Democrat Steve Merrill is vying to unseat incumbent Rep. Rex Shipp in the race for Utah’s House District 71.
Shipp, a Republican, has represented the district since 2019 and has supported bills related to firearm safety in schools. A member of the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA), Shipp has managed residential and commercial units, convenience stores and fast food restaurants.
Merrill is a software development manager based in Cedar City. If elected, Merrill promises to undo the state’s restrictions affecting “access to literature,” according to his campaign 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?
Steve Merrill: Any efforts to find alternative energy sources, especially those that sustain a healthy environment, need to be pursued. We must look to a clean future.
Rex Shipp: 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?
Merrill: Subsidizing homeowners’ efforts is helpful, but has limited effect. We need to pursue ways to improve water efficiency in our agriculture sector, and I think we should work with other states to balance their oversaturation with our drought.
Shipp: Did not answer.
What policy changes would you support to address Utah’s affordable housing crisis?
Merrill: I do not have a great answer to our affordable and accessible housing issues. I believe we, as a state, would be best served by bringing in developers, realtors, housing advocates and other interested parties to find a solution and support it.
Shipp: Did not answer.
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?
Merrill: No.
Shipp: Did not answer.
Would you support a state constitutional amendment to ban abortion?
Merrill: No.
Shipp: Did not answer.
Should there be other restrictions on reproductive health care — especially fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization?
Merrill: Our legislature needs to get out of our family planning and doctors’ offices. It is time we take back our freedoms and elect a government that serves.
Shipp: 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?
Merrill: Did not answer.
Shipp: 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?
Merrill: No.
Shipp: Did not answer.
