In the House District 69 race, Logan James Monson and Davina Smith are running to represent much of south-central and southeastern Utah.
Smith, a Diné tribe member, will prioritize affordable healthcare for rural communities and a repeal of food sales tax. Smith currently works as a National Parks Conservation Association consultant.
Republican James Monson, according to his campaign website, promises local control of public lands and increased presence of school resource officers.
The winner of the election will replace Phil Lyman.
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?
Logan James Monson: Did not answer.
Davina Smith: Yes. Utah should focus on renewable energy like wind, solar, and hydro, reducing fossil fuel reliance to protect communities and the environment.
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?
Monson: Did not answer.
Smith: Yes. Utah should expand subsidies for homeowners’ water conservation efforts, like xeriscaping and rebates for low-flow fixtures. Protecting watersheds and promoting sustainable agriculture are key next steps.
What policy changes would you support to address Utah’s affordable housing crisis?
Monson: Did not answer.
Smith: I support increasing affordable housing through zoning reforms, incentives for developers to build low-income units, and expanding access to homeownership programs, especially for rural and underserved communities.
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?
Monson: Did not answer.
Smith: No.
Would you support a state constitutional amendment to ban abortion?
Monson: Did not answer.
Smith: No.
Should there be other restrictions on reproductive health care — especially fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization?
Monson: Did not answer.
Smith: No, I believe reproductive health care, including fertility treatments like IVF, should remain accessible, respecting personal and medical choices.
Are you voting for or against the constitutional amendment that removes the requirement that income taxes be used for education and social services? Why?
Monson: Did not answer.
Smith: I’m voting against the amendment. Utah schools, especially rural ones, are grossly underfunded. Removing the income tax requirement risks further cuts to vital education and social services.
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?
Monson: Did not answer.
Smith: No.
