Note to readers • Democratic candidate Karli Black submitted her answers to The Salt Lake Tribune’s survey after this guide was published. It has been updated with her responses.

Click here to find an interactive map where you can enter your address to see all the races on your ballot that have a voter guide from The Salt Lake Tribune.

Two candidates are campaigning for a Utah County seat in the state House of Representatives this fall.

Incumbent Rep. David Shallenberger, R-Orem, is looking to represent House District 58, which also includes a sliver of Wasatch County, for a second term. His Democratic opponent is Karli Black, a co-founder of a commercial real estate brokerage.

During the 2026 general session in Capitol Hill, Shallenberger worked on a bill that provides other routes to accessing Utah’s Wildlife Management Areas other than through the purchase of a hunting or fishing license. He also ran a bill that barred the state engineer from considering impacts on recreation and the environment when someone applies for water rights.

Shallenberger’s campaign website also lists education, limited taxation and economic development as priorities.

Black is focused on affordability, especially in housing, access to early childhood education, and air quality.

The candidates are vying for votes in the district, which covers eastern Lindon, eastern Orem, northeastern Provo and Sundance.

The Salt Lake Tribune invited both candidates to answer a questionnaire featuring reader questions about affordability, government corruption, water resources and their stances on two constitutional amendments included on the ballot this year.

Shallenberger did not reply to multiple requests to fill out the questionnaire.

Election Day is Nov. 3. Mail ballots must be dropped off at a ballot dropbox by 8 p.m. on Election Day or, if returned by mail, must be received by the county clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

Utah voters told us government corruption is their top concern in this year’s election. Why do you think voters feel this way? And why should Utahns trust you to represent them?

Karli Black: Utahns see big decisions made fast and behind closed doors, voter-passed initiatives overturned and public records harder to get. That isn’t partisan — it’s a trust problem. I’m a proud Democrat, but I’ll work with anyone, Republican or Democrat, who wants clean government. I’ll post every vote and meeting with lobbyists, refuse corporate political action committee money and back independent ethics oversight. You don’t have to agree with me on everything to know I’ll answer to you, not insiders.

David Shallenberger: Did not answer.

Utahns told us affordability is their second-highest priority in this election. How would you help Utahns afford housing, groceries, gas and other day-to-day expenses?

Black: Affordability isn’t a red or blue issue; it’s a kitchen-table one. On housing, I’ll work across the aisle to cut red tape so starter homes and town homes get built faster. I’ll look for ways to ease the everyday costs that hit working families hardest, from groceries to childcare. I’ll judge every bill by one test: does it leave money in your pocket?

Shallenberger: Did not answer.

Water resources were also a top concern for voters. What policies would you support as Utah looks to balance growth with preservation of the Great Salt Lake and the Colorado River?

Black: Water is an issue that’s deeply important to me, and it deserves more than guesswork. I’ll lean on the people who know it best: scientists at our universities, groups like the Utah Rivers Council, farmers and water managers. I’ll support conservation that pays farmers to save water, smarter landscaping in new growth and getting more water to the Great Salt Lake. On the Colorado River, I’ll defend Utah’s share while working with neighbor states. This will get my full attention.

Shallenberger: Did not answer.

What is another topic you care about and want to address if elected to public office?

Black: Public education. As a mother of eight, including a child with special needs, and as someone who has worked in education, I’ve seen what happens when kids get the support they need, and when they don’t. I’ll fight to protect and strengthen Utah’s public schools so every student, from those with special needs to our most advanced learners, gets everything they need to succeed. That means backing our teachers, keeping class sizes manageable and letting no child fall through the cracks.

Shallenberger: Did not answer.

How will you vote on Constitutional Amendment A? If passed, the amendment will stop the practice of publishing the full text of amendments and ballot questions by lawmakers in a newspaper for 60 days ahead of an election and instead require that text to be published on two state websites.

Black: Against.

Shallenberger: Did not answer.

How will you vote on Constitutional Amendment B? If passed, citizen-proposed laws that increase taxes would need to be approved by 60% of voters, instead of a simple majority.

Black: Against.

Shallenberger: Did not answer.

What’s your favorite book and why?

Black: “Team of Rivals” and “To Kill a Mockingbird.” Lincoln invited his fiercest critics into his cabinet because the country mattered more than his pride. Atticus Finch defended a man everyone else had abandoned. That’s the courage I want to bring to Utah.

Shallenberger: Did not answer.