education Association (UEA) PAC; Jordan Education Association; Utah Parents for Teachers
  • Religious Freedom: Center for Freethought Equality PAC
  • Caucuses: Womens’ Democratic Club of Utah; Disability Caucus; Black Caucus; Hispanic Caucus; Asian Pacific Islander Caucus; Progressive Caucus; Stonewall Caucus; Environmental Caucus

Distinctions

  • Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate
  • 2024 Mental Health Now Candidate

ARE THINGS FINE? YOUR VOTE IS YOUR VOICE.

The current state of legislation in Utah.
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I’m Asking For Your Help

My name is Greg Green, I’m running to become the state representative in Utah House District 44, and I’m asking for your engagement.

  • It’s one month before mail-in ballots go out on October 15.
  • It’s less than two months before the November 5 elections.

This is the time that I truly need your help, and there are many things that will make a difference.

  • Lead a walk to canvass in your precinct
  • Distribute literature by doing Lit Drops with my door hangers
  • Place a sign in your yard or window, and help me host sign pickups
  • Talk to your neighbors, and text your in-district friends
  • Follow @green4utah on twitter, insta, threads, and facebook to like, repost and interact with me
  • Host a house party
  • More than ever, help me get voters to the ballots

My calendar is posted at https://utah44.com/get-involved/

WHO AM I?

  • I will defend Utah’s constitution, and Utahns legislative right to representation
  • I support employee fair wages and benefits, safe work environments, education and the right to organize
  • I believe in working across aisles to build good legislation for all
  • I support private access to medical care. The government needs to stay out of the doctor’s office
  • I support public schools, inclusive environments for ALL of our students, and trust librarians
  • I’m a first time candidate. I have a whole bunch of endorsements behind me because groups believe that I can make a change
  • I will ALWAYS defend voter access and mail-in ballots

WHO IS MY OPPONENT (Jordan Teuscher)?

  • He is the floor sponsor of SJR401/Amendment D that takes away voter rights
  • He sponsored HB285 to weaken public employee unions for firefighters, police, state, county and municipal employees, and our teachers
  • He calls the Utah Supreme Court “liberal” for ruling to allow Better Boundaries to pursue their gerrymandering case
  • He doesn’t believe that women should have control of their own bodies
  • He supports vouchers that are pulling money from public schools
  • He takes money from Young Americans for Liberty, a group with ties to White Nationalists
  • He is a copy/paste legislator. He works with groups like ALEC, the right wing lobbyists who meet with legislators behind closed doors, and the Foundation for Gov’t Accountability (FGA) whose focus is to push, repackage & franchise conservative agendas
  • Alliance for a Better Utah rates him with an “F” in 2024

I want to flip this seat. I know that it’s a long shot but this is an extraordinary election season. Teuscher is taking his constituency for granted and is doing nothing for the voters of our District, while ingratiating himself with conservative national think tanks. We need a voice, we need representation, we need someone in the legislature who will work for us, the people.

When we work together, change is possible.

Thank you.

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Response: NRA-PVF

I’m not interested in this endorsement because the NRA does not represent responsible and accountable gun ownership. Their PAC actively works against the better interests of our citizenry.

The NRA sells fear.

What’s interesting is that their survey fails to address owner accountability. In Utah during the month of August-September 2024, 3 children were shot and 2 subsequently died as a result of finding unsecured, loaded firearms. Question #13 of the survey (owners of lost/stolen weapons to be held blameless) is the closest the NRA will get to negligent storage of a firearm.

For transparency, I completed answers (but did not submit) the National Rifle Association – Political Victory Fund 2024 NRA-PVF Utah Candidate Questionnaire so that my positions on these questions can be shared with constituents.

Message from NRA-PVF (ilastateaffairs@nrahq.org)
Dear Utah Candidate,

The 2024 Utah Primary Election is right around the corner, and our members want to hear about you regarding your stance on the Second Amendment.

As America’s foremost defender of our Second Amendment rights, the NRA, since its inception, has been the premier firearms education organization in the world. Our continued leadership is due to the tireless service of our millions of members that have championed Second Amendment rights and NRA programs throughout the nation.

NRA members are deeply involved in the democratic process at all levels of government. It is important for them to learn about your commitment to preserving and protecting their Second Amendment rights. The 2024 Utah NRA-PVF Candidate Questionnaire can be found above by clicking on the Review & Sign button. Candidate questionnaires are not released to the public, but the information derived from them is used to determine candidate ratings, which are communicated to our members. Please take the time to fill out and return this survey as soon as possible, so we can let our members know your positions on these important issues.

If you choose not to return a questionnaire, you may be assigned a “?” rating, which can be interpreted by our members as indifference, if not outright hostility, toward Second Amendment-related issues.

Should you have questions concerning the questionnaire or the rating process, please contact me at (564) 236-9746 or KHopkins@nrahq.org.

