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Quick Facts
Personal Details

Education

  • BA, Political Science, University of Utah, 2007-2012

Professional Experience

  • BA, Political Science, University of Utah, 2007-2012
  • Founder/Owner, Laziz Kitchen, 2016-present
  • Founder/Owner, Laziz Foods, 2012-present
  • Case Manager, Rehab, National Seating and Mobility, 2007-2011

Political Experience

  • BA, Political Science, University of Utah, 2007-2012
  • Founder/Owner, Laziz Kitchen, 2016-present
  • Founder/Owner, Laziz Foods, 2012-present
  • Case Manager, Rehab, National Seating and Mobility, 2007-2011
  • Senator, Utah State Senate, District 2, 2019-present
  • Minority Caucus Manager, Utah State Senate, 2018-present
  • City Council Member, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015-2018
  • Candidate, Utah State Senate, District 2, 2018

Current Legislative Committees

Member, Commission for the Stewardship of Public Lands

Member, Economic Development and Workforce Services

Member, Economic Development and Workforce Services Confirmation

Member, Economic Development and Workforce Services Interim

Member, Executive Appropriations

Member, Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice

Member, Legislative Management

Member, Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment

Member, Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Confirmation

Member, Political Subdivisions Confirmation Committee

Member, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Interim

Member, Subcommittee on Executive Offices and Criminal Justice Appropriations

Religious, Civic, and other Memberships

  • BA, Political Science, University of Utah, 2007-2012
  • Founder/Owner, Laziz Kitchen, 2016-present
  • Founder/Owner, Laziz Foods, 2012-present
  • Case Manager, Rehab, National Seating and Mobility, 2007-2011
  • Senator, Utah State Senate, District 2, 2019-present
  • Minority Caucus Manager, Utah State Senate, 2018-present
  • City Council Member, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2015-2018
  • Candidate, Utah State Senate, District 2, 2018
  • Board Member, Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, 2016-present
  • Chair, Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City, 2016-2018
  • Board Member, The Leonardo, 2016-2017
Policy Positions

Utah State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Abortion & Reproductive

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-choice

2. Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
- Yes

3. Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
- No

4. Other or expanded principles
- I support a womans individual right to choose. I am 100% pro-choice.

Budget, Spending, & Tax

Budget Stabilization:

Indicate which proposals you support (if any) for balancing Utah's budget.

1. Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?
- No

2. Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees?
- No

3. Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?
- No

4. An income tax increase on any tax bracket?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- I look to progressive tax policy that allows our State to function & be fiscally secure. I am interested in outcome driven policy changes that allow us to achieve high efficiency and service delivery. I see spending as an opportunity to invest - from education & pre-k, to housing and critical infrastructure.

Campaign Finance & Government Reform

1. Do you support any limits on campaign contributions to state candidates?
- Yes

2. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- Yes

3. Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
- Yes

4. Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
- No

5. Do you support using primary conventions as the sole method of selecting political party nominees?
- No

6. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Crime & Public Safety

1. Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
- No

2. Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- Yes

3. Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
- No

4. Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Economic

1. Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

2. Do you support lowering state taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

3. Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector?
- Yes

4. Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
- Yes

5. Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
- No

6. Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of Utah?
- Yes

7. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Education

1. Do you support adopting federal education standards in Utah?
- Yes

2. Do you support state funding for charter schools?
- No

3. Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from Utah high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
- Yes

4. Do you support increasing the state gasoline tax to fund the education budget?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Environment & Energy

1. Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- Yes

2. Do you support state government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Yes

3. Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives?
- Yes

4. Do you support increasing state funding to improve air quality?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Gun

1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- Yes

2. Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
- Yes

3. Should teachers be allowed to bring guns into the classroom?
- No

4. Should a license be required for gun ownership?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Health

1. Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse?
- Yes

2. Do you support Medicaid expansion through Utah's health care programs?
- Yes

3. Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
- No

4. Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia?
- Yes

5. Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
- No

6. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Social

1. Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Utah's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

2. Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Utah's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

3. Do you support greater efforts by Utah state government in closing the pay gap between men and women?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Legislative Priorities

In the following area, please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.
- My priorities will be focused on our explosive growth. I will champion quality growth & management of resources such as water and air-shed preservation. Related to this is the great need for access to affordable housing. A second major priority will be on education. Our state has an incredibly young population (average age 29 y/o), so we need to ensure quality access to daycare & early-childhood education. My third priority is healthcare. Medicaid expansion and access to treatment for substance use disorder and mental health.

Speeches
Events

2018

Nov. 6
Election Night After Party

Tue 8:30 PM – 12:00 AM MST

Beer Bar Salt Lake City, UT