Libby Shelton highlights knowledge of legislation impact in House District 8 race
Photo supplied, Libby Shelton
Libby SheltonLibby Shelton is a Forward candidate for the House District 8 seat. Below are her responses to a six-question survey sent to her by the Standard-Examiner. The Standard-Examiner made an attempt to contact each candidate involved in a competitive race in Weber and Davis counties.
1. Why is the position you are running for important?
A state legislator representing house district 8 has the ability to craft and vote on legislation that directly impacts the district and all of Utah on issues such as clean air, taxes, fair maps, education, and many others that affect people’s lives. This is a position of serious trust requiring a representative willing to listen.
2. What unique qualities, attributes, skills, and experiences do you possess that make you the best candidate in this race?
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and over the last 15 years I have worked with people to navigate the laws and policies implemented by the state so they could find solutions to problems for themselves and their families. I know the way that legislation impacts the individual. I have worked on many projects surrounding poverty, homelessness, medical access, youth interventions, justice involved populations, substance use, and others.
I understand how to find, interpret, and apply data correctly. I understand how to set boundaries and expectations while still allowing space for compassion. As a therapist, I am well-trained to listen.
3. Please explain your priorities if elected, as well as why you believe you are uniquely capable of achieving those priorities.
My priorities, if I am elected, are to first ensure that the citizens of Utah have access to power by ensuring they have as few barriers to exercising their right to vote as possible by protecting voting by mail and the implementation of fair maps. My next priority would be to ensure that there is greater transparency in legislation, especially surrounding taxation and large scale projects that affect community resources. I believe my ability to communicate assertively, actively listen, and mitigate pragmatic solutions while working with others of differing opinions make me capable of achieving these priorities.
4. Please describe how you view the importance of compromise in politics and provide an example from your own experiences that highlights your perspective.
Civic compromise is essential in making progress in politics. In my own experience, I have had to work with others to balance my knowledge of best practices in the treatment of clients with the concerns of personnel whose primary concerns are security.
However, I must qualify this with the belief that that basic human rights should not be a matter of compromise.
5. How will you balance the views of the vocal public, your political party, and your own understanding and knowledge as an elected representative?
In instances where the vocal public and my own understanding are at odds, I would employ public open houses and town halls to listen and ask questions. I would expect my constituents to share their priorities, while helping them understand mine. As part of the Forward Party, all I am asked to do is to promise to work with others on finding solutions. There is no platform to which I am beholden.