Thank you for your prompt attention, and best of luck in the upcoming election!
Sincerely,

Keely Hopkins
Utah State Director

Please mark the best and most appropriate response that aligns with your views.

1. Do you agree that the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees the fundamental, individual right to keep and bear arms for all law-abiding Americans? (Yes/No)

x No, it is not a guarantee. Like all rights, the 2nd amendment is not limitless. It says that “a well regulated militia” (i.e. a military force that is raised from the civil population) is necessary.

  • What about the “well regulated” part?
  • What “Arms” should be defined as belonging to the citizenry?
  • What fundamental right does this grant to an individual?
  • Does one person’s fundamental right to bear Arms supercede another person’s fundamental right to a safe community?
  • The “right of the people” does not presume individual ownership.
  • The question states that the right should be for law-abiding citizens, but the 2a doesn’t say that, it says “the right of the people”. Do you disagree that the right of the people is all people who are US citizens?

I want responsible, accountable gun ownership with regulation, and a common acceptance that defense is for the mutual benefit of a free state, not gun hoarding, not fanaticism, not Battle Royale.

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. – U.S. Constitution – Second Amendment

2. Firearm registration is a system in which a government agency maintains immediately accessible records of specific firearms owned by individual citizens. Current federal law prohibits the creation of a federal firearm registration system (other than the existing registration requirement for machineguns and short-barreled rifles and shotguns). Firearm registration has led to gun bans and confiscation in the United States (California and New York City) and abroad (Australia and Great Britain). Do you support requiring firearm owners to register their firearms with a government agency? (Yes/No)

x No. Utah does not require firearm owners to register their firearms.

3. Statewide preemption laws ensure that the state controls firearm regulations, and prevents counties, cities, and other municipalities from passing a “patchwork” of more restrictive and conflicting local laws throughout the state. Do you support Utah’s firearms preemption law? (Yes/No)

x No.

4. In 1994, President Bill Clinton signed a 10-year ban on the importation and manufacture for sale to private persons of nearly 200 models of semi-automatic firearms and ammunition magazines that could hold more than 10 rounds. This became known as the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban. Federal studies determined the ban had no measurable effect on crime, and it was allowed to expire in 2004. Do you support a similar ban on semi-automatic firearms in Utah? (Yes/No)

x It’s complicated. Certain firearms are not for hunting, sport, or personal defense. Those weapons should qualify for restrictions that are reasonable. Additional modifications, regardless of the actuating mechanism, that can turn a firearm into an automatic weapon also need to be restricted.

5. While there is no evidence that limiting the capacity of an ammunition magazine has any impact on reducing crime or increasing public safety, some states are introducing legislation to restrict the possession, ownership, purchase, sale, and/or transfer of ammunition magazines by limiting the number of rounds of ammunition a magazine can hold. Many of these magazines are sold standard with firearms and are commonly-owned. Do you support banning the possession, ownership, purchase, sale, and/or transfer of magazines based on their size? (Yes/No)

x No.

6. Efforts at the state level are increasingly targeting access to ammunition, with proposals to ban mail order sales, require background checks and point-of-sale record-keeping, eliminate traditional lead shot, ration purchases, and even restrict the amount of ammunition that may be possessed at one time. Most of these proposals at the state level aim to punish law-abiding people who practice, train, and participate in recreational shooting activities. Do you support new restrictions on the purchase and possession of ammunition beyond current law? (Yes/No, if Yes, list restrictions)

x Yes, however I disagree that these suggestions are punishment. Ideally we need to phase out lead ammunition used for hunting with a cost effective, more environmentally safe bullet that doesn’t poison scavenger species. This is something that should be introduced within the market and not legislated. Regarding sales tracking, how on earth are you planning to get around that? Internet history, cookies, site accounts, sales records, forums, etc already provide a wealth of information to anyone who wants to look for it.

7. Currently, it is legal for adults over the age of 18 to purchase and possess long guns. Some argue the age to buy rifles and shotguns should be increased to 21. This would effectively deny law-abiding adults, ages 18 to 20, their Second Amendment rights. Do you support raising the age for the purchase of rifles and shotguns to 21 years of age? (Yes/No)

x I support restrictions of firearm sales based on the type of weapon sold that would apply to all buyers.

8. A foundational principle of the American judicial system is the guarantee that an individual is entitled to due process – including notice of the relevant accusations, the opportunity to appear at a hearing before a neutral judge, the opportunity to present evidence in his or her favor, and access to legal representation before they can be stripped of a Constitutional right. Do you agree that an individual’s Second Amendment Right cannot be denied without stringent due process? (Yes/No)

x I support red-flag laws to identify patterns of physical violence and suicidal behavior, or for people who are mentally ill (psychotic, delusional, or otherwise incapable of making a rational decision). The challenge here is what balance there is on when and why to strip a right from a person, and also protect timely restoration of their rights. This is not a simple question to answer, but there are cases where an individual should not have access to a firearm.

