Republican incumbent Rep. Nelson Abbott is running against Democratic challenger Alan Franke Keele to secure another term representing Utah’s House District 57.
Abbott’s legislative tenure began in January 2021. An attorney, Abbott has sponsored bills concerning civil commitment, competency and criminal prosecution.
This is Keele’s third campaign for the Utah House of Representatives. He lost his 2018 bid in the general election and, in 2012, dropped out of the race prior to the Democratic primary election.
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?
Nelson Abbott: Did not answer.
Alan Frank Keele: Encourage rooftop solar instead of trying to squelch it in numerous ways.
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?
Abbott: Did not answer.
Keele: Some locals are punishing owners for xeriscaping! Orem comes to mind.
What policy changes would you support to address Utah’s affordable housing crisis?
Abbott: Did not answer.
Keele: Vote for Vice President Kamala Harris, who has a federal plan that will work
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?
Abbott: Did not answer.
Keele: No.
Would you support a state constitutional amendment to ban abortion?
Abbott: Did not answer.
Keele: No.
Should there be other restrictions on reproductive health care — especially fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization?
Abbott: Did not answer.
Keele: Duh! Of course not. Is this Texas?
Are you voting for or against the constitutional amendment that removes the requirement that income taxes be used for education and social services? Why?
Abbott: Did not answer.
Keele: Against. Utah Legislators have shown that they are not operating above board on such matters — such as vouchers by another name, etc. They may give that money to a hockey franchise
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?
Abbott: Did not answer.
Keele: No.
