For the first time this election season, Utah’s four gubernatorial candidates from major parties sat at the same table and discussed what one political group said are Utah’s top issues.
The lunch with the future governor event was part of the unveiling of the Utah Foundation’s 2016 Utah Priorities list. It’s a project the Utah Foundation has done for the past several elections, surveying voters to understand what issues they think are the most important.
The list puts health care and air quality at the top of the priorities list, followed by education and state taxes and government spending. Utah Foundation President Steve Kroes said the purpose is to help guide campaign discussions.
“We don’t want the candidates trying to sling mud at each other and do personality attacks and stuff,” he said. “We want to try and influence them to focus on the issues that matter the most.”
Thursday’s panel was fairly mild in terms of discussion, with candidates mostly focusing on their stance on the issues, and trying to sell themselves to the audience, which was made up mostly of foundation donors.
But all three challengers made sure to point out the difference between them and incumbent Governor Gary Herbert.
View Article