As a Vietnam veteran, I took an oath to defend the Constitution, a commitment that has defined my life. Defending the Constitution means upholding our freedoms, rights, and our system of checks and balances. My opponent, Mike Kennedy, supports individuals who have endangered our national security and undermined our democratic institutions. I will always defend our nation and its Constitution.
Whether it's education, healthcare, or financial choices, every Utahn deserves the right to make choices about their unique circumstances. Now, in America, personal freedom is at risk. While my opponent seeks to impose his beliefs on everyone, I believe in protecting the right of individuals to make these personal decisions without government overreach.
We need a balanced approach that addresses both border security and the root causes of undocumented immigration. Our current system invites illegal immigration by failing to enforce workplace laws, leaving undocumented workers vulnerable to abuse and hurting our economy. We need these workers to sustain our economy, and without them, Social Security is headed for crisis. My solution includes increased border security, a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, and expanded work and education visas. We must build a fair, humane system that benefits everyone and reflects our values.
The COVID-19 pandemic required spending to keep our economy afloat, and now it's time to focus on our future. We need policies that ensure affordable housing, fair wages, and a free market that works for everyone. I believe our economy should benefit all Utahns, not just the wealthy few.
I'm committed to tackling this housing crisis and making a real difference for everyone. We can build affordable housing through smart zoning and incentives for developers. While also ensuring long-term affordability through strategies like buybacks and shared equity models. At the federal level, we need to provide substantial subsidies to cities and counties with effective housing plans.
I am committed to addressing energy poverty in rural communities without leaving anyone behind as green energy develops. Rural Utahns rely on the energy industry for economic stability, and it’s crucial to protect these jobs while planning for a balanced energy transition, incorporating options like geothermal and nuclear. Additionally, I support increasing Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) payments to help rural counties cover essential services. I advocate for fair land use policies that protect the local economy and support sustainable growth.