9. Gun-free zones create arbitrary boundaries where law-abiding citizens arc disarmed, while zero measures are taken to prevent criminals from entering. Many argue that law-abiding gun owners should be allowed to carry a firearm for self-defense outside their home, especially on public property that is not considered a “secured” facility. Secured facilities are those where all points of ingress and egress are protected by metal detectors and armed security. Do you support state legislation reducing or eliminating gun-free zones that are not secured? (Yes/No)

x No. Churches, Schools, Counseling Centers, Restaurants, Malls, Fairgrounds, Arenas, and any other establishment public or private can have rules on whether firearms are permitted on a property.

10. The “instant” background check system only prohibits the purchase of firearms based on objective disqualifiers. Due process requires the government to substantiate firearm purchase denials with reliable documentation. A “safety valve” provision in current law enforces this requirement by allowing (not mandating) an FFL to proceed with a sale after 3 business days if the FBI still has not denied the sale (illegal possession, of course, remains actionable). Gun control advocates want to repeal this safety-valve and have proposed increasing the “acceptable” time period of delays to a week, ten days, or even indefinitely. Do you support current law allowing the purchase of a firearm to proceed after 3 business days if the FBI still has not denied the sale? (Yes/No)

x No. Point of correction, in Utah background checks are performed by the Utah Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI).

11. Efforts at the state level are increasingly targeting the expansion of Utah’s background check system. Currently, all sales in Utah, through a federally licensed dealer, have to go through the state’s Bureau of Criminal Identification (BCI) for the criminal background check, which uses the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), along with other Utah databases. Note: Transfer includes loans, leases, and gifts. Do you support expanding the background check system in Utah to include private sales or transfers of firearms (so-called “universal” background checks)? (Yes/No)

x Yes. I 100% support this.

12. Several states and the District of Columbia require mandatory waiting periods before the purchaser of a firearm may take possession of the firearm. For example, California and the District of Columbia require a 10-day waiting period from the date of purchase to the date of delivery. Do you support mandating waiting periods between the purchase and delivery of firearms? (Yes/No, if Yes, number of days for waiting period)

x No. As long as the application and background checks have been completed successfully, there should be no waiting period for the purchase of a firearm.

13. Lawmakers at the state and local level have been introducing legislation to criminalize the failure to report the loss or theft of a firearm within a certain period of time from when the owner “knew or should have known” of the loss or theft. Proponents claim, although they have never demonstrated, that this will deter illegal firearms trafficking. While the NRA certainly does not oppose the reporting of lost and stolen firearms, it does oppose stigmatizing and punishing the victims of crime or those who suffer loss from events, such as natural catastrophes, that are not their fault. The message these laws send is that persons whose firearms are lost or stolen are somehow to blame or are complicit in the criminal acts of another person. Do you support making it a crime to fail to report the loss or theft of a firearm within a specified time period? (Yes/No)

x No. Comment: Crimes should be reported, and a loss of theft of a firearm should be recorded to protect the owner from possible legal repercussions if the firearm is later involved in a crime.

14. California recently enacted an excise tax of 11% on the sale of firearms and ammunition in addition to existing fees and taxes. The new tax was referred to by the Governor as a “sin tax”. Do you support imposing an additional tax specifically targeted at the retail sale of firearms or ammunition?
Note: All firearm and ammunition sales are currently subject to an 11% federal excise tax known as the Pittman-Robertson Act and applicable state and local taxes. (Yes/No, if yes what additional tax)

x Everything is taxable. California bill AB28 “Gun Violence Prevention and School Safety Act” was passed on Sept. 26, 2023 and went into effect on July 1. For the California bill, money raised is earmarked to pay for things like violence intervention programs, firearm relinquishment, gun safety education and school-based mental health and behavioral services.

15. Increased development, due to a growing and shifting population, has put many established gun clubs and shooting ranges at risk of being squeezed out. This encroachment has led to lawsuits and local ordinances that aim to put established ranges out of business. To combat this, some states have enacted range protection laws or have strengthened existing range protection laws. Do you support Utah’s shooting range protection laws? (Yes/No)

x No. This isn’t a state legislative issue. Work with cities and counties for permits and zoning issues.

16. The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) issues over 250,000 hunting licenses annually and the fees from these licenses pay for wildlife conservation across the state. If hunting is an essential tool for wildlife management and conservation, as well as an American tradition that teaches self-reliance, responsibility, and respect for nature. Further, hunting is already heavily regulated by DWR. Do you support further restrictions or bans on hunting? (Yes/No, if Yes, list restrictions)

x No. Comment: My point here is that the Division of Wildlife Resources can continue to be responsible for regulation. I’m not sure what further restrictions the NRA is suggesting, and their language is leading.

