Democrat Jeanetta Williams is challenging Rep. Matt MacPherson in the race for House District 26.
MacPherson, a West Valley City Republican, took the seat in October 2023 after winning in a special election. His predecessor, Quinn Kotter, resigned after one term.
Williams has been the president of Salt Lake City NAACP for 30 years and is an advocate for police reform, hate crime legislation and public school funding, according to her website.
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?
Matt MacPherson: Utah should be using all available power generation options as we have a tremendous amount of growth and power requirements now and in the near future
Jeanetta Williams: Yes. Invest and investigate research with solar power.
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?
MacPherson: Homeowners contribute little to our overall water challenges, and while individual conservation is important and useful, its impact is unfortunately small. Investments in farming and industrial water usage technology can yield better results.
Williams: Yes. There should be stricter household water usage. Town hall meetings with organizations should be held to discuss the need for water restrictions.
What policy changes would you support to address Utah’s affordable housing crisis?
MacPherson: Reducing time, cost and complexity of permits and zoning requirements is one step. Ultimately we need a larger supply to keep up with the huge increase in demand.
Williams: I would address Utah‘s affordable housing crisis by advocating for increased access to affordable housing and protect peoples’ rights to ensure stable and equitable housing opportunities. Work to address housing disparities and inequities.
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?
MacPherson: Yes.
Williams: No.
Would you support a state constitutional amendment to ban abortion?
MacPherson: Yes.
Williams: No.
Should there be other restrictions on reproductive health care — especially fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization?
MacPherson: I support IVF as its goal is to create human life. There are technical advancements that would benefit this area while reducing the drawbacks.
Williams: I would argue against restrictions on reproductive healthcare. There should not be an in vitro fertilization ban.
Are you voting for or against the constitutional amendment that removes the requirement that income taxes be used for education and social services? Why?
MacPherson: I would likely vote for this as our funding for education in particular is unnecessarily tied to a portion of our tax base that is likely lowering and should be funded as a priority from our gross tax receipts, not just one source.
Williams: I will be voting against. If it passes, this amendment would harm how Utah funds public education which would likely open the doors for private school vouchers. I am in full support of public education.
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?
MacPherson: No.
Williams: No.
