Utah House of Representatives District 9 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Utah, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Utah House of Representatives District 9 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

• Click here to see candidates and election results.
• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Utah House of Representatives District 9

Incumbent Calvin Musselman defeated Neil Hansen and Jacob Johnson in the general election for Utah House of Representatives District 9 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Calvin Musselman (R)	62.8	6,238
		Neil Hansen (D)	29.9	2,971
		Jacob Johnson (L)	7.3	723

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 9,932
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Jacob Johnson (L)

Giving parents and students more control over educational opportunities. Also providing additional employment opportunities for educators.

Ensuring that the men and women of the U.S. National Guard are not deployed unneccessarily or without a declaration of war through the U.S. Congress as set forth Article 1 Section of the U.S. Constitution.

Maintain and expand upon the U.S. Constituion's 2nd Amendment rights of every U.S. citizen, to ensure the right of self preservation.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Jacob Johnson (L)

I am passionate about education and the rights of citizens to school choice and also keeping the men and women of the National Guard out of illegal armed conflicts. Also ensuring that each American retains the right to protect themselves and their families.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Jacob Johnson (L)

Thomas Jefferson and John Locke. I look up to John Locke because he inspired me to strive for liberty at all times and I look up to Thomas Jefferson because he never stopped fighting for liberty and he never stopped learning and educating himself throughout his life.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Jacob Johnson (L)

Anatomy of the State by Murry Rothbard; On Liberty by John Stuart Mill; Common Sense by Thomas Paine; The Federalist Papers by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and Others

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Jacob Johnson (L)

Born Leader, Voracious Reader, Loyal friend/family member, honest, meticulous, driven

What legacy would you like to leave?

Jacob Johnson (L)

I would like my legacy to be that I expanded the liberties for the smallest minority, the individual

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Jacob Johnson (L)

9/11 happened and I was 9 years old

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Jacob Johnson (L)

Farmer at Black Island Farms in Syracuse, Utah. I worked there for 8 years.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Jacob Johnson (L)

Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas by Hunter S Thompson Because it questions the boundaries and possibilities of what the American dream is and is not

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Jacob Johnson (L)

Big Rock Candy Mountain from the movie O Brother Where Art Thou?

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Jacob Johnson (L)

I struggle with the fact the I am often unable to effect as much positive change in the lives of those around me as I would like

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Jacob Johnson (L)

I feel it is important that the governor and the state legislature are able to ensure that the best interests of the citizens of the state are routinely represented by those who have been elected to carry out these tasks.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Jacob Johnson (L)

I feel that our greatest challenge is sustainable use of our states limited water resources.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Jacob Johnson (L)

I feel the benefits of a unicameral state legislature would be a more streamlined legislative process and session, the drawbacks would be removing one of the checks and balances our founding fathers intentionally installed in our system of governance to prevent states from becoming too centralized.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Jacob Johnson (L)

No, I do not believe it is beneficial or necessary for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Jacob Johnson (L)

Yes, I do believe it is beneficial to build working relationships with other legislators because it can encourage a dialogue between others' differing perspectives and proposed solutions for the benefit of the constituents

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Jacob Johnson (L)

House Ethics Committee; Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Interim Committee; Native American Legislative Liaison Committee; Occupational & Professional Licensure Review Committee; Veterans & Military Affairs Commission

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Jacob Johnson (L)

Not really

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Jacob Johnson (L)

No, I do not believe the legislature should oversee or grant the use of emergency powers. I believe that would be a misuse and abuse of the duties of the position.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Jacob Johnson (L)

I believe that there are times that compromise is a desirable option, however, I do not believe that compromise is always the only option. I feel it is also necessary to not falter in the face of fierce opposition.

See also

More about these elections:

• Utah House of Representatives elections, 2022

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