17. Traditional lead ammunition is the most common, cost-effective form of ammunition across the United States, but it has been under attack on both the federal and state levels recently by various anti-gun/anti- hunting groups. Non-traditional ammunition, such as ammunition containing tungsten or copper, is expensive and sometimes difficult to find, especially in rural areas. Consideration of any regulation or limitation on traditional ammunition should be based on sound science and population-level impacts. The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies adopted a resolution in 2010 which stated that “state agencies should focus regulation efforts where population-level impacts to wildlife are substantiated.” Do you support banning or limiting traditional lead ammunition? (Yes/No, if Yes, explain)

x As stated previously, we need to phase out lead ammunition used for hunting with a cost effective, more environmentally safe bullet that doesn’t poison scavenger species.

18. Firearm registration facilitates firearm confiscation. Understanding that the federal government and most states are prohibited from or do not keep a registry of firearms or firearm owners, gun control activists have attempted to deputize banks and credit card payment processors to maintain private firearm transaction data that will be used to track the purchasing habits of law-abiding gun owners. These gun control activists have encouraged banks and payment processors to utilize a gun dealer specific Merchant Category Code to monitor lawful credit card purchases at firearm retailers. Do you support Utah’s recently enacted law that prohibits banks and payment processors from collecting private firearm owner data? (Yes/No)

x As stated previously, Utah does not require firearm owners to register their firearms. Regarding sales tracking, how on earth are you planning to get around that? Internet history, cookies, site accounts, sales records, forums, etc already provide a wealth of information to anyone who wants to look for it.

19. Are you a member of the National Rifle Association or any other firearm/shooting sports/sportsmen’s organization? (Yes, NRA {Membership Number}, Yes, Member of other Org {List}, No)

x No

20. Have you ever run for or held an elected office? (Yes {List Office}, No)

x No

Please feel free to use the space below to provide additional comments or policy positions you’d like to add, including your history and involvement with the NRA. If your campaign has released a position paper on firearm or Second Amendment related issues, please attach those as well.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Comments:

The NRA sells fear.

What’s interesting is that this survey fails to address owner accountability. In Utah during the month of August-September 2024, 3 children were shot and 2 subsequently died as a result of finding unsecured, loaded firearms. Question #13 of the survey (owners of lost/stolen weapons to be held blameless) is the closest the NRA will get to negligent storage of a firearm.

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Response: Moms Demand Action

Sept 17 update: I’m pleased to announce that I was awarded the 2024 Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate distinction for my advocacy of common-sense gun safety.

For transparency, I am providing my answers from my application to Moms Demand Action 2024 Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate questionnaire so that my positions on these questions can be shared with constituents.

Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action are committed to creating a movement and culture that is diverse, inclusive, and equitable, and being intentional about the intersectional nature of our work. To that end, candidates who apply for the Gun Sense Candidate distinction should not only be ready to commit to governing with gun safety in mind, but must also commit to ensuring that their words and actions promote equity across all communities.

x I commit to governing with gun safety in mind and promoting equity across all communities.

Addressing Gun Violence in America

1. Every day, 120 people in the United States are killed with guns and more than 200 are shot and wounded. The gun homicide rate in the U.S. is 26 times higher than that of other high-income countries. Data and research shows that common-sense public safety measures can reduce gun violence and save lives.

Do you believe that state elected officials have a role to play in addressing gun violence in the United States?
x Yes

Background Checks

2. Federal law requires that a person pass a background check before buying a gun from a licensed firearm dealer. Since 1994, more than 4 million illegal gun sales have been blocked, including to people convicted of a felony, domestic abusers, and people barred due to mental illness. But the federal law does not apply if a person buys a gun from an unlicensed seller. This means that criminals can easily buy guns from strangers they meet online or at gun shows, with no questions asked. States can close this loophole by passing a law extending background checks to unlicensed sellers.

Do you support expanding the background checks requirement, to prevent prohibited people from buying guns with no questions asked?
x Yes

Extreme Risk Protection Order

3. When a person is in crisis, loved ones and law enforcement are often the first to see warning signs. Extreme Risk laws, often called Red Flag laws, allow them to ask a judge to temporarily remove guns when a person poses a danger to themselves or others. If a court finds that a person poses a significant threat, that person is temporarily barred from purchasing and possessing guns. Twenty-one states and DC have passed these laws, including sixteen since 2018.

Do you support Extreme Risk Protection Orders (a.ka. Red Flag laws), which can help prevent firearm suicide and mass shootings?
x Yes

Secure Storage

4. Secure firearm storage can reduce the risks of suicide, unintentional shootings, and school shootings. An estimated 4.6 million American children live in households with at least one firearm that is loaded and unsecured. Three-quarters of school shooters got their firearm from the home of a parent or close relative. One study found that households that locked both firearms and ammunition were associated with a 78 percent lower risk of self-inflicted firearm injuries and an 85 percent lower risk of unintentional injuries among children and teens.

Do you support policies requiring gun owners to store their firearms securely — locked and inaccessible to unauthorized users, including children and prohibited people?
x Yes

Suicide by Gun

5. Nearly six out of ten of all gun deaths in the U.S. are suicides. Gun suicides claim the lives of nearly 25,000 people in America every year–that’s an average of 68 deaths a day. But many of these deaths could be prevented if guns were taken out of the equation: access to a gun triples the risk of death by suicide. In addition to legislative solutions like the Extreme Risk Protection Order and secure firearm storage requirements, building public awareness about the suicide risks posed by firearm access is crucial to saving lives.

