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.

Annette McRae wants to “return land-use decisions to elected cities and counties” and rein in the powers of Utah’s Military Installation Development Authority.

McRae, a Forward Party candidate, is challenging Republican incumbent Ronald Winterton for the Senate District 20 seat that represents parts of Summit and Wasatch counties and stretches to the state’s eastern edge.

McRae is a mother of five, and part of “an oilfield family,” her website says. Winterton has been in the Utah Senate since 2019, and served on the Duchesne County Commission for a decade before that.

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.

Winterton did not respond to 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?

Annette McRae: Voters feel shut out when major decisions are made behind closed doors, public records are delayed, and state power overrides local voters. I have already filed GRAMA (public records) requests, challenged threats to local funding, and published what I find. I will show my work, disclose conflicts, protect local control and vote according to both constitutions and the people I represent.

Ronald Winterton: 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?

McRae: Utah must grow more of what Utah eats and strengthen local supply chains so families are less exposed to rising food and fuel costs. I will advance truly affordable housing through rebuild-first programs, local builders, self-help construction and permanent owner-occupancy protections.

I will lower property taxes by stopping new Public Infrastructure Districts and helping communities refinance and pay off public bonds early through voluntary community investment funding.

Winterton: 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?

McRae: Utah should budget water by basin before approving growth. I support enforceable Great Salt Lake minimums and completion of the long-delayed Green River water projects promised to the Uintah Basin, while honoring Ute Tribe and senior rights.

We need full wastewater reuse, purple pipe in new construction and retrofits, treated produced water for large industrial users, and farm optimization that lets producers share in savings. Data centers must not default to drinking water.

Winterton: Did not respond.

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

McRae: Local control and constitutional government. I will work to repeal SB258, end preliminary municipalities, and return land-use decisions to elected cities and counties. I will confine MIDA to its original military purpose and oppose unelected boards using public money or tax authority for private development.

Cities and counties are not colonies of the governor’s office. Public records, open meetings and meaningful voter consent must come before major public commitments.

Winterton: 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.

McRae: Against.

Winterton: 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.

McRae: Against.

Winterton: Did not respond.

What’s your favorite book and why?

McRae: “The Law” by Frédéric Bastiat. Its warning is simple: Government should protect life, liberty, and property, not use public power to take from one person for another’s benefit. I use that principle as my “Bastiat Filter” for every policy.

Winterton: Did not respond.