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.

A western Salt Lake County seat in Utah’s House of Representatives is open after long-serving Rep. Cheryl Acton, R-West Jordan, stepped down.

Republican Chris McConnehey and Sergio Sotelo, who isn’t affiliated with any political party, are vying to represent the district. McConnehey served 12 years on the West Jordan City Council; Sotelo is the treasurer for the local chapter of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.

They’re running in House District 38, which includes much of West Jordan’s western half and a small section of Taylorsville. Voters will send one of them to the Capitol on Election Day, 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.

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.

McConnehey did not respond to multiple requests to fill out 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?

Chris McConnehey: Did not answer.

Sergio Sotelo: The Box Elder County data center’s fast-tracking by an unelected board is the insider dealing that’s become common in Utah. It’s a top concern because Utahns now realize they have power to stop it. I ran [unaffiliated] because elected officials should answer to constituents, not party insiders and donors. As elected treasurer of IBEW Local 354, I’ve been trusted by hardworking members to safeguard their dues. I know what it means to steward Utahns’ money, and I say no to insider handouts.

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?

McConnehey: Did not answer.

Sotelo: At 14, I got my first job at $5.50 per hour to help my family. Since then I’ve worked as a warehouse driver, construction worker and, for 15 years, as a journeyman electrician. In 2016, we had to leave West Jordan because we couldn’t afford it anymore, despite doing everything right. That’s too common in Utah. As a union electrician, I’ve seen how fair wages change lives. In 2025, I worked to pass a prevailing wage transparency bill. It didn’t pass, but as a state representative it’ll be a core priority in 2027.

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?

McConnehey: Did not answer.

Sotelo: As a father of a son and daughter in Utah, I’ll fight for clean air and water, starting with the Great Salt Lake — which is why I’m honored to be endorsed by Stewardship Utah. As a journeyman electrician, I know good jobs and conservation aren’t at odds. We can manage growth by coordinating watershed runoff, codifying air and water standards, mandating transparency and letting experts, not politics or profit, control water approvals. No one should skirt safeguards at future generations’ expense.

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

McConnehey: Did not answer.

Sotelo: I’m running because politics has become more about scoring points than solving problems. After knocking doors across House District 38, I’ve learned my Republican and Democratic neighbors aren’t that different. They care about affordability, protecting our air and water, and holding elected officials accountable. Politicians exploit our divisions, but there’s more that unites us than divides us. That’s why I’m running [unaffiliated]: to authentically represent and unite this community.

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.

McConnehey: Did not answer.

Sotelo: 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.

McConnehey: Did not answer.

Sotelo: Against.

What’s your favorite book and why?

McConnehey: Did not answer.

Sotelo: “The Outsiders” is my favorite book by S.E. Hinton. Growing up working class, I related to Ponyboy. His empathy inspires how I want to lead: put yourself in others’ shoes to advocate for those who need it most.