Incumbent Utah House District 16 Republican Rep. Trevor Lee is running against challenger Daniela Harding to continue representing Layton and South Weber-area of Davis County.
Lee was elected to the Legislature in 2022. Harding is the former Davis County Republican party chair.
The Tribune sent each candidate six questions, gave them a deadline and word limit and informed candidates that their answers may be edited for clarity and length. Lee responded and Harding asked not to participate in the voter guide.
1. Utah’s largest electricity provider has canceled plans to replace its coal-fired power plants with nuclear power and has walked back comments about investing in clean energy.
Should Utah, while it actively supports housing and business development, also be looking for more sustainable and less fossil fuel and carbon-dependent energy sources?
Daniela Harding: No response
Trevor Lee: Utah needs to continue to use clean, reliable coal for our energy. It’s one of the reasons our energy costs are the second lowest in the country. With inflation running rampant, low costs will help Utahns.
2. Yes or no: Is climate change negatively impacting Utah?
Harding: No response
Lee: No
3. Water scarcity continues to be a challenge for the state. Recent legislation has attempted to conserve water and get more to the Great Salt Lake and Colorado River.
Should Utah do more to subsidize homeowners to conserve water? Should laws require large users to pay more for water? What other steps should state government take to deal with water scarcity?
Harding: No response
Lee: Utah should charge water on a usage basis. That way if someone wants to water more, they can.
4. Yes or no: Do you support building the Lake Powell Pipeline?
Harding: No response
Lee: Yes
5. Triggered after the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, Utah’s current law bans nearly all abortions — except in instances of sexual crimes, when there is a fatal fetal abnormality or when the mother’s life is at risk. For now, that law is currently on hold in the courts and an 18-week ban is active in Utah. More or fewer: Should Utah’s trigger law have more or fewer restrictions?
Harding: No response
Lee: The trigger law is great as is. It will save thousands of babies
6. For or against: Are you voting for or against the constitutional amendment that removes the requirement that income taxes be used for education and social services?
Harding: No response
Lee: I voted for it.
Follow @HUFH4M