Do you support educating the public about the unique role firearms play in America’s suicide epidemic?
x Yes

Ghost Guns

6. New products designed to evade gun laws–including widely available kits that convert unfinished parts into fully functional firearms and new capability in 3D printing technology–make it easy for prohibited people to make their own guns at home. These untraceable “ghost guns” can be assembled in less than an hour and let criminals skip the background check system. Ghost gun recoveries across the U.S. are on the rise, and have been connected with criminal enterprises, gun trafficking rings, and far-right extremists.

Do you support prohibitions on building “ghost guns” at home outside of the background check system?
x. No (see comment below)

Protecting Victims of Domestic Abuse

7. Women in the U.S. are 28 times more likely to be killed by gun homicide than women in other high-income countries. And when a gun is present in a domestic violence situation, the woman is five times more likely to be killed. Federal law prohibits many domestic abusers from possessing firearms, but states play a primary role in enforcement — and can pass their own domestic violence laws. Evidence shows these state laws are especially effective at preventing gun violence if they require abusers to turn in their guns once they become prohibited.

Do you support state legislation that prohibits gun possession by abusers convicted of domestic violence or under final restraining orders, and ensures abusers turn in their guns promptly after becoming prohibited?
x Yes

Funding Community Violence Intervention

8. Community-based violence intervention programs apply a localized approach to address gun violence in neighborhoods with particularly high rates of gun violence. Numerous studies demonstrate that evidence-based intervention and prevention — for example, through street- or hospital-based outreach — can reduce gunshot woundings and deaths in the communities most impacted by gun violence.

Do you support robust public funding in your state for localized violence intervention programs that support people at the highest risk of being shot and killed?
x Yes

Public Carry of Firearms

9. Over the last several years, the gun lobby has gone from statehouse to statehouse seeking to enact “permitless carry,” which would pose a public safety risk by removing the requirement that a person get a permit before carrying a hidden, loaded handgun in public. These laws often remove important safety standards, such as denials for people who pose a danger and requirements for safety training and no recent violent acts. Strong permit laws are critically important after the Supreme Court decision in Bruen struck down gold-standard provisions in some states.

Do you support state permitting requirements, including firearm safety training, in order to carry concealed handguns in public?
x Yes

10. Increasingly in recent years, political extremists have taken advantage of gaps in state law to carry guns openly in public as a means of intimidation. In 2020, anti-government extremists, including the ascendant boogaloo movement and white supremacists, used guns, in particular assault weapons, as tools of intimidation and violence in increasingly open ways. Taking advantage of weak state gun laws, they have brandished weapons at anti-government protests, intimidated peaceful protests for racial justice, and even killed people.

Do you support a law prohibiting the open carry of firearms in public?
x. Yes

Police Use of Force and Accountability

11. Police violence is gun violence – 95 percent of civilian deaths caused by police are with a firearm, and Black people are victims at a disproportionate rate. Police shootings have a corrosive impact on our communities as they foster distrust which makes it harder for law enforcement to keep communities safe. Local leaders must commit to supporting targeted reforms that will help prevent shootings and build trust. These reforms should include: a strong legal standard barring the unnecessary use of force and a standard requiring officers to intervene to stop abuse, a commitment to de-escalation, deploying formal tools to identify misconduct, a thorough and independent review system for use of force incidents, and transparency about use of force and other policies and procedures.

Do you support police accountability measures that promote deescalation, promote transparency, and that aim to eliminate unnecessary use of force?
x Yes

Shoot First Laws

12. Shoot First laws, called “Stand Your Ground” by the gun lobby, allow people when outside of their home to shoot and kill others even if they could safely and easily avoid using deadly force. These laws go well beyond traditional self-defense principles – emboldening vigilante violence and encouraging people to seek out confrontation. They are also associated with increases in firearm homicides.

Do you oppose Shoot First laws?
x Yes (see comment below)

Guns in Schools and Colleges

13. The gun lobby has campaigned in statehouses to allow guns in K-12 schools, to arm teachers, and even to force colleges and universities to allow guns onto their campuses. There is no evidence that arming teachers can help stop school shootings—and on the contrary, armed civilians are more likely to cause confusion when law enforcement respond to a shooting, and guns in schools may be accessed by children when not under the teacher’s control. College life is also full of risk factors that make the presence of guns dangerous, with research showing that college students face significant mental health challenges. Arming teachers and forcing guns onto college campuses is broadly opposed by law enforcement, students, and educators.

