Two candidates, Republican incumbent Lincoln Fillmore and independent Pamela Bloom, are looking to win Utah Senate District 17.
Fillmore, a one-time educator and now baker, did not respond to The Salt Lake Tribune’s questions. Bloom, a West Jordan City Council member, did.
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. The questions were sent to candidates before a Utah judge voided multiple amendments from ballots.
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 be looking for more sustainable and less fossil fuel and carbon-dependent energy sources? If so, how?
Pamela Bloom: Yes, Utah should invest in solar, wind and energy storage to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, create jobs and ensure a sustainable future.
Lincoln Fillmore: Did not answer.
Water scarcity continues to be a challenge for the state. Recent legislation has attempted to conserve water and to get more water to the Great Salt Lake and Colorado River.Should Utah do more to subsidize homeowners’ efforts to conserve water? What other steps should be taken to deal with water scarcity?
Bloom: Yes, Utah should subsidize water conservation efforts for homeowners. Additionally, we need to invest in water-efficient infrastructure, promote reuse programs and support sustainable agriculture to address the long-term challenges of water scarcity.
Fillmore: Did not answer.
What policy changes would you support to address Utah’s affordable housing crisis?
Bloom: I support incentivizing affordable housing, reforming zoning laws to boost supply and offering first-time homebuyer assistance. Collaboration with local municipalities and developers is crucial to solving Utah’s housing crisis.
Fillmore: Did not answer.
Following the Utah Supreme Court’s recent decision to keep a near-total abortion ban blocked, anti-abortion lawmakers and advocates called for additional legislative action to circumvent the court-ordered injunction.Would you support banning abortion after six weeks?
Bloom: No.
Fillmore: Did not answer.
Would you support a state constitutional amendment to ban abortion?
Bloom: No.
Fillmore: Did not answer.
Should there be other restrictions on reproductive health care — especially fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization?
Bloom: No, additional restrictions on reproductive health care, including fertility treatments like IVF, should not be imposed. Access must be protected.
Fillmore: Did not answer.
Are you voting for or against the constitutional amendment that removes the requirement that income taxes be used for education and social services? Why?
Bloom: I’m voting against the amendment. Income taxes should continue funding education and social services to ensure stable schools and protect essential support programs. Redirecting funds risks undermining these vital services.
Fillmore: Did not answer.
A Utah judge has voided Amendment D and said votes for or against it cannot be counted, but the state is appealing. Do you support changing the Utah Constitution to guarantee that the Legislature can repeal or amend ballot initiatives?
Bloom: No.
Fillmore: Did not answer.
