Many people have asked me, “Why do you want to run for U.S. Senate?” The answer is as complex as the many problems our nation faces today. First, and foremost, I believe that a Democrat can represent the people of Utah in the U.S. Senate. Many Democrats within Utah feel that the state isn’t willing to accept Democrats in the state’s highest offices. I disagree. We need more Democrats to step up and prove that we have the ability to identify issues and work towards resolutions that benefit the people of Utah. We have viable solutions to issues, we share common values with our Republican friends, and we can make a difference.

Second, the nation was founded on compromise, maintained by compromise, and successful because of compromise. In the Senate today, I see very little compromise. I see a Senate that is playing politics and pampers the special interests rather than meeting the needs of the People. The health care debate over the past year provided an insight to me, that many politicians and special interests groups aren’t really trying to help bring solutions to our issues. We must determine problems, offer solutions, reach compromises, and then revisit the issue again next year to see how well our compromises worked and reach more compromises until we have the best possible government that we can have. I believe that this effort is missing from our Senate representation. It is missing because we keep electing career politicians, and not representatives of the people. We must approach our solutions that are in the best interests of the people, not special interests, and not politicians.

While I have been a long-time democrat, I feel government, and my service within that government, must meet the needs of its people, no matter their political affiliation. Effective leadership must be fair, responsible, and must be proactive and thoughtful leadership, to its own and throughout the world. Opportunity has been the brand of this great country, and I plan to make it available, fair, and balanced to all our citizens. It is this that builds the path to our continued success as a people, and as an economic and political power in the world. I believe that healthy, respectful debate and compromise is the cornerstone of our grand Republic and we must strive to do all we can to bring resolution to our problems. And I believe this process is open to all people and would encourage even those disenfranchised with the process to get involved and get engaged with their community. People can make a difference by getting involved with issues and candidates, and I plan on instigating that involvement.

Throughout my professional career, I have determined problems, offered solutions, and reached compromises on solutions and then monitored those solutions to reach the best possible outcome for everyone involved. It is this experience and dedication that makes me who I am. I am not politician, but a citizen who cares about his state and his country. I am not a cynic. I believe our best days are ahead of us and that we are all partners in our future.

Many of the candidates in this race are taking positions that preclude compromise and therefore preclude the state and the nation from bringing resolutions to our problems. I am the candidate that will listen, formulate solutions, and act in the best interest of all the people of Utah. The best candidate for this job must listen to the people and work towards resolution, which results in a better, stronger and more efficient government. I am that candidate.