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Utah House District 70 race: Carl Albrecht faces off with Stacey Pendergraft and Zeno Parry

As data centers, affordability and drought affect the district, fresh faces are challenging the incumbent.

(Bethany Baker  |  The Salt Lake Tribune) The Utah Capitol in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026.

(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) The Utah Capitol in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2026.

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.

Republican Rep. Carl Albrecht has been representing Utah House District 70 since 2017, and he’s running to serve another term in the Legislature.

Two other candidates are vying for his position, though: Democrat Stacey Pendergraft and Forward Party member Zeno Parry.

House District 70 spans Sevier, Piute, Beaver and Iron counties in southwestern Utah.

Pendergraft is a caregiver for people with disabilities in Sevier County, according to her website. Parry identifies himself on his website as a veteran, blue-collar worker and life-long Iron County resident.

Voters will go to the polls Nov. 3 — or vote via other means before that — to decide who will represent them in the Utah Legislature for the next two years. Voters must drop mail ballots in a drop box by 8 p.m. on Election Day or return ballots by mail in time to reach the clerk by 8 p.m. on Election Day.

The Salt Lake Tribune posed the following questions to each of the candidates. 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.

Albrecht and Parry did not respond to requests to fill out the questionnaire.

(Campaign photo) Stacey Pendergraft, candidate for the 2026 Utah House District 70 election

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?

Albrecht: Did not answer.

Parry: Did not answer.

Pendergraft: Government corruption is rampant; in many states we see our Legislature doing what they want to do, rather than what the people have voted for, and putting corporations ahead of everyday citizens. I am just as affected by our Legislature’s everyday decisions as any other Utahan. I have no desire to get wealthy or become a career politician. I just want to help get normal, everyday people into office so that we are represented fairly.

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?

Albrecht: Did not answer.

Parry: Did not answer.

Pendergraft: Housing is not a one-solution problem; there are many things that we could do to improve the affordability in Utah. Building tiny homes on existing lots is a possibility. We need to look at already existing homes sitting on the market for too long and start a penalty for banks and corporations holding on to empty homes that could be sold. I also would like to see more housing utilized above downtown areas; a lot of times this space already exists but it’s not being utilized.

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?

Albrecht: Did not answer.

Parry: Did not answer.

Pendergraft: This is another multi-solution problem. I support any efforts put forth by the scientific community that would help solve the water problems in Utah. I think that number one, we need to reject data centers of any kind using our water.

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

Albrecht: Did not answer.

Parry: Did not answer.

Pendergraft: I want Utah to be the first state that guarantees housing to veterans. I would like to work with our congressman on a bill that funds veterans housing regardless of time served or disability status.

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.

Albrecht: Did not answer.

Parry: Did not answer.

Pendergraft: Declined to answer.

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.

Albrecht: Did not answer.

Parry: Did not answer.

Pendergraft: Against.

What’s your favorite book and why?

Albrecht: Did not answer.

Parry: Did not answer.

Pendergraft: I think what I am experiencing in my life at the time really affects what books touch me and matter most. Some past favorites have been “The Catcher in the Rye,” “Wizard’s First Rule” and “Jane Eyre.”

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