All nine state House seats representing Davis County residents are held by Republicans - a partisan power base that probably will emerge undamaged from Tuesday's election.
From Hill Air Force Base to North Salt Lake, the nine incumbents face, for the most part, newcomers or candidates with party affiliations that have never before held a seat in the Legislature.In Districts 19 and 20, which cover Bountiful and North Salt Lake, the Republican representatives are running against candidates who say they are Democrats but whom the Democratic Party disclaims. The newcomers hold political beliefs more closely aligned with those professed by Libertarians or American Party candidates, according to their responses to a Deseret News questionnaire.
And the lone challengers in Districts 13, 15, 16 and 17 are professed Libertarians.
Here is a list of the candidates in all the districts and some of their stances:
District 18
Incumbent Rep. Karen B. Smith, R-Centerville, has an idea about government that may seem novel to some - lawmakers don't have to solve many of the problems they're asked to solve.
"The greatest problem we face today in Utah is the tendency to shift responsibility from individuals to government," said Smith, who is finishing her first term in the House District 18 seat. "As difficult as it may be, the best thing I can do is not to try to solve problems legislatively but to empower individuals, families and neighborhoods to solve them."
Her district includes Centerville, West Bountiful, Woods Cross and a corner of Bountiful.
Smith, a homemaker and 44-year-old mother of three, also echoes Gov. Mike Leavitt's concerns about the increasing intrusion of the federal government into areas that should be state-controlled.
She faces Democratic challenger Trudy Henderson, a teacher for Davis School District and mother of three children, and Libertarian Jonathan Gore, 32, 650 W. 1600 North, West Bountiful, and father of four children. Independent candidate Steven L. Allen did not respond to a Deseret News questionnaire.
The candidates differ most in their stances on gun control and welfare reform.
Henderson, 49, says she'll never own a gun but is sympathetic to people who believe so firmly in the right. However, she said "the number of legal gun sales each month in Utah is scary . . . control is necessary."
Smith, 612 E. 650 North, said she believes in a strict interpretation of the Second Amendment. "We need to focus on the real problem - those who use guns for criminal activities."
Gore said it was irresponsible for a newspaper to ask whether a candidate owns a gun.
Regarding welfare reform, Henderson would favor a funding increase for a project that eventually would decrease the number of people recieving state assistance while Smith believes any money for such a program should be shifted from projects that "don't work." Gore thinks the government should abolish the entire program.
"If the governor could find enough tax exemptions and loopholes to finance state school building funds, couldn't more money (for welfare reform) be found?" Henderson said.
Their opinions also differ on increasing fees for vehicle registrations, driver's licenses, hunting licenses and/or professional licenses.
Smith says she would support increases "if a need for it was demonstrated in order to provide adequate service;" Henderson and Gore say they probably wouldn't vote for any increases.
Their positions flip-flop when it comes to voting for an kind of general tax decrease, given Utah's record tax surpluses. Henderson wouldn't because "there isn't a surplus if you haven't paid all the bills yet." Smith said she would vote for a decrease if the state's infrastructure needs are met. Gore said he would definitely support a property tax decrease.
Henderson, 790-B Frontage Road, Centerville, says her greatest strength is her life experiences. "I've been rich and poor. I've been married and I've been a single parent coaching my sons' sports teams. I've owned my own business, taught school, bought a home and went back to graduate school . . . my friend Karen Smith has lived on the block longer, but I've been around it more often."
Smith says she offers effective advocacy for her constituents and a record of keeping her promises. Gore said he will remind his colleagues of the "principles of the Constitution," if he is elected.
- District 18 encompasses Centerville, West Bountiful, Woods Cross and the northwest corner of Bountiful, generally north of 1400 North and west of 200 West.
District 11
Both candidates for House District 11 in northern Davis and southern Weber counties say they are strong proponents of not raising taxes and of reforming laws related to campaign contributions, lobbyist gifts and the now-secret Rules Committee.
Political newcomer Marilyn Smith, a management analyst for Salt Lake County and former legislative intern, is challenging incumbent Rep. Doug Peterson, R-Riverdale, in November's general election.
- Marilyn Smith, a Democrat, says the three major issues facing Utah state government today are providing educational and community programs to discourage children from criminal activities, as well as providing additional incarceration facilities; reducing the overcrowding in Utah schools; and encouraging quality economic development while preserving the tax base and the environment.
