Election 2014 candidates from the 2nd District — Rep. Stewart and Sen. Robles

Election 2014 candidates from the 2nd District — Rep. Stewart and Sen. Robles

(Trent Nelson)


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SALT LAKE CITY — From the beginning both 2nd District candidates, Rep. Chris Stewart and Sen. Luz Robles, came into the 2014 election with significant legislative experience. While each one came to politics by different paths, over the past couple of years both represented Utah in different capacities — one at a state level and one on a federal.

U.S. House Representative Chris Stewart, R-Utah

Rep. Chris Stewart was a lot of different things before becoming a congressman for the 2nd District in 2012. From world-record-setting Air Force pilot to best-selling author to businessman.

Stewart attracted national attention after his book "The Miracle of Freedom: Seven Tipping Points That Saved the World" became a New York Times best-seller after just two weeks of publication. Stewart has also written 17 other books, many of which became best-sellers themselves.

Stewart’s past voting record and stance on previous issues gives voters insight into how the representative will govern if elected in November.

Stewart is an ardent advocate of limited government. Legislation he has sponsored and cosponsored supports this ideal.

During his first term in the House of Representatives, Stewart was known for striving to prevent Utah land and resources from becoming federalized. For example, in the Utah Land Sovereignty Act of 2013, he proposed a bill that would prohibit any extension or establishment of national parks and monuments in Utah without congressional approval first.

Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, and state Sen. Luz Robles, D-Salt Lake City, meet for a debate at Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. The two are contending for Utah's 2nd Congressional District seat. (Photo: Trent Nelson)
Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, and state Sen. Luz Robles, D-Salt Lake City, meet for a debate at Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. The two are contending for Utah's 2nd Congressional District seat. (Photo: Trent Nelson)

Echoing similar sentiments to his other public land bills, Stewart in 2013 sent the Wild Horse Oversight Act before Congress. The legislation directed states and American Indian tribes to assume management of wild horses and burros on federally owned land.

"States and tribes already successfully manage large quantities of wildlife within their borders," Stewart said in a statement. "If horses and burros were under that same jurisdiction, I'm confident that new ideas and opportunities would be developed to manage the herds more successfully than the federal government.”

Stewart has railed against the Obama administration for government intervention in all aspects of American life, from eating choices to instituting the Affordable Care Act.

"This is something that people react to viscerally,” Stewart said in a Politico Pro report.

During the 2nd District congressional debate on Sept. 25, his opponent, Sen. Luz Robles, said that the federal government played an important role in helping with local issues. However, Stewart remained steadfast in his position that decisions made locally should ultimately prevail over federal government mandates — whether it is in upholding the state’s ban on gay marriage or to legislation concerning Common Core.

Rehashing his position on same-sex marriage, Stewart said during the debate, “We are all children of the same God. And we should all be treated with dignity.” He added that each state should decide for itself whether gay marriage should be allowed or not.

Utah State Senator Luz Robles, D-Salt Lake

Utah State Senator Luz Robles came to the United States 18 years ago from Mexico, searching for better opportunities for herself and children. Soon afterward, Robles became a naturalized citizen.

Currently, Robles is one of the vice presidents of Zions Bank, where she helps develop small businesses, and when first elected in 2008 was one of only five Democrats in the senate.

Robles is perhaps best known for her efforts in pioneering immigration reform.

During her time in the legislature she crafted Senate Bill SB60, which proposed issuing illegal immigrants “accountability cards, “ allowing them to work without changing their legal status. However, in order to receive a card, the immigrant had to undergo a background check. The card would be solely used for work purposes and not as a form of valid identification.

While the bill did not pass, Robles made significant inroads on immigration legislation for the state.

State Sen. Luz Robles, D-Salt Lake City, debates Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, at Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. The two are contending for Utah's 2nd Congressional District seat. (Photo: Trent Nelson)
State Sen. Luz Robles, D-Salt Lake City, debates Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, at Southern Utah University in Cedar City, Thursday, Sept. 25, 2014. The two are contending for Utah's 2nd Congressional District seat. (Photo: Trent Nelson)

If elected, Robles wants to make immigration reform a top priority. She expressed frustration during the Sept. 25 debate about Congress' “lack of action” on the matter.

"It's really their incompetency, and it's sad," said Robles. "We've tried the Band-Aid solutions ...it's not working."

Ultimately, Robles believes her moderate approach makes her the more appealing candidate. She said that some voters might see Stewart as too extreme on some issues.

"I work in an environment where you have to be more in the middle than anything. I consider myself pretty moderate," Robles said.

Another contrast between the candidates is their stance on same-sex marriage and healthcare.Stewart is an adamant opponent of same-sex marriage, for both religious and state’s rights reasons.

By contrast, Robles said she is for equality in marriage and supports same-sex marriage.

In regards to healthcare, Stewart called The Affordable Health Care Act “the worst piece of legislation written in generations” and is insistent about scrapping the bill entirely. Robles said the act, while imperfect, still was “moving in the right direction. More people are covered now than we have ever seen in this nation.”

While Robles believes her ideas are not always popular with a primarily Republican-governed legislature because she is a political minority, she said she knows how to be bipartisan and get things done. This attribute, she said, makes her an excellent candidate to represent Utah in Washington, D.C, where political polarity and gridlock dominate.

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Sara Jarman

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