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Republican Rep. Val L. Peterson has served in the Utah Legislature since 2011, and this year faces political newcomer and Democratic candidate Natassja Grossman.

In his career, Peterson has been involved with the Army ROTC program and the Utah National Guard. During his legislative tenure, he has sponsored and co-sponsored legislation addressing veterans’ organizations, scholarships, military-service benefits and higher education assistance.

On her website, Grossman identifies herself as a community organizer and “LGBT mom,” and lists one of her priorities as “defending LGBTQ+ lives.” In a survey response, Grossman told The Salt Lake Tribune her priorities include improvements to financial assistance programs and transparency in medical billing.

Peterson did not respond to requests to fill out a candidate questionnaire.

Election Day is Nov. 3 and mail ballots must be dropped off at a ballot dropbox by 8 p.m. that same day or, if returned by mail, must be received by the county clerk by 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.

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?

Grossman: Utahns are frustrated when politicians appear to put special interests ahead of the people they represent. It’s something I’ve heard a few times during my canvassing. That has created a deep mistrust in government. I know I can’t simply ask people to trust me, I have to earn it. As a mother, I plan to measure my decisions by the Utah I want to leave my daughter and the next generation, not by what personally lines my pockets.

Peterson: Did not respond.

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?

Grossman: First, we need to ask those who have benefited most from Utah’s economy to contribute their fair share. Second, we need to make assistance programs more accessible. A family shouldn’t have to be in severe financial hardship before they can get help affording food, housing or other necessities. Third, we need to strengthen our workforce by raising wages and discouraging companies from paying so little that their employees must rely on public assistance to get by.

Peterson: Did not respond.

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?

Grossman: We need to stop incentivizing unnecessary water use. Utah should reform “use it or lose it” policies so farmers aren’t pressured to use water simply to retain their rights, while creating incentives to conserve or lease water to the Great Salt Lake and Colorado River. We should also encourage less water-intensive crops where practical and invest in efficient irrigation. Conservation should benefit both Utah’s agricultural economy and our long-term water supply.

Peterson: Did not respond.

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

Grossman: Medical debt is another issue I care deeply about. If we treat healthcare as a product, patients deserve stronger consumer protections. I would support greater transparency in medical billing and protections against being charged full price when medically necessary care fails to address the problem or leaves patients without an appropriate path to follow-up care. No Utahn should be financially devastated simply for seeking medical treatment.

Peterson: Did not respond.

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.

Grossman: Against.

Peterson: Did not respond.

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.

Grossman: Against.

Peterson: Did not respond.

What’s your favorite book and why?

Grossman: I unfortunately don’t have much time or energy for reading these days. Most of my free time is spent with my daughter playing games and watching movies. Of the two movies she’s let me watch recently, “Frozen 2″ is probably my favorite.

Peterson: Did not respond.