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.

The race for Utah’s House District 3 has two familiar faces: incumbent Republican Jason E. Thompson and unaffiliated candidate Patrick Belmont.

The pair went against each other in the 2024 general election. Thompson garnered just over 54% of the vote while Belmont got just under 46%.

Ahead of the Nov. 3 general election, the two candidates discussed their takes on water, corruption and other issues.

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.

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.

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?

Belmont: Utahns aren’t imagining the problem. Too much power is concentrated among too few people, while money, insider access and closed-door decisions leave many voices out. That corrodes trust, even when it isn’t illegal. I’m an independent because I want to change that culture. I’ve knocked on more than 14,000 doors and talked with people throughout our community. I’ve built my career around evidence, hard questions and honest dialogue. I’ll expose corruption and remain answerable to constituents — not a party.

Thompson: During my time serving in the Utah House, accountability and transparency in government have been among the top concerns I’ve heard from constituents. No matter the issue before us, Utahns deserve a government that is open, accountable and committed to following the processes that protect the public’s voice. Transparency isn’t a slogan, but a responsibility. That means openness at every level of government, a fair and faithful process, and respect for the rule of law.

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?

Belmont: Affordability means ensuring basic needs — housing, food, healthcare and transportation — are reliably within reach. Utah now has one of America’s least affordable housing markets. The same leadership that led us here isn’t going to solve it. I’ll push for more entry-level housing local zoning. Affordability also means fair wages. My opponent supported HB267, stripping public employees of the ability to negotiate pay and working conditions. Working Utahns deserve economic security and a real voice.

Thompson: Utah has been ranked as the best place in the country to build a life, and our growth is proof. But that growth has made homeownership out of reach for too many Utahns. Housing costs are shaped by availability, construction costs and the broader economy. The most effective way to address our housing shortage is to increase the supply of homes, helping more Utah families achieve the dream of homeownership.

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?

Belmont: We need honest conversations about water, not more wishful thinking. Water underpins our health, economy and quality of life — not just our environment. Utah has too often pursued enormously expensive infrastructure rather than conservation. I’ll push to measure actual consumption, build honest basin water budgets, reward verified conservation and ensure saved water reaches Great Salt Lake. Growth must fit within reliable water supplies, while protecting farms and communities.

Thompson: Water is an “Us” issue, not a partisan one. Drought, growth, aging infrastructure and the declining Great Salt Lake demand practical action. I support investing in conservation, modernizing water infrastructure, improving agricultural efficiency and protecting the lake. We can protect Utah’s water supply while respecting water rights, private property and local control. Working together, we can preserve this vital resource for generations to come.

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

Belmont: Utah’s data-center rush reveals a bigger problem. Projects with enormous long-term consequences are advancing through fragmented decisions, closed-door negotiations and inadequate community involvement. I’ll push for transparency, independent analysis and meaningful public involvement before commitments are made. We need to examine cumulative impacts, ask who benefits and who bears the risks and decide together where we want to go. I’ll ask the hard questions before decisions are made.

Thompson: Education is one of my top priorities, and I am honored to serve on the Utah House Public Education Committee and Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee. As the parent of six children in Utah’s public schools, I know firsthand how important great teachers and strong schools are. I’ll continue working to support teachers, empower parents, responsibly invest taxpayer dollars and ensure every Utah student has the opportunity to succeed.

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.

Belmont: Against.

Thompson: 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.

Belmont: Against.

Thompson: Decline to answer.

What’s your favorite book and why?

Belmont: “The Infinite Game,” by Simon Sinek. It helped crystallize something I believe deeply: leadership isn’t about winning the next contest. It’s about caring for communities, relationships and institutions, so they remain healthy long after we’re gone.

Thompson: “5 Levels of Leadership” — this book changes the way you lead, relationships and how you interact with everyone at a different level.