Note to readers • This story is made possible through a partnership between The Salt Lake Tribune and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization.

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.

Republican Rep. Karianne Lisonbee has opted not to run for reelection in House District 14, and Republican John Taylor and Democrat Brandon Young are vying to take her place.

Taylor is a veteran and has worked in business lobbying and the pharmaceuticals industry, according to his canidate website. Young is a digital media creator who has worked in marketing and public releations, according to his own website.

The district includes parts of Davis County, including much of Syracuse, and nearly borders the Great Salt Lake.

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?

Taylor: If you want to find corruption, follow the money. I intend to do what is right, not what makes money. I held a top secret security clearance for 10 years. I’ve been vetted. It’s hard to ask constituents to trust me with their vote. Trust is earned not given. It’s a leap of faith voting for a candidate. I recognize that. Voter remorse is a real thing. You may disagree with some of my decisions but you will never have to wonder if I’m being paid off. I hope to prove that to the voters.

Young: I think Utahns are frustrated when decisions affecting their lives happen without enough transparency, accountability or public input. Trust isn’t something politicians are entitled to — it has to be earned. We need elected officials to operate with honesty, transparency and integrity; listen to constituents, explain decisions and put the public interest ahead of political or personal interests.

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?

Taylor: Let’s look at what got us into this massive affordability crisis. It’s government spending. Forty trillion [in gross national debt] at the national level can only be dealt with via quantitative easing and that erodes our spending power and inflates prices in all categories. We must stop unnecessary spending at the state and national levels. Politicians cannot treat your tax dollars as their personal piggy banks. We should treat the people’s money as sacred funds.

Young: Affordability isn’t just about lowering costs — it’s about making sure wages keep pace with them. I want Utahns to earn enough to afford the basics without working multiple jobs or falling behind. I’ll fight to raise wages, close the gender wage gap, end government contracts to companies paying low wages and seek to implement incentives.

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?

Taylor: The Colorado River Compact needs to be redrawn so Lower Basin states have equitable access to water. Nonessential, water-intensive cash crops that are shipped out of state should be deprioritized, and water-wise food crops that stay in the local market should be incentivized. Industrial water wasters like data centers should be kept out of the state. Ranchers should be incentivized to raise lower water meats like poultry versus water-intensive cattle.

Young: Utah can grow without sacrificing our water future, but growth must be responsible. I’ll support stronger conservation, water-efficient development, agricultural water optimization and policies that dedicate water to the Great Salt Lake. We also need to plan growth around available water, protect the Colorado River through conservation and interstate cooperation, and invest in infrastructure that makes every drop count, not in water-consuming initiatives like data centers.

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

Taylor: I will be running legislation similar to Truth in Taxation but for private-public partnerships. “Truth in 3Ps” will insist that large-scale projects, like a massive data center being considered, is presented to the people in that community. Citizens deserve to hear and give feedback on these large projects that will impact their lives. We cannot let government ignore the voice and will of the people. My bill will insist that the communication process is followed for all future projects.

Young: I want to strengthen Utah’s response to sexual assault with clear, consistent and proportionate mandatory sentences for serious offenses. Similar crimes should carry similar consequences, rather than leaving survivors without justice because of sentencing disparities. But punishment alone isn’t enough. We must also address the culture of abuse through prevention, education, stronger reporting systems and meaningful support for survivors.

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.

Taylor: For.

Young: 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.

Taylor: For.

Young: For.

What’s your favorite book and why?

Taylor: The Book of Mormon and the Bible. History is a great teacher and the struggles of ancient civilizations give a fantastic compass as to the direction our country is headed in. We can see our civilization’s cycle and what follows next in ancient texts.

Young: I love “The Great Gatsby” because it explores the American Dream, ambition, inequality and the tension between who we are and who we hope to become. It’s ultimately about believing in a better future.