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.

Former Congressman Rob Bishop made a Capitol comeback earlier this year when Republican delegates chose him to take former Rep. Matthew Gwynn’s place in a special election.

In November voters in House District 6, which includes portions of Box Elder and Weber counties, will decide whether Bishop keeps the post.

Bishop faces a challenge from Forward Party candidate James Rich, who leads a company that provides information technology consulting and software to businesses.

Bishop, a retired history teacher, spent nearly two decades in Congress before leaving Washington in 2021. Before that, he served in the Legislature for 16 years — from 1978 to 1994. He was House speaker for two of those years.

Election Day is Nov. 3.

If returned through the postal service, mail ballots must be sent early enough to arrive at the county clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Otherwise, they can be left at a drop box until polls close at 8 p.m.

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.

Bishop did not respond to requests to fill out a 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?

Bishop: Did not answer.

Rich: I believe Utahns are concerned about government corruption for two reasons: at the federal level we have witnessed a great deal of outright falsehoods spoken repeatedly in an effort to try to establish them as if they were true, and at the state level we have experienced elected officials ignoring and even trying to overturn the plain will of the people. I have prioritized listening to all people as a central part of my campaign. All people matter, and all are worth listening to.

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?

Bishop: Did not answer.

Rich: State government can affect day-to-day expenses in two ways: the way taxes are levied and the way economic opportunities are provided. I have spent my entire career building technology solutions to help businesses clearly understand their expenses and revenues and identify problem areas. I want to work for laws that make our tax system transparent, open and understandable. This will identify problem areas where we can reduce taxes and increase economic opportunities.

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?

Bishop: Did not answer.

Rich: There are many aspects to solving water usage problems in Utah. One important way to improve our water usage that respects our agricultural industry is to explicitly amend Utah’s strict, historic “use it or lose it” forfeiture laws. Doing so would legally protect a farmer’s underlying water rights from state seizure if they lower their consumption by upgrading irrigation tech or transitioning fields. I want to encourage lower water agriculture, not jeopardize farmers’ livelihoods.

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

Bishop: Did not answer.

Rich: Utah builds apartments. We need starter homes. Home prices jumped from $305,000 to $540,000 in six years, a 75%+ spike that left wages in the dust. A generation of Utahns who did everything right can’t buy a first home. We need to expand starter home initiatives to prioritize the homes people can actually afford, like small-lot houses, townhomes, condos, owner-occupied duplexes and existing homes (not only new construction), using tools the state already has.

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.

Bishop: Did not answer.

Rich: 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.

Bishop: Did not answer.

Rich: Against.

What’s your favorite book and why?

Bishop: Did not answer.

Rich: My favorite book is the Book of Mormon. I love reading its teachings about Jesus Christ and His wonderful love for us. I also love the clear way it teaches me about how I need to change and do better.