Smith supports a Democratic-sponsored reform plan that would make Utah's income tax more progressive. "Unfortunately, many lower income and all middle income families now pay at an unfair rate," she said.
She also supports efforts to help those on welfare find employment, and "because a decrease of people on welfare would be beneficial in the long run, I support the use of surplus monies for welfare reform."
Smith said she would probably vote no on any bill that would increase income, property, sales or gasoline taxes and would probably vote yes on a bill decreasing income, property or sales taxes. She said the concept of user fees instead of taxes is solid, but she could not support any increase without understanding the specifics of any proposal.
Smith said she would vote to open the now-secret Rules Committee meetings, to require full disclosure of lobbyist gifts to lawmakers, require greater disclosure of legislators' conflicts of interest and to require limits on the amount of campaign contributions from special interest groups and businesses.
Smith, 26, lives in Washington Terrace. She is the mother of two sons and is married to Steve Smith. She previously worked for the Layton City Planning Corp. and served on the Washington Terrace Citizens Budget Committee.
- Republican incumbent Doug Peterson, who was first elected to the House in 1992, says the three major issues facing state government are the preservation of Hill Air Force Base as a "significant contributor to the economic machine driving Utah," getting tougher on criminals by forcing them to serve their entire sentences and counteracting federal government domination that has taken rights away from state and local governments.
Peterson said the Legislature should more frequently address inequities in the income-tax system as the percentage of the population in different tax brackets changes. "Simply shifting the brackets up will not correct the problem, however," he said.
Improvements in the property-tax system are also needed, he added, noting that property taxes carrying the highest administration and collection costs of any tax and is the least likely to be equitable. He says he supports efforts to reduce administrative costs and make the system more equitable.
Peterson said he opposes gun control but supports local determination of the issues, although "a constitutional right is not an issue that can be delegated for smaller governmental entities to determine."
Peterson supports increased funding for welfare reform, saying the state would benefit in the long run. "While the state should provide initial funding, I believe that just as students pay their tuition and adults must pay for additional training in their fields to improve their economic status, the beneficiaries of the project should bear a portion of the cost," he said.
Peterson opposes the construction of additional college campuses, would definitely vote against an increase in property, income or sales tax, would probably vote no on a gasoline tax increase and would also oppose increases in user fees. He would, however, support a tax decrease or the elimination of state bonding.
Peterson would vote to open the Rules Committee if "people support it," and he supports full disclosure of lobbyist gifts to lawmakers and greater disclosure of legislators' conflicts of interest. He would vote to limit the contributions of businesses and special interests "if we can limit the overall amount that can be spent on campaigns. If we cannot limit the amount which wealthy individuals can spend on their own campaigns, then we are making it more difficult for low-to-middle income individuals to raise money for a campaign, leaving the door wide open for wealthy individuals to buy their way into office."
Peterson, 27, is employed by United Parcel Service and is married to Cathy Jolley. He served on the state Board of Regents from 1991 to 1992, the Weber State University board of trustees from 1990 to 1991 and on the Campaign Finance Reform Task Force in 1994. He worked as a staff member to the Utah Senate for three years.
- District 11 encompasses Riverdale, Washington Terrace, Roy east of 1900 West, Uintah, and unincorporated areas south of South Ogden in Weber County; plus Hill Air Force Base in Davis County.
District 13
The incumbent in House District 13, Nora B. Stephens of Sunset, should have an easier time being re-elected because her Democratic challenger, Bruce G. Parry, has withdrawn from the race. This makes the district, which covers Sunset, Syracuse, West Point, Clinton and west Layton, only a two-person battle, between her and Ralph Buckway, a Libertarian from West Point.
- Nora B. Stephens, 62, 2024 N. 400 West, Sunset, a Republican, is a homemaker, teacher and self-employed businesswomen in the insurance industry.
She's spent 12 years in local Republican Party leadership, has been a member of the governor's strategic education planning commission and is on the board of directors for the Davis Family Support Center. This is her first term in the Legislature.
Stephens believes the breakdown of family stability, gangs and violence and state rights and private property rights are the most important issues in state government today.
