Salt Lake Chamber to Host Candidate Forums

Salt Lake Chamber to Host Candidate Forums
Businesses to query candidates on issues important to the Utah economy

The Salt Lake Chamber will host over a dozen candidate forums this summer to provide its members first-hand exposure to candidates in key legislative, congressional, county and statewide races in this general election year. The forums will have a decidedly business focus and will be open to the media.

“As Utah’s business leader we recognize the importance of public policy to the overall quality of the business climate in our state,” said Chamber President and CEO Lane Beattie. “These forums will provide our members with an opportunity to assess the business stance of key candidates as we enter a very critical election season.”

While the Chamber does not officially endorse any candidates, it does promote an active dialogue about business issues and takes positions on public policy issues important to the business community. Recent examples include the Chamber’s support for sensible immigration reform, increased road and transit spending, health system reform, and increased funding for science, research and technology at Utah’s institutions of higher learning.

The targeted races and invited candidates were selected by the Chamber executive team based on the business issues involved, the competitive nature of the race, and the interests expressed by Chamber members. The races include a mix of legislative, congressional, county, and statewide races, including the final candidates for governor and president of the United States.

In hosting these forums, the Chamber has partnered with the Utah Priorities Project, an election-year project sponsored by Utah Foundation. The Utah Priorities Project works to engage the public and political candidates in serious discussion on the most important issues facing Utah. The project includes a statewide survey of voters to determine the top issues and a series of research reports, forums, and online discussion on the issues that matter most for Utahns this year. A representative of Utah Foundation will be at each of the forums to ask key questions. 

The preliminary dates and invited candidates include the following:

Monday, May 19 – House District 24
Rebecca Chavez-Houck vs. Joe Jarvis 

Friday, June 13 – County Council 4
Mark Crockett vs. Jani Iwamoto 

Wednesday, June 25 – House District 49
Greg Curtis vs. Jay Seegmiller

Monday, July 7 – House District 28
Brian King vs. Jeff Morrow

Monday, July 21 – House District 45
Brian Monsen vs. Laura Black 

Monday, August 4 – House District 20
Paul Neuenschwander or Becky Edwards vs. Kyle Roberts

Monday, August 18 – Senate District 23
Richard Watson vs. Dan Liljenquist or Ron Mortensen

Monday, September 15 – County Council 6
Max Burdick vs. Roger Harding

Monday, September 29 – County Council 2
Michael Jensen vs. Paul Pugmire

Monday, October 6 – Senate District 1
Carlton Christensen vs. Luz Robles 

Monday, October 20 – Salt Lake County Mayor
Peter Corroon vs. Michael Renckert

Monday, October 27 – Governor
Jon Huntsman, Jr. vs. Bob Springmeyer

Thursday, October 30 – President (State Campaign Directors)
John McCain vs. Barrack Obama or Hillary Clinton

Please note that all dates are preliminary and more races/candidates may be added. All candidates have been invited, but many have not been confirmed. To see a current list of the Salt Lake Chamber Candidate Forum schedule throughout the summer and fall visit www.saltlakechamber.org/calendar/ or call the Chamber at (801) 364-3631.


ABOUT THE SALT LAKE CHAMBER 
The Salt Lake Chamber is Utah’s largest business association and Utah’s Business Leader. With roots that go back to 1887, the Chamber has been standing as the voice of business, supporting its members’ success and championing community prosperity for over 100 years. The Chamber represents over 4200 businesses statewide and one in every three jobs in the Utah economy. Chamber affiliate organizations include the Downtown Alliance, Women Business Center and World Trade Center Utah.