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If elected, Alan Wessman would work to eliminate the sales tax on groceries and would oppose cuts to social safety net programs.

Wessman is an unaffiliated candidate who works as a software engineer. He’s challenging Republican incumbent Jackie Larson for the House District 64 seat that represents parts of Utah County, including Spanish Fork, Salem, Woodland Hills, Leland, Lake Shore, Palmyra and Benjamin.

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.

Larson, who works in healthcare revenue cycle management and owns a business with her husband, 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?

Jackie Larson: Did not respond.

Alan Wessman: Corruption is poison to a democratic republic. Voters hate the injustice that comes with it, where money buys influence and public resources get diverted into private pockets. It’s outrageous, and yet we convince ourselves that it’s just how politics is. I don’t believe it, and I’m out to prove it can be different.

Expect me to bring ethical, honest, sincere public service, with a strong reform agenda to disinfect our systems from corruption and self-dealing.

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?

Larson: Did not respond.

Wessman: Many of our problems with high costs are due to foolish tariffs and a reckless war, which can’t be solved directly at the state level. But electing independent candidates like me will erode support for the foolishness that is costing us so much.

Besides that, I would eliminate sales taxes on groceries, address housing supply constraints, encourage low-cost transit, and oppose cuts to social safety net programs that help people survive tough times.

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?

Larson: Did not respond.

Wessman: Growth must be tied to water and infrastructure availability so that we don’t outgrow our resources and end up in a pinch. We need a legal minimum healthy elevation for the Great Salt Lake with automatic water restrictions when the level goes below it, so we can keep it from drying up and choking us with toxic dust.

We should require water-wise landscaping, prohibit new installation of nonfunctional turf, eliminate flood irrigation on most farmlands, and penalize water wasters.

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

Larson: Did not respond.

Wessman: Our election and voting systems need to be fair, well-run and accessible to all voters. They should be representative of the people and not contorted to give a party or faction a disproportionate voice. I will fight gerrymandering efforts, advocate for STAR or Approval voting methods, and push to restore vote-by-mail as the default way to receive and cast a ballot. I’ll protect the people’s ballot initiative power and seek a constitutional amendment to let voters recall unfit elected officials.

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.

Larson: Did not respond.

Wessman: 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.

Larson: Did not respond.

Wessman: Against.

What’s your favorite book and why?

Larson: Did not respond.

Wessman: I have many favorites, but if I had to choose one, it would be “Lord of the Rings” for its themes of perseverance and loyalty. It has been a favorite since I read it in my early teens, and I’ve read it aloud to each of my daughters when they were old enough.