She believes a flat tax is the fairest income tax possible and would like to lessen government reliance on property tax. She would like to equalize amounts school districts can raise in property taxes. Stephens would probably vote no on any general tax increases for 1995 or 1996. But if a gasoline tax increase was earmarked for roads, she'd likely vote for that. She supports the concept of user fees.
On gun control, Stephens said she personally owns guns and enjoys target shooting but does not hunt. She favors citizens' right to keep and bear arms, but would support some local gun controls.
She said her previous local and state government experience and her platform, better representing the values and concerns of District 13, make her the better candidate.
Majority party membership makes her better able to get things done and serve the district, she said.
She favors higher education expansion, with an emphasis on technical centers.
- Ralph Buckway, 44, 2307 W. 500 North, West Point, a Libertarian, is a truck driver for Hill Air Force Base.
His previous government experience includes running for the West Point City Council three times.
He said health care, the crime bill and getting more good jobs for Utah are the three major issues facing Utah State government today.
Buckway doesn't see any problem with the current state income tax brackets, except they should be reduced for the elderly and for those on a fixed income. He would also like to see a more frequent reassessment of property tax values.
He owns several guns himself and believes it is a constitutional right to own a gun. He believes responsible people who grow up with hunter safety classes should be permitted to own guns. He said the problems are caused by loaded guns in homes and cars that people thought were unloaded.
Buckway doesn't necessarily believe he is better qualified than his opponents for the House seat, but he strongly feels there is a need for new blood and that his new ideas would make for a better state government.
He doesn't see the need for new college campuses in Utah, but favors more community colleges and technical centers.
Buckway said he would probably vote no for any general tax increase during 1995-96 and would definitely vote no for any gasoline tax increase during the next two years.
- House District 13 includes Sunset; Syracuse; West Point; Clinton; and west Layton, generally west of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad tracks and Angel Street.
District 14
Don E. Bush of Clearfield is seeking a second term in House District 14, which covers Clearfield and northwest Layton. He is being opposed by Democrat James R. Judd and Edward A. Gemar, a Libertarian.
- Don E. Bush, 70, 138 Locust St., Clearfield, is a Republican and a retired building contractor.
He's spent two terms in the state Legislature, served as a member of the Clearfield Citizens Master Plan Committee and on the Clearfield Board of Appeals. He has also been a member of the Davis County Committee on aging and several State Historical Society committees.
Bush believes crime - especially gangs - transportation and federal mandates are the most important issues state government faces.
He believes a state income tax is the fairest way and that the rich should pay more taxes.
Bush agrees that property tax is one of the worst of all taxes but doesn't have any other ideas. He would consider new ideas, though.
He doesn't own a gun but believes no law-abiding citizen should be denied the right to have a firearm. He thinks there does need to be some sort of statewide correlation on transporting arms.
Bush believes he should be re-elected because he represents the conservative and moral views of the vast majority of the citizens in his district. He stresses he is not tied to any special interest group. He is positioned well enough in the Legislature after four years that he can be an even more effective voice of the district in the future.
He thinks a welfare reform project is a good idea but is hesitant to support one until he knows exactly what it involves.
Bush favors small satellite college campus centers in many Utah locations to keep education expenses down.
He would definitely vote no on any general tax or any gasoline tax increase during the next two years.
- James R. Judd, 42, 717 W. 700 North, Clearfield, is the fire battalion chief for the Ogden City Fire Department.
He believes crime, education and defense cutbacks are the three main issues facing state government.
Judd said the fact that most Utahns fall in the top bracket for state income tax proves the system needs overhauled. He favors a more progressive tax.
He owns a gun and supports all rights guaranteed by the Constitution relating to gun control.
Judd said his opponent is a worthy and admirable man but believes he also has the background and experience to represent the views of the district and to do so in a stronger manner.
He supports efforts to help welfare recipients find employment. He thinks any savings on the system should be used to help reform it.
Judd favors additional colleges in Utah, especially because the demand for higher education is there.
He believes Utah's economy is strong and does not believe there will be any true need to justify raising general taxes in the near future. On the issue of a gasoline tax increase, Judd said he would have to specifically study any such proposal as it came up before deciding how to vote.
- Edward A. Gemar, 154 W. 600 N. Clearfield, did not return a questionnaire to the Deseret News.
