Richard Mack

Also see Richard Mack's answers to an April questionnaire on the top issues

Birthdate: December 27, 1952

Birthplace: St. Louis, Missouri

Current city of residence: Provo

Family members: Dawn, spouse; Josh, 28; Rich, 26; Luci, 24; Mandy, 21; Jimmy, 16

Education: Brigham Young, B.A., 1978

Current occupation: Author, speaker, entrepreneur

Hobbies/Interests: Golf, jogging, music, theater, travel

Using 150 to 200 words, please state your reasons for running for governor. What compels you to take on this tremendous responsibility?

Someone once said that if you always do what you’ve always done, you would always get what you’ve always gotten. Politics as usual in Utah has resulted in a bigger state government, higher state taxes, and more restrictions on our freedoms. I am among a growing number of Utahns, including Republicans and Democrats, who have recognized the need to change what we’re doing.

History teaches us that our quality of life improves when the political class contracts and civil society expands.

Unfortunately, the fastest growing sector for job growth in Utah is government. Because government consumes wealth instead of creates it, continued government growth is not sustainable. Furthermore, higher taxes feed wasteful spending and an increasing regulatory burden, all of which interferes with the people of Utah’s ability to enjoy the blessings of liberty.

I am both honored and humbled that a growing number of Utahns are supporting my candidacy for governor so that we can return to less government, lower taxes, and more freedom.

As a candidate for governor, what are your key campaign messages?

·         During this campaign, I will talk about two groups in Utah. One group I call “civil society,” which is comprised of the people of Utah, the “grass roots.” The other group I call the “political class,” which is populated by anyone employed by or dependent upon the State of Utah or its political subdivisions. I’m running for governor to govern the State of Utah, not the people of Utah.

·         The State of Utah should serve the people of Utah, not the other way around. As Utah’s governor, I will not only uphold my oath to obey and defend the United States and Utah constitutions, but hold the State of Utah’s employees accountable to the people they serve. Article I, Section 2 of Utah’s Constitution declares: “All political power is inherent in the people; and all free governments are founded on their authority for their equal protection and benefit.”  As Utah’s governor, I will work to ensure that the State of Utah’s employees protect and respect the individual rights and responsibilities of every Utahn.

·         The people of Utah and the State of Utah are the proper and rightful stewards of the natural resources within our borders. As Utah’s governor, I will champion our state’s rights by working to remove federal activity within Utah’s borders where it does not belong.

What do you consider to be the top three issues currently facing Utah?  Please list them in order of priority to you and your candidacy and explain why they are important to you and to Utah.

#1. Jobs. The State of Utah cripples civil society’s creation of jobs in at least three ways. First, the State of Utah participates directly and wastefully in the marketplace, undermining or crowding out completely civil society’s delivery of goods and services. Second, the State of Utah imposes unnecessary regulations on those members of civil society who provide goods and services, which raises the costs of those goods and services for consumers. Third, the State of Utah discourages not only out-of-state firms from relocating and bringing jobs here, but also home-grown businesses because they are disadvantaged by so-called “economic development” programs, which provides corporate welfare to politically-favored firms only. As governor, I will curtail these practices so that Utahns can experience increased job growth and economic activity.

#2. Education. The “free” public education system mandated by the Utah Constitution proves the saying: “You get what you pay for.”  Although as governor I would support the maintenance of a public education system to serve the most needy and vulnerable children in Utah, the existing system is unsustainable. Therefore, as governor I would support the adoption of tuition tax credits to stimulate an educational renaissance of “independent schools” outside of the public education system. Furthermore, I will encourage as many of Utah’s parents and children as possible to support and attend these independent schools to accommodate future generations of education consumers.

#3. State’s rights. The precedent set in Mack v. U.S., 521 U.S. 98 (1997), which would invalidate many costly federal mandates upon state governments, remains largely unused by most states, including Utah.  As governor, I would order a review of all federal mandates impacting Utah programs, and work with the people of Utah and their representatives to eliminate those mandates where the costs outweighed the benefits. In addition, as governor I will order a review of federal operations in Utah and will work toward a transfer of those operations, where appropriate, to the people of Utah or the State of Utah.

What are your most important business or political accomplishments? How would those accomplishments help you be a more effective governor?

I was the lead plaintiff in Mack v. U.S., 521 U.S. 98 (1997), and successfully challenged the federal government’s attempted intrusion upon the authority of state and local governments. The lessons from that experience taught me about the proper relationship among the local, state and federal governments in our constitutional republic, and that experience will help me be a more effective governor.

As a 20-year veteran of law enforcement and twice-elected county sheriff, where I was often called upon to apply the government’s policies to my neighbors, I have also learned that there are limits on what the law can accomplish.

What are your most important civic or community accomplishments or involvements? How would those accomplishments help you be a more effective governor?

Among the most important efforts I was involved in was the establishment of a first-of-its-kind coalition of parents and troubled teens when I was a school resource officer in Provo. The coalition brought together school administrators, parents, and their children to address the drug problem.

Another important effort I was involved with was my work as a Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) instructor. Although certain aspects of the DARE program have been rightly criticized, they are being improved and I believe it is valuable for police officers to develop a working relationship with elementary and middle school students.

Both of these efforts involved opening lines of communication, overcoming denials that there is a problem, recognizing the problem, and working toward a solution. An effective governor needs these people skills.

What skills, talents, and strengths do you have that enhance your ability to be an effective governor?

My experience as both a law enforcement officer and elected county official has shown me that government employees cannot effectively carry out their essential duties when they are overwhelmed by non-essential, but politically fashionable, mandates. As a result, I will resist initiatives that threaten to compromise government’s core function: to protect the individual’s enjoyment of life, liberty and property.

I believe my principles and values are among my strengths. The people of Utah will not have to worry whether I will compromise my fundamental beliefs for the sake of political expediency. Similarly, Utah’s business community will improve its ability to make long-term plans with a predictable governor in office.

My educational and professional experiences have also given me fluency in a second language (Spanish), and the skills to bring people together from different communities and cultures.

Finally, I know what it’s like to lose a job, look for work, and make personal sacrifices to provide for my family. The political class will view this as a weakness to exploit, but the people of Utah will understand why I am on their side.

Why do you belong to your political party? Why is your party the right one to lead Utah at this time?

I believe that the person is more important than the partisan affiliation. I was elected twice as a Democrat. And I’ve been an active Republican. But with time and study I’ve come to realize that my views about the proper role of a limited government have more in common with those advocated by the members of the Constitution Party, the Independent American Party, and the Libertarian Party. I have no doubt that many Republicans, Democrats, and those with no partisan affiliation also share these views.

I am proud that my candidacy has received the endorsement of both the Constitution Party of Utah and the Independent American Party of Utah in this race. I intend to be the nominee of the Libertarian Party of Utah. But if elected I intend to work with every Utahn, regardless of his or her party affiliation, who wants to join me in restoring constitutionally-limited government, reducing taxes and spending, and reclaiming the freedom to run our own lives.