Utah State Senate District 14 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Utah, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Utah State Senate District 14 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

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• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Utah State Senate District 14

Stephanie Pitcher defeated Dan Sorensen and Dennis Roach in the general election for Utah State Senate District 14 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Stephanie Pitcher (D)	62.2	32,369
		Dan Sorensen (R)	36.0	18,737
		Dennis Roach (United Utah Party)	1.8	929

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 52,035
= 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

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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?

Dennis Roach (United Utah)

Working Together - When leaders come together and set aside partisan agendas important things can get done

Environmental Stewardship - This is a Great State and we need to help preserve it for future generations

Education - The Children are our future and deserve our investment

Dan Sorensen (R)

I believe deeply that government’s first priority is to protect and defend the individual sovereignty of each and every one of its citizens. I am committed to respecting each and every person’s right to live, speak and act according to their desires and judgment insofar as they do not directly impede or undermine the rights of others to do the same.

I believe had the founders foreseen how medicine would become so industrialized - how influential its enormous profits would play in our politics - they would have written into the Constitution a prohibition of state-sponsored medicine, similar to the 1st Amendment’s establishment clause prohibiting state-sponsored religion. If the state has a positive role to play in promoting the good health of its citizens I don’t think it’s what we experienced in its approach to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Protecting freedom in the marketplace is perhaps the most significant way a legislator can enhance the human condition. Government regulation of business may sometimes be a necessary evil but more often it is an unnecessary one - a nefarious tool to protect the politically well-connected from having to innovate and compete to meet market demands.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Dennis Roach (United Utah)

Each new piece of legislation needs the basic questions asked:

Who does it help? Who could it hurt? Why do we need it? What will it cost?

Will constituents support it?

Dan Sorensen (R)

Reducing the state’s footprint in the community. Restraining government actors’ ambitions. reinvesting in the concept of freedom and self governance.

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

Dan Sorensen (R)

Jesus of Nazareth. For his wisdom, temperament, courage and charity.

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

Dan Sorensen (R)

‘The Law’ by Frederik Bastiat

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Dan Sorensen (R)

I believe deeply that government’s first priority is to protect and defend the individual sovereignty of each and every one of its citizens. I am committed to respecting each and every person’s right to live, speak and act according to their desires and judgment insofar as they do not directly impede or undermine the rights of others to do the same. We utilize government to build and maintain infrastructure, sanitation, emergency services, administer criminal and civil justice, and manage public lands, but beyond these basic services the responsibilities of government become more debatable. In such debates, we should determine how proposed or existing law impacts the sovereignty of each individual, prioritizing their unalienable rights to live, speak, and act according to their own desire and judgment.

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

Dan Sorensen (R)

Temperament, understanding of the relationship between freedom and prosperity

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Dan Sorensen (R)

Protecting freedom in the marketplace is perhaps the most significant way a legislator can enhance the human condition. Government regulation of business may sometimes be a necessary evil but more often it is an unnecessary one - a nefarious tool to protect the politically well-connected from having to innovate and compete to meet market demands. We’ve never achieved a truly free market, its more of an aspiration. In the meantime it takes constant vigilance to guard against legislative, and bureaucratic encroachment due to the pressures of crony-capitalism. The more freedom we allow in the marketplace, the better the market will create opportunity and prosperity for all of us.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Dan Sorensen (R)

Less intrusive government. Increased freedom for my fellow citizens

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

Dan Sorensen (R)

The lunar landing in 1969 when I was four and a year later Apollo 11 landed on the moon when I was five.

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

Dan Sorensen (R)

Lawn mower assembly and eventual warehouse manager at Southeast Furniture in Sugarhouse for six years during Jr. High and High School

What is your favorite book? Why?

Dan Sorensen (R)

Besides the Bible & Book of Mormon? Les Miserables by Victor Hugo. It captures so much of the human experience - emotionally, politically, romantically, psychologically and religiously.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Dan Sorensen (R)

Indiana Jones

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

Dan Sorensen (R)

‘Sunshine on my Shoulders’ by John Denver

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

Dan Sorensen (R)

Attention deficit, especially in classroom settings

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

Dan Sorensen (R)

Separate but equal

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

Dan Sorensen (R)

Rapid growth that will challenge our freedom, environmental quality, our natural resources and the tranquility of our wild country which is our greatest shared asset.

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

Dan Sorensen (R)

It may be a bit more efficient but not worth what you’d lose in the check and balance of a bicameral legislature.

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

Dan Sorensen (R)

It can be, but more often it’s too much time in government that corrupts good representation in the legislature.

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

Dan Sorensen (R)

Yes, it’s always best to work together in good faith. That happens best when people know and respect eachother.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Dan Sorensen (R)

It’s tricky but the people’s elected representatives are probably best suited to do it.

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

Dan Sorensen (R)

Natural resources, public lands, education, transportation, occupational licensure review

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

Dan Sorensen (R)

N/A

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Dan Sorensen (R)

No, not exactly.

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

Dan Sorensen (R)

No

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Dan Sorensen (R)

One resident has faced inordinate harassment from county regulatory officials regarding improvements to his investment properties. Another was forced to close his restaurant for Covid, offered public funding to get through the forced closure, then finally back up and running, was told the legislature voted to tax the funding he had received. These stories remind me again that government will become a nuisance and an economy killer without constant vigilance by the people’s representatives in the legislature.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Dan Sorensen (R)

I’m with the government, and I’m here to help!

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

Dan Sorensen (R)

Yes, its far too tempting for executives to abuse them.

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

Dan Sorensen (R)

Sometimes. Other times it may be better to hold the line if proposed legislation compromises our fellow citizens’ rights and freedoms.

See also

More about these elections:

• Utah State Senate elections, 2022

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