- District 14 boundaries generally follow Clearfield city limits, plus a section of northwest Layton, north of Gordon Avenue, west of State Street, Reid Drive and Layton Drive, and east of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad tracks.
District 15
Kevin Beck is challenging incumbent Blake D. Chard for the House District 15 seat in north Davis County. The district includes central Layton and west Kaysville.
Beck, a Libertarian, lacks government experience but said he is anxious to represent the rights of the people. Chard, a Republican, said he is ready for another term.
- Kevin Beck, 40, 955 S. 250 East, Layton, is a carpenter employed by Bretwood Construction.
He has no previous government experience but stressed he is a taxpayer and that makes government a big concern for him.
Beck said the three major issues facing state government today are: Judges should be elected, not appointed; light rail (which he would vote against) and the Olympics (another issue he is firmly against).
He doesn't favor the current state income tax structure and wants an across-the-board, flat tax rate of 10 percent.
On property tax issues, Beck believes such taxes should only apply to an existing mortgage. After a home is paid off, all taxes should also be dropped.
Beck said he owns a shotgun for hunting purposes and he strongly opposes any regulation on the ownership of any firearm. He said he would never support any legislation that interferes in this Second Amendment right.
He admits his opponent is a good man with a favorable voting record. Beck believes he should be elected because he has a clear sense of right and wrong and he could never be persuaded to vote against his conscience.
Beck doesn't believe in increasing welfare spending and thinks the current system should be dismantled and taken over by private enterprise. He also welcomes any new college campuses in Utah, so long as they are privately funded and operated.
On any general tax increases during the next two years, Beck said he would definitely vote no. He would also not support any rise in the gasoline tax.
Beck did not submit a photograph to the Deseret News.
- Blake D. Chard, 41, 1940 W. 350 West, Layton, is an associate engineer with TRW Aerospace. His previous government experience is his term with the state Legislature.
He believes transportation, juvenile justice and growth are the three main issues state government faces. He thinks the juvenile justice system needs revamping.
Chard doesn't especially perceive the 20-year-old state income tax system to be out-of-date and he supports a flat income tax system.
He would like to see the property tax system modified, so that all property in the county would be reassessed at the same time.
On gun control, he believes in the constitutional right to own and bear a firearm. He also opposes any local government superseding state legislation concerning the sale of firearms.
Chard said his experience in the areas of computer technology, law enforcement and juvenile justice are some of his strong points. He also has a master's degree in public administration.
He would support an increase in welfare funding for a reform project but only if it could prove that it would cause the number of participants in welfare to decrease.
Since Davis County is the only Utah population center without a college campus, he strongly favors having a college there.
He would definitely vote no on any general tax increase during the next two years and would probably vote no on any gasoline tax increase proposal too.
- House District 15 includes central Layton, generally east of Fairfield Road and west to State Street, Reid Drive, Layton Drive, Angel Street and Sugar Street; and Kaysville west of I-15.
District 16
One of the candidates running for the Legislature in central Davis County admits his opponent, the incumbent, is probably more qualified to hold the job. But electing a Libertarian would be newsworthy and get his views some public attention, Larry Livingston believes.
Livingston, 37, 336 E. 700 North, Kaysville, is challenging Republican incumbent Kevin Garn, 39, 2206 Summerwood Drive, Layton, for the District 16 seat in the House of Representatives. The district covers part of Kaysville and Layton.
Asked why he is more qualified to hold the job than Garn, Livingston replied that because of his incumbency, Garn is probably more qualified.
"I, however, have called the entire phone book over several years to talk to people in this district," said Livingston. "If elected as a Libertarian I would be listened to more than Kevin because it would be news," he reasoned.
Livingston, former county chairman of the Libertarian Party, is not new to politics, having run for several county and state offices.
Garn, who owns KSG Distributing, was elected four years ago and re-elected in 1992.
Livingston believes education, growth and controlling crime are the three top issues in this election. A former resident of Minnesota, Livingston advocates adopting that state's system of taxation and funding for education rather than Utah's policy of committing 100 percent of its income tax revenue to schools.
He endorses Sen. Orrin Hatch's views on crime control, adding that "I think criminal reform, not gun control, is the answer."
Garn agrees on at least two of the three issues in their importance, noting the state must "continue our striving for a world-class education system to prepare our students for future careers and community leadership. To achieve this goal, our public schools must attract quality educators by offering salary packages competitive with private industry, continue funding for technology in the classroom, and focus on class size reduction."
