This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated.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.

Only 11 percent of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing, yet 96 percent of congressional incumbents were re-elected in 2014. Something is wrong. We need debates in the local communities of every congressional district in Utah to educate people on their congressional race. I have challenged Rep. Jason Chaffetz to debates in Moab, Price, Provo and Sandy during the month of August, when Congress will be in recess.

Congress is the most direct channel for the people's voice into our government. The Constitution addresses the legislative branch in its first article, and gives the people more power to change Congress more rapidly than any other branch of government. I want every voter in Utah's 3rd District to know my name, to know why and how I am different from Chaffetz, and to know they can choose between us on Nov. 8.

One debate for each district is not enough. We should hold several debates in small communities where people can participate. I will go anywhere, any time to debate. Let's give people a chance to ask us questions and see us answer them live. Let's make Congress the focus of the election this November.

Stephen P. Tryon

Salt Lake City Stephen Tryon is the Democratic candidate for the Utah's 3rd District seat in Congress.