Entrepreneur Roy Piskadlo is challenging current Rep. Gay Lynn Bennion in the race for House District 41, which includes parts of Midvale, Murray and Cottonwood Heights.
The incumbent Democrat, who first ran in 2020, unseated then Rep. Jaren Davis, a Republican. Lynn Bennion won 60% of the vote.
Piskadlo is the chief origination officer at Avant Energy, according to his LinkedIn. He promises lower inflation and canyon preservation if elected.
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?
Gay Lynn Bennion: Utah has the potential to lead in geothermal energy production. We’re third in geothermal production and need to remove any barriers to this industry
Piskadlo: 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?
Lynn Bennion: Salt Lake Public Utilities and other water providers are increasing water rates, and this will help with conservation as we pay more of the true costs of water. The state should support farmers transitioning to regenerative practices.
Piskadlo: Did not answer.
What policy changes would you support to address Utah’s affordable housing crisis?
Lynn Bennion: I sponsored a short-term rental bill last session. Short-term rentals remove housing from use by local residents and increase home prices. We need to increase the supply of affordable housing and limit the impact of investors in the housing market.
Piskadlo: Did not answer.
Gay Lynn Bennion
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?
Lynn Bennion: No.
Piskadlo: Did not answer.
Would you support a state constitutional amendment to ban abortion?
Lynn Bennion: No.
Piskadlo: Did not answer.
Should there be other restrictions on reproductive health care — especially fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization?
Lynn Bennion: Reproductive health care, especially fertility treatments, should be left to health care providers and patients.
Piskadlo: 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?
Lynn Bennion: I’m voting against Amendment A because we continue to underfund public education and this amendment does not guarantee that the legislature will improve support for public education.
Piskadlo: 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?
Lynn Bennion: No.
Piskadlo: Did not answer.
