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Utah House District 75: Walt Brooks faces off against Rebecca Winsor

The Tribune asked candidates running for HD75 how they would address affordability, water scarcity and other issues important to Utah voters.

(Utah House of Representatives; Campaign photo) Walt Brooks, left, and Rebecca Winsor, candidates for the 2026 House District 75 election.

(Utah House of Representatives; Campaign photo) Walt Brooks, left, and Rebecca Winsor, candidates for the 2026 House District 75 election.

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.

Longtime state Rep. Walt Brooks, R-St. George, is running for his sixth term representing Utah House District 75, facing off against Democrat Rebecca Winsor.

The district covers much of St. George as well as parts of northern Washington County. Brooks was first elected to the seat in 2016. Winsor previously ran for the Washington County Commission.

The Tribune asked the candidates a series of questions based on a reader survey about the issues Utahns felt were most important this election season. Candidates submitted photos and answers through a questionnaire. Their answers may have been edited slightly for length and clarity. Candidate responses are listed in alphabetical order by last name.

Brooks did not respond to requests to fill out the questionnaire.

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?

Brooks: Did not respond.

Winsor: Because the state government is corrupt. Prop 4, MIDA, Bears Ears, school vouchers, the creation of their own court to hear cases involving them and harassing a state Supreme Court justice out of office. The list feels endless. Utahns should trust me to represent them, because every time I will choose people, kids really, over profit. We have a government to serve and support the people. Any other lens is a corruption of government.

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?

Brooks: Did not respond.

Winsor: I wouldn’t pass another tax cut that nets Utahns an average of $32. I would focus on ways the state can support affordable housing programs, I would continue the work on limiting the scope of HOAs. I would see how the state could expand public health offerings to more Utahns. I would put my full support behind expanding the free school lunch program. And I would develop a social media/public outreach campaign to inform Utahns of the resources the state does offer.

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?

Brooks: Did not respond.

Winsor: Protecting our agricultural water rights and usage. Continuing to require water-wise appliances in new builds. Encourage residents to invest in landscaping using native plants. Plant more trees. Develop closer to existing infrastructure to reduce distance and loss. Find grant money to repair and update old water systems in cities and towns around the state. Utah has always had water challenges and we have always risen to those challenges through honoring the environment and innovation.

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

Brooks: Did not respond.

Winsor: Public education is the thing I care about most. Public schools support and build community. When we take public money out of public schools, we weaken the bonds that hold our communities together. Public money belongs to the public, not individual students. My experience tells me that when our public money left public schools for charter schools, homeschooling and private schools, our state became more divided. Public schools give a common experience.

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.

Brooks: Did not respond.

Winsor: 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.

Brooks: Did not respond.

Winsor: Against.

What’s your favorite book and why?

Brooks: Did not respond.

Winsor: That is the worst question to ask a reader. I love “Women Who Run With The Wolves, Myths and Stories of the Wild Women Archetype” by Clarissa Pinkola Estes. Estes a student of Carl Jung, uses fairy tales and myths to explore a woman’s psyche.

Help keep Utahns informed.

It’s not easy to cut through all the noise of an election cycle.

Tribune journalists have you covered. We’ve spent hundreds of hours reaching out to candidates in more than 80 races. We’ve broken down ballot initiatives. We asked the questions you wanted candidates to answer, ensuring you know where they stand on affordability and water issues, among others.

All so you, and your neighbors, can make choices with confidence.

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