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Democrat Phil Graves is once again vying to unseat Repbulican incumbent Melissa Ballard and represent Utah House District 20.

Ballard has held that office since 2019. She is a pianist and founding chair of the University of Utah School of Music Advisory Board, according to her candidate website. She did not respond to questions for this voter guide.

Graves unsuccessfully ran against Ballard in 2022 and is now taking a second swing. He works in financial services according to his campaign website.

District 20 includes a portion of Davis County, including North Salt Lake and Woods Cross. It also 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?

Ballard: Did not answer.

Graves: For far too long, the Republican party has dominated Utah’s politics, for various reasons, to the point that in many cases the general election is just a formality. This lack of accountability to voters has created an environment up on the Hill that is perfect for breeding legal, state-sanctioned corruption and self-dealing. I believe Utahns can trust me because I am of the working class, and I will put their needs above all else!

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?

Ballard: Did not answer.

Graves: The majority of issues within the affordability crisis are caused by actions outside of Utah, at the federal level, or even on a global level. That being said, the Legislature could help working-class families by removing the tax on food, moving to a more progressive income tax structure, and helping subsidize childcare and higher education.

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?

Ballard: Did not answer.

Graves: Utah needs to help residents transition away from grass lawns on a much bigger scale than is currently being done. In addition, all further projects that would divert water from the tributaries of either the Great Salt Lake or Colorado River need to be terminated. Utah must buy back water rights from non-food producing agriculture to return that water to the lake or river system. Saving the Great Salt Lake must be of the highest priority. Inaction will be far more devastating in the long term.

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

Ballard: Did not answer.

Graves: I will work to fully implement Prop. 4 and end political gerrymandering in Utah. Voters should decide who their politicians are and not the other way around! For the long-term success of our democracy, all segments of society deserve proportional representation in the Legislature. The Republican supermajority up on the Hill have weaponized political gerrymandering to such a degree that the people of Utah are not being represented properly.

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.

Ballard: Did not answer.

Graves: 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.

Ballard: Did not answer.

Graves: Against.

What’s your favorite book and why?

Ballard: Did not answer.

Graves: My favorite book is “Ishmael” by Daniel Quinn. This book had a profound impact on me as a teenager to question the status quo, and gave me a new lens from which to examine modern society.