Regarding growth and its impact, Garn said, "We must preserve Utah's quality of life by promoting public policy which recognizes the family as the fundamental unit of a safe and productive society."
Garn opposes any local or federal measures that infringe on the state's guarantee that individuals may own guns "for security and defense of self, family and property."
Livingston lists himself as a self-employed businessman who has also been an IRS agent, political activist, accountant, stockbroker and holder of several blue-collar jobs.
As for locating a community college in Davis County, Livingston said the state should encourage more private and technical schools. Although he is a college graduate, Livingston said society places too much emphasis on a college degree.
On tax issues, Livingston said he would probably oppose a general tax increase in the state, on either income, property, or sales taxes. He also opposes increases in fees and licensing costs, noting their most adverse impact is on the poor.
Garn is more emphatic, saying he would definitely oppose any general tax increase and would probably oppose any increase in gasoline taxes to raise money for transportation improvements. He, too, opposes any increase in licensing or state registration fees.
- House District 16 covers east Layton, generally east of Fairfield Road, plus parts of south Layton south of Rosewood Lane; northeast Kaysville, generally east of Main Street and north of Crestwood Road; and South Weber.
District 17
Marda Dillree has invested the past 20 years in public service, serving on various state and local education boards, the Farmington City Council. She is now seeking a second term in the Legislature.
She represents District 17, which encompasses Farmington and a portion of nearby Kaysville and Fruit Heights.
Dillree had no competition from fellow Republicans in the primary, no Democrat filed to run against her and Libertarian candidate Bryan Baird, also of Farmington, did not respond to two requests from the Deseret News for information on his candidacy.
As a member of the Legislature, Dillree, 49, serves on a number of state committees, including the Advisory Council on Intergovernmental Relations, Domestic Violence Advisory Council, Legislative Property Tax Task Force and Landfill Dispute Resolution Committee.
Major issues Dillree sees ahead for state government include rapid population growth, transportation and crime.
State and local governments, including schools, are finding it difficult to keep up with the demand for services fueled by the state's growth, according to Dillree.
"We must enhance the ability of the state and local government to somewhat manage our growth," she said. "We want to allow growth at a realistic rate that will not have an undue negative impact on our communities.
Enhanced equalization programs, matching funds or low- or no-interest loans from the state to local governments are several funding solutions suggested by Dillree.
On transportation, Dillree said the state is "falling drastically behind in our ability to fund our present and future transportation needs. We must address this critical need in the upcoming session through the use of both surplus funds and new funding sources," Dillree said, although she has reservations about an increase in the fuel tax as a source of new funds.Dillree is also concerned about crime, urging a "zero tolerance policy for violent crime. We need to ensure that swift, appropriate punishment is enforced."
The district includes southeast Kaysville, east of I-15 and generally south of Crestwood Road, plus an area between I-15 and Main Street extending north to the Kaysville city limits; all of Farmington; Fruit Heights; and areas west of Farmington.
District 19
Sheryl Allen, an education activist, was appointed earlier this year by Gov. Mike Leavitt to the House District 19 seat in the state House of Representatives, representing northern and central Bountiful. She faces Democratic candidate D. Michael Bingham in Tuesday's election.
However, state Democratic leaders say Bingham isn't a real Democrat, and the Davis County Democratic Convention voted not to endorse his candidacy. In the heavily Republican district, it appears Allen will have an easy victory.
Still, his candidacy offers extremely conservative voters an alternative to Allen. Independent candidate Travis J. Garrett and Libertarian Douglas R. Roach did not respond to a Deseret News questionnaire.
Bingham, 45, 51 S. 650 East, says the major issues facing Utah include abortion, takeover by the federal government, global thermonuclear war and restoration of religious freedoms.
"The status quo has destroyed the country and this state; our soil is drenched with the blood of the unborn and we have been sold into bondage by usury and taxation," he said.
Bingham, an electrician, owns a gun and believes government should not regulate gun ownership by law-abiding citizens. "Armed non-criminals are the best deterrent to crime," he said.
He would not support a general tax increase or increase of fees for driver's, hunting and/or professional licenses. And he would not vote for limits on the amount of money candidates can receive from special-interest groups.