Do you oppose allowing guns in K-12 schools and colleges, outside of law enforcement and security staff?
x Yes

Preemption of Local Gun Safety Laws

14. After a decades-long effort by the gun lobby, most states now have some form of firearms preemption law, blocking towns and cities from adopting their own gun laws suited to local needs. These preemption laws often bar mayors and police chiefs from taking steps to address gun violence, and in some cases even have punitive provisions that leave taxpayers on the hook for court costs and fees.

Do you oppose broad firearms preemption laws, which block local officials from passing and enforcing laws that keep communities safe from gun violence?
x Yes

Holding the Gun Industry Accountable

15. In 2005, at the strong urging of the gun lobby, Congress passed the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, one of the biggest giveaways to private industry in American history, giving the gun industry more protection from litigation than makers and sellers of cars or tobacco products. In recent years, several states have fought back against this unique type of immunity, passing laws that push back on industry by empowering gun violence survivors (and/or state authorities) to file suit against gunmakers and dealers whose bad conduct results in harm.

Do you support giving gun violence survivors access to justice by allowing them to take bad industry actors to court?
x Yes

Assault Weapons

16. Assault weapons have been shown to increase the number of people killed and wounded in mass shootings—as they enable shooters to fire more quickly and with more destructive force. Researchers have found that the federal prohibition on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines was associated with a significant decrease in public mass shootings and related casualties.

Do you support an assault weapons ban that would bar new civilian purchases of these weapons of war?
x Yes (see comment below)

ABOUT

Moms Demand Action
Moms Demand Action is part of Everytown for Gun Safety, an organization with nearly ten million supporters. Moms Demand Action is the nation’s largest grassroots volunteer network working to end gun violence and campaigns for new and stronger solutions to lax gun laws and loopholes that jeopardize the safety of our families, educates policymakers and parents about the importance of secure firearm storage and works to create a culture of gun safety through partnerships with businesses, community organizations and influencers. There is a Moms Demand Action chapter in every state of the country and more than 700 local groups across the country.

Students Demand Action
Students Demand Action is the largest grassroots, youth-led gun violence prevention group in the country with more than 550 groups and active volunteers in every state and the District of Columbia. The movement, created by and for teens and young adults, aims to channel the energy and passion of high school and college-aged students into the fight against gun violence. Students Demand Action volunteers organize within their schools and communities to educate their peers, register voters, and demand common-sense solutions to this national public health crisis at the local, state, and federal level. Students Demand Action is part of Everytown for Gun Safety, the largest gun violence prevention organization in the country with nearly ten million supporters and more than 700,000 donors. For more information or to get involved visit www.studentsdemandaction.org.
Have you been an active participant with a Moms Demand Action Chapter, Students Demand Action Group, or the Everytown Survivor Network?

x No

Survivors of Gun Violence
The Everytown Survivor Network is inclusive of anyone who has personally experienced gun violence—whether you have witnessed an act of gun violence, been threatened or wounded with a gun, or had someone you know wounded or killed with a gun. This includes but is not limited to gun suicides, domestic violence involving a gun, and unintentional shootings. Have you or a loved one experienced gun violence – such as homicide, suicide, wounding, witnessing gun violence?

x Yes

COMMENTS

Would you like to provide any background?
I grew up in rural Alaska in a hunting and trapping family; lived in the East Bay, California for 10 years, and have spent the last 24 years here in Utah. I had a childhood friend killed by his brother because they were playing with unlocked guns in their house. At my first job I was one of two assault victims where a person used a gun. I have extended family who have been stalked, attacked and shot, or killed. In the East Bay I had co-workers who were killed, or seriously disabled in drive-by shootings. I had a much-revered teacher who committed suicide with a gun. Since living here in Utah I have had a co-worker who committed suicide with a gun, and there have been multiple child fatalities in my own neighborhood from access to unlocked guns. I haven’t even mentioned school shootings, mass shootings, road rage incidents, or brandishing.

Would you like to provide any additional background for any of your responses to this questionnaire?

Thank you for this questionnaire.

Beside working on common sense gun control measures, I want to start building a coalition of voices for 2a regulation that can advocate at the state level. I really would be interested in strategies for engagement, and making conversations that build trust and respect.

My commitment in the campaign (Utah House District 44) is that I will listen to constituents, and I will represent local issues for Utahns. Gun control here is hotly contested, even when most agree that sensible measures need to be put in place to improve safety and reduce harm. There is a lot of the mentality of “a good guy with a gun” that results in bills being passed for non-permitted concealed carry, to arm teachers, and to place lockboxes in classrooms for their guns. We were the first state to declare an official state firearm (the Browning 1911). Along with Browning there are a large number of gun and ammunition manufacturers in the state. Much of rural Utah sees the gun control issue as an urban problem that doesn’t understand or appreciate their lifestyle. There are additional issues for us with militias and white nationalist movements.

