The Democrat running for Utah’s 1st Congressional District has pledged not to vote along party lines if elected.
Bill Campbell said he favors protecting fertility treatments and easier pathways to legal immigration but also backs Utah having better control of government lands.
He and Libertarian Daniel Cottam are challenging incumbent Republican Rep. Blake Moore for a seat in Congress representing northern Utah, including Box Elder, Cache, Rich, Morgan and Weber counties and parts of Davis, Morgan, Salt Lake and Summit counties.
The Salt Lake Tribune submitted the same set of questions, based on top issues readers said they were watching in this election, to each candidate. The questions and their answers that appear below — with the candidates listed in alphabetical order — may have been edited slightly for length, style or grammar.
(Campbell campaign) Bill Campbell, the Democratic nominee for the 1st Congressional District election.
What specifically would you do in Congress to mitigate the impacts of climate change on Utah?
Bill Campbell: My climate policy focuses on clean air, clean water and open spaces. I will advocate for better Utah control over government lands. I support economic growth with a strong preference toward industries that do not negatively impact our air, water and majestic scenery.
Daniel Cottam: Declined to answer.
Blake Moore: Declined to answer.
Daniel Cottam is running for Utah's 1st Congressional District
As a member of Congress, what solutions would you propose or support for states that rely on a diminishing Colorado River?
Campbell: Clean water supply is a significant and increasing challenge. My primary solution involves innovation, namely desalination technology at the large demand end user (California), which would increase Utah’s supply from the Colorado River.
Cottam: Declined to answer.
Moore: Declined to answer.
Would you support legislation that protects fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization?
Campbell: Strengthening the family unit is one of the best policy directions we can take (with promoting faith). Yes, I fully support IVF and personally know several families blessed with a child using this method. IVF is one issue on which my opponent and I strongly differ. Life itself is precious. We should strongly support solutions that enable and strengthen families.
Cottam: Declined to answer.
Moore: Declined to answer.
Do you support easier pathways to legal immigration?
Campbell: Yes.
Cottam: Declined to answer.
Moore: Declined to answer.
Do you support re-opening the application process for young people eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program?
Campbell: Yes.
Cottam: Declined to answer.
Moore: Declined to answer.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Rep. Blake Moore (UT-01) participates in a congressional round table during the Conservative Climate Summit 2024 at Utah Valley University in Orem on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.
As suggested by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, do you support mass deportations of undocumented residents?
Campbell: We must secure our border! I support legal immigration. We can not easily and efficiently deport 10 million undocumented residents. I would focus on the most dangerous persons and immediately deport them.
Cottam: Declined to answer.
Moore: Declined to answer.
What will you do to end toxic partisanship in Washington?
Campbell: My priorities include focusing on You, not special interests for some interests incite divisiveness for their political benefit. I am the candidate who signed the Dignity Pledge treating everyone with respect. On Sept. 12, I hosted the first of its kind “We the People Means Everyone” event, inviting all candidates and citizens regardless of party. My website Bill4U.org includes all eight political parties’ platforms so they can define themselves and not be misrepresented by others. I pledged not to vote straight party line. Unlike my opponents, I have not made a loyalty oath to another candidate or to a political party.
Cottam: Declined to answer.
Moore: Declined to answer.
