The area covered by Utah’s Senate District 8 — which includes southern Davis County and a portion of northern Salt Lake County — has been represented by state Sen. Todd Weiler for over a decade.
The last time Weiler was up for reelection, he faced just one challenger — a Republican who lost to him in the 2020 primary election and later mounted a write-in campaign that fall. As he heads into a general election four years later, his competition has tripled.
Also on the ballot will be unaffiliated candidate Alisa Van Langeveld, Democratic nominee Aaron Wiley and Constitution Party nominee Laren Livingston.
Van Langeveld, a member of the North Salt Lake City Council, stepped into the race after seeing that two years prior, independent candidate Evan McMullin captured 57% of the vote in Senate District 8 against Republican U.S. Sen. Mike Lee.
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?
Laren Livingston: Did not answer.
Alisa Van Langeveld: Yes, Utah should be moving toward more sustainable energy options such as solar and geothermal energy.
Todd Weiler: Did not answer.
Aaron Wiley: Yes, Utah should invest in solar, wind, geothermal and energy efficiency to reduce fossil fuel dependence and promote a sustainable future.
(Van Langeveld campaign) Alisa Van Langeveld, center.
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?
Livingston: Did not answer.
Van Langeveld: Water conservation is a priority for the health of the Great Salt Lake. I support increased subsidies to homeowners for landscape conversions. I also support agricultural water conservation through monitoring and incentives.
Weiler: Did not answer.
Wiley: Utah should subsidize water conservation using methods like rebates for efficient appliances, xeriscaping and smart irrigation. We must lead transformation with technology and education, upgrade infrastructure, promote reuse and support efficient agriculture.
What policy changes would you support to address Utah’s affordable housing crisis?
Livingston: Did not answer.
Van Langeveld: Utah families are increasingly being priced out of home ownership. Part of the solution should include direct support to consumers such as grant programs to improve access to first-time and low-income home buyers used for existing or new homes.
Weiler: Did not answer.
Wiley: I support boosting funding for affordable housing, incentivizing developers and reducing zoning restrictions. We must collaborate with communities to ensure families thrive through effective solutions, mixed-use developments and renter protections.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross, at the Legislature on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023.
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?
Livingston: Did not answer.
Van Langeveld: No.
Weiler: Did not answer.
Wiley: No.
Would you support a state constitutional amendment to ban abortion?
Livingston: Did not answer.
Van Langeveld: No.
Weiler: Did not answer.
Wiley: No.
Should there be other restrictions on reproductive health care — especially fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization?
Livingston: Did not answer.
Van Langeveld: I believe women should have access to reproductive health care including fertility treatments. I do not support further restrictions.
Weiler: Did not answer.
Wiley: Utah families should be free to choose what’s best for them when building their families and accessing essential services.
Are you voting for or against the constitutional amendment that removes the requirement that income taxes be used for education and social services? Why?
Livingston: Did not answer.
Van Langeveld: I am against Amendment A. The current requirement for education spending has been a safety net for funding. If it is removed, I believe schools will receive even less. Public education is a valuable community resource, worthy of investment.
Weiler: Did not answer.
Wiley: I am voting against the amendment to remove the income tax requirement for education and social services. These are vital for our communities and funding must remain a priority to ensure all Utahns have access to quality education and support.
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?
Livingston: Did not answer.
Van Langeveld: No.
Weiler: Did not answer.
Wiley: No.