Re: Ghost Guns
There is no system in place for comprehensive firearm registration, and there are no laws in place to track changes of ownership past the initial purchase. Private gun sales and the proliferation of gun shows in the Midwest are the likely sources of private sales of firearms. Cost and accessibility lean towards private sales. Ghost guns and kits are geared more towards firearm enthusiasts than criminals seeking to manufacture and distribute weapons. Weapons used in crimes are still traceable based on the ammunition type, bullets used, rifling of expended bullets, etc. If legislation were proposed for private gun manufacture, it would have to be comprehensive and/or pragmatic, i.e. focused on holding component manufacturers, distributors, assemblers accountable for firearms used in a crime, or in the case of organized crime, that the component manufacture was part of an organized crime operation. There are other issues apparent for this topic; I believe that our priorities lie elsewhere.

Re: Shoot First Laws
I agree, but need to comment here. The best defenses in order of priority is de-escalation, running away, getting help, non-lethal defense, then lethal defense. Acts of provocation (following a person, confronting a person, brandishing) should exempt anyone from claiming self-defense. Bottom line here is that a gun owner MUST be responsible and held accountable for actions.

Re: Assault Weapons
I agree, but we need to update definitions on what an assault weapon is. Example: Bump stocks turn a gun into a machine gun, but aren’t legally defined as such based on recent supreme court ruling (Garland v. Cargill). Regardless of the actuator, any firearm that produces a rate of fire above XX threshold should be defined as a machine gun, and parts used to convert a firearm into a weapon like this should also be illegal. I would like to see clear definitions of firearm types to distinguish differences between hunting, competition, self defense, security/police, and military grade weapons.

I appreciate these questions, and encourage that we continue conversation.

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Celebrating Labor Day in Utah

The Joe Hill monument in Sugar House Park

Labor Day is a time to honor the American worker and their contributions to society. In Utah, this holiday holds particular significance, as the state has a rich history of union activity that has shaped its workforce and economy. Unions have played a crucial role in Utah’s labor movement, advocating for fair wages, safe working conditions, and workers’ rights. Through collective bargaining, unions have negotiated contracts that have provided workers with better benefits, education and career advancement, job security, and a voice in the workplace. Labor Unions have been primary drivers for workplace safety, standard working hours, ending child labor, and emphasis for improved public education.

  • In 1852, the National Typographical Union was organized in Salt Lake. It became the first permanent national union in our country. Through its evolution, the International Typographical Union (ITU) merged and is now part of Teamsters and CWA unions. 
  • Joe Hill was a famous activist songwriter and member of the Industrial Workers of the World (aka the “Wobblies”). In 1914, Hill was accused of a murder and subsequently sentenced to death at Sugarhouse Prison.  His lawyer stated “The main thing the state had on Hill was that he was a Wobbly and therefore sure to be guilty. Hill tried to keep the IWW out of [the trial] … but the press fastened it upon him.”  Prior to his execution, Hill had written to Bill Haywood, an IWW leader, saying, “Goodbye Bill. I die like a true blue rebel. Don’t waste any time in mourning. Organize …” A monument to Joe Hill was raised in 2023 at Sugarhouse Park, the site of the former Sugarhouse Prison.
  • In 1933, Utah passed its Prevailing Wage Law, which lasted almost a half century before being repealed in 1981, using claims that prevailing wage was in conflict with right-to-work laws passed in 1969
  • In 1955, Utah became the 18th state to adopt Right to Work legislation (Since the 1920’s there was the national, anti-union, open-shop “American Plan”, a predecessor of right-to-work; and followed closely after the 1947 Taft-Hartley act)
  • When Martin Luther King addressed the AFL-CIO’s fourth convention in 1961, he dubbed the AFL-CIO and the civil rights movement “the two most dynamic and cohesive liberal forces in the country” 
  • Under Title 34, Chapter 34 of Utah Code adopted in 1969, the state code maintains a “neutral” stance in that an employer cannot require or abstain employees from belonging to a union, and does not deny employees’ right to collective bargaining. This means that unions can be formed, but individuals are not required to join a union, or pay union dues. 

It’s important to note the difference between Right-to-Work laws and Right-to-Organize laws. Right-to-work typically focuses on the individual employee, and weakens collective bargaining power. Employees not covered by a union can be subject to at-will work agreements where employers can reduce workforce, lay-off and re-organize with no significant repercussions to the business, but devastating impacts to the employee. Additionally, employees often discover that loyalty to a company isn’t rewarded through commensurate advancement, pay or recognition because employees are treated like assets rather than an investment. In contrast, Right-to-organize typically focuses on the fundamental right of workers to form unions and perform collective bargaining, and strengthens collective bargaining power. 

Utah is a right-to-work state, which means that individuals cannot be compelled to join a labor union as a condition of employment. This law has significant implications for unions in the state. While it allows workers to choose whether or not to join a union, it also limits the ability of unions to negotiate exclusive contracts that cover all workers in a particular workplace. As a result, unions in Utah may face challenges in organizing workers and bargaining for collective agreements that benefit all employees. Right-to-work laws can weaken the bargaining power of unions, making it more difficult to negotiate for higher wages, better benefits, and improved working conditions. The loss of a prevailing wage in our state has significance in that there is a constant demand for “cheap” versus “good” that only encourages a slow spiral to the bottom for workers’ wages, their workspaces, product quality, and service availability. 

