This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
In Utah's Democratic Senate primary, Jonathan Swinton and Misty K. Snow agree that the nation needs to offer a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, limit money in politics and respond aggressively to climate change. They have very different views on some other high-profile issues. Here are a few of their differences.
Healthcare • Swinton argues for changes to the Affordable Care Act, such as creating a government-run insurance plan to compete against private companies in the exchanges. He also wants to place a cap on drug-company profits in the hope that would force more money into research and development of new treatments or cheaper pharmaceuticals.
Snow wants to see the country move to a single-payer system, essentially by expanding Medicare, the health system now available to the nation's senior citizens. She calls health care a human right.
Minimum wage • Swinton says the federal minimum wage should rise to $10, maybe $12 and that some cities or states with higher costs of living should boost it more. He said raising it to $15 per hour across the board would create a burden on small businesses.
Snow has set forth a plan to increase the minimum wage each January until it reaches $15.25 in 2021 and, after that, adjust it based on purchasing power. She said $12 per hour isn't enough for families to live on.
Abortion • Swinton is against abortion except in cases of rape, incest or if the mother's health was in jeopardy. He said he wouldn't consider a Supreme Court nominees position on the issue.
Snow said abortion should remain legal and that she would oppose efforts to restrict it.
Matt Canham