The Standard-Examiner Editorial Board endorses Democratic Party nominee Scott Howell for United States Senate.
Howell, a native of Utah, will provide a new voice in our state’s national politics. The incumbent, Sen. Orrin Hatch, has served for 36 years, which is a sufficient amount of time for anyone.
The last four years have seen a U.S. Senate so divisive and full of partisan malice that too little is being accomplished. Long-term solutions on the debt, health care, education priorities and entitlements need bipartisan consensus.
Howell offers the possibility of consensus being reached. In our opinion, he’s willing to seriously work with the president next year, whether it’s President Obama or Mitt Romney.
Howell has experience working with both parties. He’s a former Democratic state legislator who was elected in Utah despite being a political minority. To us, Howell doesn’t seem like a career politician, who is too often more concerned with placating interest groups and scoring public relations points against the opposition.
Howell doesn’t want to repeal the Affordable Care Act. He wants to make it better. Whether tort reform, billing fraud or the need for better technology, Howell wants to improve health care reform. He will not toss the health care law in the trash.
On education, Howell prefers federal efforts and money being directed to local schools instead of the cumbersome, overly bureaucratic continuation of No Child Left Behind.
And on the future of Hill Air Force Base, it’s clear that despite two Republican senators and a Republican congressman in its district, Hill’s influence has waned considerably.
It seems we need an independent, conservative Democrat in Utah’s Senate delegation to provide a new voice for Hill’s future.
Sen. Hatch deserves our thanks for many years of service. But the current political dysfunction, and Congress’ very low approval ratings, we support the need for a younger, more energetic senator. Scott Howell deserves to be elected.
Orrin Hatch Audio:
Scott Howell Audio:
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