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.

Utah’s only openly LGBTQ lawmaker, Democrat Sahara Hayes, will have to fend off a challenger, Republican Aileen Hampton, in the November race to represent a swath of Salt Lake County residents.

House District 32 includes portions of Millcreek, Salt Lake City and South Salt Lake.

Hayes, who works as a grant writer, was elected to represent the area in 2023. Hampton is a field representative for the U.S. Census Bureau and a former secretary for a local School Community Council.

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?

Hampton: Voters are concerned: backroom deals; laws quickly passed with insufficient time, public input and expert opinion; quiet add-ons unrelated to a bill’s face value; gains from conflict of interest. We put our trust in our elected officials to conscientiously consider and publicly debate issues that will affect our lives BEFORE voting in laws. Machinations behind closed doors betray trust. I enter this race with integrity and my desire to champion transparency, one issue/one bill, and term limits.

Hayes: The past several years have been inundated with stories of political corruption; of course voters feel this way. This year, I addressed this directly by passing HB194, “Utah State Board of Education Ethics Amendments.” Prior to this bill, the State Board was the only body of elected officials that did not have external ethical oversight. HB194 created an independent body to address ethical complaints, with the goal of greater oversight and accountability for all elected officials.

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?

Hampton: Awareness of how funding decisions affect low-budget residents needs to stay in the front of lawmakers’ minds. We all must consider the needs of those among us with less. I’ve struggled making ends meet; I know many who do. I’ll study the data, not make assumptions. We need strategies to address housing trends where prices stay high on vacant new stock, while affordable units turn to high-end or short-term use. It can help to regulate rent increases and add-on fees, and to zone for small units.

Hayes: As we prepare for the 2027 General Session, affordability is the top priority for our caucus. The House Democrats are collectively running a slate of bills aimed at affordability for families, including childcare and worker’s rights. I am looking forward to enthusiastically supporting these bills and doing everything I can to back them should I be reelected.

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?

Hampton: Water is always a concern in the West! Scrutinize water sources whenever new development is planned. Continue to encourage home water conservation, but force industries and agriculture to look closely for ways to cut usage, since their burden on water reserves is far higher than residential use. Discourage high-demand crops mainly intended for export. Use creativity to investigate additional options, like moisture harvesting, control of phragmites, and monitoring toxic dust from the lake bed.

Hayes: During the most recent legislative session, I co-sponsored some of the most impactful water bills that were run, including bills on water leasing, landscaping and irrigation. This year, I’m supporting a bill that the House Democrats are running to increase transparency surrounding data center water usage. Nothing fills me with more existential dread than the state of the Great Salt Lake, and I will do everything in my power to fight for its future.

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

Hampton: Let’s all welcome and support newcomers to our communities and country! With a slowing birthrate, we need more people and new ideas to revitalize our country. For all that we enjoy, the United States must be the land of compassion. We should support those who legally come here with the dream of a new life in America, helping them integrate and contribute to our society. This especially goes for those escaping strife in other lands, and children raised here who don’t know any other life.

Hayes: I am passionate about many topics, including voter accessibility, access to mental health care, and protecting the rights of immigrants, the LGBTQ+ community and other protected classes of people. However, the policy area that touches the lives of every Utahn is public education. Having a strong public school system is necessary for our state to thrive, and I am committed to supporting our teachers and students.

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.

Hampton: For.

Hayes: 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.

Hampton: For.

Hayes: Against.

What’s your favorite book and why?

Hampton: “Pride and Prejudice.” We can’t always judge a situation by what seems most apparent. When we dig more deeply, with mind open and primed for further understanding, those we assume are in opposition to us may turn out to be allies after all.

Hayes: All-time favorite: “To Kill a Mockingbird.” My dad read this book to me when I was little, and it found a permanent place in my heart. More recent favorite: “Light From Uncommon Stars.” It’s a hard book to describe, but it is so, so beautiful.