Allen, 51, said the three major issues facing Utah include transportation, health care and education.
"The Davis/Salt Lake County bottleneck is particularly acute. I-15 needs to be widened and alternate routes, such as Bountiful Boulevard, need to be built," she said.
She supports implementation of the 1992-97 Utah Public Education Plan and fully equalizing all education funding, particularly voted leeways. "The 1995 Legislature will also be receiving a strategic plan for post-secondary education in Utah; this plan should be carefully considered and appropriate legislative action taken."
Allen, 620 Larsen Drive, is the public relations and foundation director for the Davis Applied Technology Center. She sat on the Davis Board of Education for 12 years, serving as president for six years.
- House District 19 includes most of Bountiful north of 1800 South and Muellar Park Road, except a small corner of northwest Bountiful near 1400 North and 200 West, which is in District 18.
Allen was appointed when seven-term Rep. Kim Burningham, R-Bountiful, resigned. He already had announced he was not seeking re-election and was named executive director of the Utah Statehood Centennial Commission.
District 20
The race for House District 20 became one of the nastiest in Utah politics earlier this year and appeared headed for the record books when three-term Rep. Nancy Lyon, R-Bountiful, filed for a write-in campaign Oct 26.
But Lyon, who was defeated by Ted Bradford in the June primary, withdrew her filing only 24 hours later, after party leaders and fellow lawmakers reacted negatively to her decision.
Now, Bradford, a former juvenile court judge, faces Democrat W. Clay Swank, who has not been endorsed by his party, American Party candidate Herbert N. Henderson and Libertarian Gary A. Root in the Nov. 8 general election. The district covers south Bountiful, Val Verda and North Salt Lake.
All four candidates agree on at least one issue - gun control. None believe the government should weaken the right to bear arms in any way.
They share similarities on other issues too, including their stances on federal government "intrusion" in issues traditionally managed by states. All except Root said that is one of three major issues facing Utah today.
- Charles E. "Ted" Bradford, 2486 S. 450 East, Bountiful, named the "tendency of the Legislature to over-legislate" as another of his major concerns. "Legislators sometimes introduce inappropriate and excessive bills in order to get public recognition for passing the most laws," he said.
But he believes the No. 1 issue facing Utah is the growth of juvenile crime.
"We need to reverse some past legislation that contributed to the decline and restore resources to deal with it," he said.
The 68-year-old attorney would also support exempting principal residences from property taxes once an owner reaches retirement age, like California and Texas. "Or we should tax property on the basis of evaluation when purchased; people can lose their homes if they can't pay the mushrooming taxes."
- W. Clay Swank, 220 E. 1100 North, North Salt Lake, a 34-year-old electrician, said his most pressing concern is the "lack of representation" in his district. "They don't listen to the voters and say one thing and do another."
He also would vote against a general tax decrease, a gasoline tax increase and fee increases for vehicle registrations, hunting licenses, driver's licenses and/or professional licenses. He would vote to decrease all taxes and eliminate property taxes.
"That tax is a license to steal my home," he said.
- Gary A. Root, 39, 1921 Chokecherry Drive, is an electrical engineer and said his education has prepared him for politics. "My beliefs bind me to the defense of freedom and the Constitution. My party affiliation would offer my district exceptional representation as other parties are guaranteed representation in every committee," he said.
He said the top three priorities facing Utah today are high taxes, low pay and a rapidly growing population. He favors eliminating state income and property taxes entirely and instead would fund government by raising retail sales and excise taxes.
"But these changes on the revenue side must be accompanied by complete reorganization of the executive branch to cut expenditures," he said.
- Herbert N. Henderson, a retired military officer, favors an across-the-board income tax program that would fund the government with a maximum 5 percent tax. "Make the state, county and federal leaders govern by the Constitution and get them out of private enterprise," he said.
He too would eliminate all property taxes. "You buy and pay for property, it should belong to you, not the government."
Henderson, 922 W. 4000 South, would vote against: any increase in funding for welfare reform, in fact, he would abolish the program; a general tax increase, a gasoline-tax increase, fee increases for hunting, professional and driver's licenses and increases for vehicle registrations.
- House District 20 comprises south Bountiful, south of 1800 South and Mueller Park road; Val Verda; and North Salt Lake City.