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Tiara Auxier is running for what would be her first full term representing Utah House District 4, which runs through parts of Rich, Morgan and Summit counties.

Though she’s had the job since January 2025, she was appointed to the position after Kera Birkeland — who was voted in November 2024 — bowed out just a few months after she won the race.

Challenging her — and boasting years of school administration and city government experience — is Zane Woolstenhulme, a Democrat.

Ahead of the Nov. 3 general election, the candidates responded to The Salt Lake Tribune’s survey, with questions suggested by readers. In the questionnaire, they discussed their reasons for running, and where their priorities will lie if they are elected.

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?

Auxier: I ran for office because I felt there needed to be more transparency with decisions being made at the state level. I am a tax accountant — my first year in office I found an automatic property tax increase that was not going through Truth-in-Taxation [processes] like all of our other property taxes are supposed to. So I ran a bill to stop it. If elected officials are going to take more of your money, they should have to justify why they need it and not just get an automatic increase every year.

Woolstenhulme: Voters are tired of backroom deals and special-interest influence overruling public interest. Restoring trust requires absolute transparency and accountability. In over 38 years as a school administrator and as mayor of Oakley, I’ve managed public funds with integrity, answered for every dollar and prioritized open communication. As your House District 4 representative, I’ll bring that same fiscal responsibility and dedication to public service, ensuring government serves you, not special interests.

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?

Auxier: My biggest focus is reducing taxes so that taxpayers have more of their own money in their pockets. I believe they know how to spend it better than government does. I have run property tax reduction bills every session. In the Legislature, we have reduced the income tax by 11%, expanded the Child Tax Credit from 12 months to 5 years to help our young families and also raised the income level before Social Security becomes taxable and also voted to keep the Circuit Breaker program for seniors.

Woolstenhulme: For over 38 years as a school business administrator, I have answered for every public dollar. Families are getting priced out of the towns they grew up in. On the Mountainlands Community Housing Trust and Oakley planning commission, I worked on real housing solutions. At the Capitol, I’ll bring financial accountability, fight for housing working people can afford, and support a tax load that doesn’t land hardest on local families. Affordability is a math problem, not a partisan one.

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?

Auxier: As a tax accountant, I look at the numbers and see what the data is saying. We have implemented a lot over the last two years and now need to see what the data says. I support the change from the “use it or lose it” system to where if a producer is not going to use their water, they can divert it to the Great Salt Lake without losing it for the next year. I supported the bill to have data centers report how much water they are using.

Woolstenhulme: The Weber River starts near my front door, and water doesn’t refill itself. As mayor of Oakley, I led efforts to secure necessary water resources through smart planning and honest budgeting. In the House, I’ll support policies that safeguard clean water, protect our watersheds, and restore the Great Salt Lake while balancing growth with open space preservation. I believe the voices of ranchers and conservationists can be one in ensuring our water future.

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

Auxier: Reducing the tax burden is my biggest priority and one I work on every session. Also, preserving local control from state overreach, especially when it comes to 2024’s SB258 preliminary municipality law. I do not think it is good policy to give developers the ability to create their own city outside of the normal zoning and planning process at the county level. Local communities should be able to choose how they want to grow and what their community needs.

Woolstenhulme: Public education investment and government accountability. These go hand in hand since the Legislature is responsible for funding public education. Having managed school district budgets for decades, I have watched legislative effort measured by total education funding per $1,000 of statewide personal income drop from being one of the highest in the country to one of the lowest in the country. As Utah has gotten more wealthy, leaders are putting less effort toward funding public education.

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.

Auxier: Decline to answer.

Woolstenhulme: For.

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.

Auxier: For.

Woolstenhulme: Against.

What’s your favorite book and why?

Auxier: I have so many. I love to read so I don’t think I can choose one. I love history, so most of what I read is either classical literature, nonfiction, or historical fiction. I’m reading “Le Morte d’Arthur” (Arthurian Legends) and “Beowulf” right now.

Woolstenhulme: Colin Woodard’s “American Nations” is my current favorite. It argues America is divided into 11 nations, established by original settlers. These enduring cultures transcend borders, shape local values, and clash to drive modern political polarization.