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.

Voters in House District 37 will choose between incumbent Rep. Ashlee Matthews, a Democrat, and Republican nominee Casey Saxton to represent them this November.

Matthews has represented the Kearns-area district in the Legislature since 2023, and represented the Holliday area prior to redistricting. Her campaign and legislative agenda has focused on supporting Utah families, child care affordability and maternal health care, among other issues. Saxton, her GOP challenger, has focused his campaign on public safety, housing affordability and small government.

Election Day is Nov. 3. Mail 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.

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?

Matthews: Based on the feedback that I have been getting from constituents and neighbors, a lot of it comes from the lack of balance and oversight in our elected bodies. Because we live in a one-party majority from the state level up to the federal level, it makes it easier to pass legislation that is unpopular or unnecessary. (We saw that mostly recently with HB267.)

Saxton: I think all people, regardless of their politics, want to have confidence in their government and trust in government processes. When suspicion arises about things like corruption, ethics and wasteful spending, I believe that sunlight is the best disinfectant. I am very supportive of independent audits, including financial audits and performance audits. Accountability and transparency help restore trust and keep government officials from ever treading near the line of corruption.

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?

Matthews: One thing that I have consistently been focused on is access to affordable, quality childcare. Most families find it is their second-highest expense every month, only after housing. If they don’t have reliable, affordable childcare, they aren’t able to show up to work and participate in the economy. I consider the childcare industry to be the foundation that the entire economy is built upon, and I will continue to work on stabilizing the industry and helping both providers and parents.

Saxton: Without inserting itself into private business, government is best positioned to have an impact on affordability through tax policy, regulatory structure and spending. I support reducing the state income tax, believe we should consider removing state income tax from Social Security, and explore property tax reform. I support regulatory reform efforts that reduce timelines and costs to make permitting, licensing, building and operations easier for businesses wherever government is involved.

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?

Matthews: This next session, the water policies that I am watching closest are those that reduce water usage for commercial and industrial properties, as well as those that are looking to limit growth to only that which can be done responsibly.

Saxton: I will support the continuation of educational programs related to water conservation and water-efficient landscaping. I will support policies and programs that educate farmers about optimizing their water use and that help deploy technologies to aid in that effort. I will support research and feasibility studies related to augmenting our supply of our water through external sources. Water is a renewable resource, and with enough ingenuity, I believe this is a solvable problem.

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

Matthews: Expanding after-school programming and extra-curricular activities for our kids is something that the families in my district are very concerned about. In this economy, both parents are working, and oftentimes are working more than one job each, and they just want to know that their kids are in safe, healthy places and situations while their parents are not able to have their eyes on them.

Saxton: Public safety is an important issue for the West Side. People desire to live in safe neighborhoods. I support upholding the rule of law. When someone breaks the law, justice should be served in an objective, colorblind way. I support well-funded law enforcement departments as well as treatment, rehabilitation, training and vocational programs for folks who have messed up. I will support efforts that help get human- and community-destroying illicit drugs off the streets.

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.

Matthews: For.

Saxton: For.

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.

Matthews: Against.

Saxton: For.

What’s your favorite book and why?

Matthews: Of all the questions on this list, this one is by far the hardest (I LOVE books). The book that I read most recently that I’m still thinking about would probably be “The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women” by Kate Moore.

Saxton: Nonfiction: “The Magic of Thinking Big” by David Schwartz. This book teaches about the importance of not limiting ourselves and pursuing what is possible. Highly recommend! Fiction: The “Harry Potter” series.