Note to readers • 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.

Democrat Anita Dalrymple and Forward Party candidate Wales Nematollahi both see government policy as an important tool for reducing household costs.

The two are challenging Republican incumbent Nicholeen Peck for the Utah House District 28 seat, representing the very northeastern portion of Tooele County, including Tooele and Stansbury Park.

Election Day is Nov. 3. Mail-in 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.

Candidates submitted photos and answers through a questionnaire. Answers may have been edited for style and clarity. Candidate responses are listed in alphabetical order by last name.

Peck did not respond to requests to fill out the questionnaire.

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?

Anita Dalrymple: Politicians are openly pushing the agendas of donors over the will of voters. Citizens United, AIPAC and billionaires are controlling the direction of our country and our state. I am running on a platform of eliminating corruption through term limits, campaign contribution and spending limits, and transparency in decision-making. I’m also pushing for better use of scientific evidence vs. opinions of politicians and their donors. I do not accept money from PACs or corporations.

Wales Nematollahi: Voters rightly view corruption as a top concern because of verifiable media reports of misconduct, false propaganda eroding faith in elections, and gerrymandering that favors parties over people. Utahns can trust me because, as a Forward Party candidate, I answer to constituents, not party bosses. I shall prioritize my constituents’ interests over top-down party directives, and focus on communication, transparency, accountability and fair elections.

Nicholeen Peck: Did not respond.

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?

Dalrymple: Minimum wage is woefully low and must be corrected. A more complex issue is the lie that trickle-down economics helps the working class. We need to take that welfare crutch away from corporations. We need to remove tax incentives and loopholes that allow them to steal value added by workers.

Additionally, oil is now a problem, so we should facilitate buying locally. The less we transport, the more we save.

Another issue is dignifying assistance programs. Getting help should be shameless.

Nematollahi: To improve housing affordability, repair fixable homes. Expand multiunit housing with about a 10% low-income set-aside. Lower renter move-in costs. Reduce regulatory fees and cap unnecessary city fees for new homes. Provide one month of emergency rent/mortgage aid so layoffs or medical bills will not cause evictions or foreclosures. Fix taxes for seniors on fixed incomes.

To lower food and gas prices, we must reduce tariffs and end unnecessary foreign wars that drive up fuel and delivery costs.

Peck: Did not respond.

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?

Dalrymple: Require current water reconciliation studies for every water source; compare actual water availability to water rights; and balance the water budget by proportionally reducing rights to water availability. Learn to say “NO” to new uses for dormant rights. Create a legal “priority” use matrix with humans and wildlife (e.g., Great Salt Lake wetlands) at the top of the structure.

All other uses must comply with objective benefits-to-harm risk management processes. Thoughtful, scientifically vetted growth only.

Nematollahi: Include all stakeholders, including Native American nations, in policy decisions. Expand voluntary agricultural water leasing and strengthen protections for conserved water rights. Simplify temporary water dedication to the Great Salt Lake and incentivize drip irrigation. Fund pilot programs for low-water crops like kernza, a perennial wheatgrass with deep roots that uses under half the water of alfalfa. Provide technical assistance and market-based incentives for water-efficient farming.

Peck: Did not respond.

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

Dalrymple: This is 2026, yet our methods of interacting with our elected officials remain rooted in Robert’s Rules of Order from 1876. It’s time we leverage our commonly used technology to improve the way we provide our comments, concerns and critical issues to our representatives.

It’s equally important that we get immediate feedback and transparency from the processes used to run our government. I’d like live public polling during legislative voting, better communication during local meetings, etc.

Nematollahi: Improving resources and safety in Utah public schools; prevention of new huge data centers; abolishing the state tax on Social Security; establishing an east-west rail from the Uinta Basin to Tooele Valley, involving local and tribal consent and the 2034 Olympic timeline; improving highway safety with more reflective pavement markers, more signs on Utah highways, and safer ramps; judicial independence.

Peck: Did not respond.

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.

Dalrymple: Against.

Nematollahi: For.

Peck: Did not respond.

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.

Dalrymple: Against.

Nematollahi: Against.

Peck: Did not respond.

What’s your favorite book and why?

Dalrymple: “Introduction to Statistical Quality Control” by Douglas C. Montgomery is a great source of basic methods used to scientifically control the design and manufacturing of new products. I’ve been using it since college, and it’s regularly on my desk.

Nematollahi: “The Lord of the Rings,’ by J.R.R. Tolkien. Very few books inspire so much beauty and hope based on faith in me, and this is my favorite. Tolkien superbly created whole peoples, cultures, geographies and histories to create a coherent world.

Peck: Did not respond.