Unions are one of the most important tools to address the disparity of wealth distribution, and a legitimate tool to manage the welfare and way of life for Utahns.  This is a key issue separating myself from incumbent Jordan Teuscher. The current representative from our district is anti-union and is the sponsor of HB285 Labor Union Amendments which impacts public employees. He has also submitted bills in past legislative sessions (like the 2023 HB241 Labor Union Amendments) that work against worker rights. We are facing anti-union actions from a national level to degrade unions in Utah. Groups like ‘Workers for Opportunity’ and ‘Mackinac Center for Public Policy’ are engaging with conservative legislators to introduce legislation veiled as “worker freedom”, but in reality represent a furthering of “right-to-work” policies that weaken labor laws and tear down worker rights. Teuscher is a copy/paste legislator introducing right-wing legislation from ALEC that was also run in Texas and Florida. He’s doing the same thing working with the Foundation for Government Accountability (FGA) whose focus is to push, repackage and franchise conservative agendas. He literally takes his cues from national right-wing think tanks rather than representing the people in his district.  

This Labor Day, think about workers’ rights and the state of our economy.  We need to build from the middle up, and that means giving workers the ability to negotiate fair compensation, fight for workspace safety and product quality in response to the do-more-with-less mantra of companies that treat employees like assets rather than real people, and seek less regulation, less liability, less community commitment, but constantly report record profits. Take time to celebrate the achievements of Utah’s labor movement and the contributions of the state’s working people. It is a reminder of the importance of unions in protecting workers’ rights and ensuring fair and equitable workplaces. 

REFERENCE ARTICLES 

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SJR401: A Blatant Grab for YOUR Voter Legislative Power

Update: If you are here because of recent social media posts about the passage of SJR401 on August 21, and would like to donate to Better Boundaries Utah for their “vote no” campaign, please use this link. If you would like to support my campaign running against Jordan Teuscher, please register with me at https://utah44.com/get-involved/.

In a specially called session this week, SJR401 was introduced specifically because the legislature is fearful that voters want to hold legislators accountable for actually doing their jobs. Let’s call out the coalition of Utah GOP legislators who are taking away Utahn’s rights to citizens initiatives: Sen Leader Stuart Adams, Rep Leader Mike Schultz, Sen Kirk Cullimore (chief sponsor) and Rep Jordan Teuscher (House sponsor).

For reference, here’s the bill: https://le.utah.gov/~2024S4/bills/static/SJR401.html

Let’s start by describing what they want to take away from us. Citizen Initiatives are literally a tool for “We the People” to have a voice when our representatives don’t effectively represent its citizens. The resolution introduced this week is seeking to take away legislative power from Utah citizens, and give that authority to the Utah legislature. Keep in mind that if this passes, state legislators are TAKING AWAY POWER from Utah voters. Powers to introduce important legislation. Powers to approve constitutional amendments. Powers that belong to us unless we give them away.

There is a REASON that Citizens Initiatives exist. Our LAST AND SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT privilege is to raise a vote to the people when our representatives either lack political will or (in Utah) suffer under a super majority that obstructs the people’s will.

We are a representative democracy, and we have a state constitution with checks and balances. As citizens, we can vote for who represents us, we can create Citizen Initiatives, and we can sue or suffer under the legislation our representatives pass. I would mention impeachment but you have seen how our Utah legislator lacks the political will to deal with bad actors (like Natalie Cline) in their own party.

This year, a coalition of Utah GOP legislators were checked by the Utah Supreme Court for failing to represent Utah citizens, and now they are actively writing legislation to strip our rights away. They don’t like being checked by the courts, by the executive branch (although our current governor coddles to the legislature) or by us, the people. In their proclamation for the special session they warn about foreign interests. ONLY UTAH VOTERS can submit a Citizen Initiative. They are literally calling the interests of Utah voters “foreign interests”. Are you mad yet? You should be.

In their announcement leading up to this bill, they even admit their own impertinent behavior: “While past legislative overreach has understandably led to some distrust among the people…” but they have the gall to call a special legislative session specifically to write a bill that then STRIPS our voice as voters so they can continue the very same legislative overreach they are committing. We are even paying them to go into session so they can actively work against us. We are literally paying them right now to write laws to hurt us.

Here are 3 things all Utahns can do:

  1. CALL your legislator and tell them you are a constituent, and you want them to vote NO on this.
  2. If the bill passes, then YOU can vote NO on this initiative.
  3. In November, vote like it matters. Be informed, vote on all the races, and vote for people who will represent and LISTEN to you.

Do you Vote In House District 44? There’s One More Thing

If you live in Utah House District 44 (South Jordan, West Jordan) please consider voting for me in November. I listen. I’m committed to local representation & true Utah values that embrace community and respect for ALL people. It’s time to push the Teusch out.