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.

Utah’s only Forward Party lawmaker pledged to maintain her independence and keep voting based on the community’s needs.

Emily Buss, who represents all of Tooele County and parts of Salt Lake and Utah counties in State Senate District 11, faces a challenge in Republican Brooks Benson.

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.

Benson 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?

Brooks Benson: Did not respond.

Emily Buss: I’m the only legislator who is not a Democrat and not a Republican. Politicians make promises, then party bosses tell them how to vote. That’s not representation. That’s obedience. I don’t answer to party bosses or political insiders; I answer to the voters!

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?

Benson: Did not respond.

Buss: End sales tax on food. Stop selling single-family homes to corporations. Phase out subsidies for tax-exempt water users. Allow first-time homebuyer programs to apply to older homes, not just new builds. (I sponsored HB541, First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program.) (Note: The bill would have added existing homes, not just new construction, to the state program. It did not pass.) Stop pushing costs from the state onto local taxpayers.

When the Legislature cuts income taxes but shifts the cost of roads, schools and other essential services to cities and counties, our families end up paying more in property taxes.

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?

Benson: Did not respond.

Buss: Incentivize farmers to use less water. Consider water availability when planning growth. Require water-intensive industries, like data centers, to disclose projected water consumption. Stop allowing HOAs to fine homeowners for using alternative, low-water grasses and ground cover.

I was one of a few senators who voted “no” on HB 60, which made it easier to divert water from the Great Salt Lake and prevents the state engineer from considering things like public welfare when approving water rights.

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

Benson: Did not respond.

Buss: Last December, our community sent me to the Capitol to fix the gridlock caused by political insiders. Since then, I have gained the trust of voters by helping lead the efforts against massive property tax hikes in Eagle Mountain, working to protect essential services in Salt Lake County, and standing up to unchecked data center development in Tooele.

My voting record reflects my independence: I don’t vote with Democrats or Republicans. I vote based on what is best for our community.

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.

Benson: Did not respond.

Buss: Against.

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.

Benson: Did not respond.

Buss: Against.

What’s your favorite book and why?

Benson: Did not respond.

Buss: It’s a tie between “Dare to Lead” by Brené Brown and “Man’s Search for Meaning” by Viktor Frankl. They remind me that leadership requires courage, resilience, treating others with dignity, and taking responsibility for how we respond to challenges.