This debate was a breath of fresh air for many voters. The candidates were given the space and platform to articulate their visions about the future of Utah. In the first hour, we were able to hear from each candidate like a traditional town-hall. The first candidate to go was Thomas Wright.
Thomas Wright was initially asked how he felt about the story that broke, in which the Governor asked him to drop out of the race. He explained that he wouldn't have done what Governor Herbert had done. Wright was asked about the state's role in solving affordable housing. He plans to empower local leaders to find innovative solutions utilizing zoning laws and unused parking lots. Wright also plans to go through the state budget line by line and ask tough questions. He believes there needs to be a realignment of priorities and use the state's money more efficiently.
After Wright, Jon Huntsman Jr. went at-bat from a remote location. He was first asked about how and why he chose to leave the office of governor to serve as the US ambassador to China in the Obama administration. Huntsman explained that he felt called to that position of office, much like his sons serving in the US military are. For the next few questions, Huntsman was asked about how this administration will compare to his last. Huntsman stands by his choice to cut taxes and explained that one of his primary goals is to grow the GDP as the population grows. He wants to facilitate growth while remaining recession-proof through things like reviewing state tax code and implementing flat taxes. He was asked if he still believes the state minimum wage should be raised, and if vouchers are appropriate. Huntsman's stance remains unchanged in both of these areas. He plans to facilitate these by ensuring that the economy grows following the needs of the educational and infrastructure. Huntsman emphasized that choice is powerful, and as governor, he wants to empower choice.
Lieutenant Governor Spencer Cox was next to be questioned by the moderators. He spent the majority of his one-on-one time explaining the state's COVID-19 response. L.G. Cox acknowledged that the response wasn't perfect, but he is proud of the response that has been taken by the state thus far. The L.G. has faced criticism about the lack of transparency on the 100 million dollars that the state has spent on the COVID-19 response. He emphasized that this has been made public, and the media has access to all of the information. He was then asked about the no-bid contracts used initially in testing, and how the reliability of those tests are in question. He reiterated that the state did the best that they could. The final questions for the L.G. were about President Trump. Cox explained that he is supportive of the president's re-election because they have a good working relationship. Cox maintained that they are different people, and he doesn't anticipate defending the President's actions.
Greg Hughes was the last to go during the one-on-one session. He was initially asked if he supports President Trump calling the protesters, rioters, and thugs. The former Speaker of the House explained that there was unreasonable violence, and he felt like there was a need for force. He would have issued the national guard sooner because they have a right to make sure that the public safety of businesses is preserved. Hughes was then asked about the inland port. He explained that if Salt Lake City doesn't want the inland port, other places in Utah would welcome the businesses and economic opportunities. Hughes was asked about Operation Rio Grande, and how well it has fared. In Hughes' opinion, there has been a lack of focus, with Spencer Cox at the head of the State Homeless Coordinating Committee, and this was the reason for the funding shortfalls. He ended his one-on-one with the point that in the COVID-19 response, the focus should not be on stopping the spread, but rather flattening the curve. He believes it was unconstitutional for the state to shut down as it did, and the state should trust the businesses in Utah to make smart decisions related to COVID-19.
This concluded the one-on-one sessions with the candidates. The first question of the debate questioned issuing the national guard during the initial protest. Wright stressed the right to protest, but that law and order need to be maintained. He believes that the state should've been prepared to issue the guard earlier, given the charged climate across the country. He then explained that there needs to be thoughtful talks about police reform. Spencer Cox then explained the difference between protesting and rioting. He believes this is a critical moment in the state's history and wants to change policy and implement mobile crisis teams. He says that he hasn't met a racist officer, however. Greg Hughes believes that the protests are appropriate, but the rioting was divisive. Huntsman reiterated that the response from the state lacked leadership. He pointed to the Blackhawks and humvees that surrounded the protestors. He believes that this showed that the current leaders of Utah failed to have the most critical dialogue and that it was wrong to bring out the national guard, without exhausting all diplomatic options first.
The next question for the candidates pertained to the idea of defunding the police, and the efficacy of that policy path. All four candidates stated that it isn't the right path to travel down. Cox explained that now is the time to invest more money into the police and show that there is reform possible. Hughes pointed out that the ongoing problems are rooted in Mayor Mendenhall pitting the citizens against the police, and we need to show people that the police are the good guys. Huntsman wants to provide a roadmap and create problem-solving solutions with all stakeholders. Wright wants to direct the department of public safety to go to the POST council and change new officer curriculum.
The candidates then discussed the state's COVID-19 response, and how the administration has "politicized" it. Huntsman remarked that he has incredible admiration for public health experts. He believes that the COVID response should've been led by health professionals, and the lack of transparency and accountability has prevented us from seeing the true political stretch from the current administration. Thomas Wright believes that Utahns can be trusted to do the right thing and that Spencer Cox was in control of the wrong things (no-bid contracts, testing). Greg Hughes maintains that spending done by the state was not worth it, and they have caused significant damage to the economy. L.G. Cox pointed to the great sacrifice that Utahns have made. He admits that they made mistakes, but criticism will always come hand-in-hand with leadership.
The candidates were then asked about the future of Utah. Tax reform the first topic of many. Greg Hughes explained that the population of Utah cannot be shoehorned, and we need to prioritize economic growth. Wright believes that we need leaders to tighten our belts and prioritize spending instead of raising taxes. Spencer Cox maintained that there was no other option than to raise taxes, but this isn't the time for tax reform but rather to maximize and prioritize spending. Huntsman believes that the initial food tax was tone-deaf, and this is the time to tighten and realign our state's tax strategy.
The debate then shifted on the future of education in Utah. Spencer Cox is going to use the education rainy day fund. Greg Hughes wants to re-figure the curriculum to better navigate things like slavery and religious history. Thomas Wright wants to de-regulate schools and let teachers teach, as well as providing them with higher wages. Huntsman wants to facilitate an environment that creates world-class education in the state.
The final portion closed with questions about Medicaid expansion. Thomas Wright believes that the government is causing the problems making healthcare unaffordable, and it is necessary to have free-market health care facilities. Greg Hughes wants to make the state more sovereign from the federal government. Spencer Cox wants to provide the state autonomy from the federal government, and sure that the state remains a laboratory of democracy. Huntsman believes that many of these problems need to be solved at a local level, and transparency is the key to solving truncated problems in the health care system.
The four candidates gave closing remarks, commending each other for their hard work as well as asking voters to support them. This was a very important debate, at a critical juncture in our nation and state's history. The next few days, months, and years will lay down the path for the next generation of politicians, business owners, and leaders to create the world they seek to find. This will require savvy, adaptable, and empathetic leaders. We hope that this debate provided clarity on which path the voters in the great state of Utah want to travel down. June 19th is the last day that voters can register to vote in the Republican primary. You can register online at https://vote.utah.gov/.
If you want to watch the full debate it is available here.