A Congressional Debate for candidates running for Utah’s third congressional seat was held on the campus of USU-Eastern on Wednesday, August 2. Local citizens were able to meet and listen to candidates – Tanner Ainge, Chris Herrod and John Curtis who are reaching out to rural areas to win over voters before primary voting on August 15.
The evening consisted of an introduction of candidates by Kendra Seely, Chairperson for the Carbon County Republican Party. Opening statements were given by each candidate before questions were presented that were geared around our rural area. After a lengthy Q & A, candidates were each given three minutes to make their closing remarks to guests.
Ainge is focused on small government policies and economic growth. His concern is that there is no representation of Utah at the nation’s capital since Chaffetz resignation. He explains how he will represent the state, “I promise you that if you put your trust in me, if you elect me to Washington DC, your voice will be heard. I will never stop working, I will never back down, from the urgent priorities facing this country. I have the experience that can help reduce the influence of government so that our private sector can thrive and that everyone can be lifted in the process.” He praised those in attendance for doing their research before primary voting.
Curtis who is currently the Mayor of Provo believes his knowledge of constructing conservative policies for his city will work in Washington, he explains further, “I’ve tried to share a theme with you tonight of my strong feeling that Washington DC has too much influence here on our lives and not the other way around. I have a 94% approval rating in the city of Provo. How does that happen? It happens because of hard work, doing the hard thing, making tough decisions, being effective and getting things done. I hope I have that opportunity to do that for you.” Out of the three candidates, Curtis is the only one that has received endorsement from Governor Gary Herbert.
Herrod has five years of experience as a former Utah State Representative which could be very beneficial when it comes to primary voting. “You know one of my biggest frustrations in politics, is when I was serving every off year, people would give me a hard time because I was conservative. Around came election year and then everybody was conservative. I’m the one in this race that has a proven conservative record of actually doing what I said I was going to do. America is under attack with philosophies that do not work. If you send me back to Washington I promise to give you all that I have and fight for your individual rights, your God given rights,” stated Herrod. The difference that sets him apart from the other candidates is his international experiences.
The candidate that wins the primary voting on August 15 will go on to the General Election on November 7.