Mike Schultz is a Republican candidate for the House District 12 seat. Below are his responses to a six-question survey sent to him 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?

The decisions we make in the Utah Legislature directly affect the everyday lives of the people we represent, from the taxes families pay and the quality of our children’s education to transportation, housing, and energy costs.

I was born and raised in Hooper, and this community will always be home. I’ve watched our communities grow and understand the opportunities and challenges that come with that growth.

Serving in the Legislature is about protecting the opportunities that make Utah a great place to live while ensuring the next generation has those same opportunities. As Speaker of the House, I have the responsibility to help guide policies benefiting our entire state while never forgetting the people of Weber and Davis counties who elected me.

2. What unique qualities, attributes, skills, and experiences do you possess that make you the best candidate in this race?

I didn’t start my career in government. I grew up working on farms, hauling hay, roofing homes, and learning the value of hard work. I went on to build and operate many small businesses.

That experience shaped how I approach public service. In business, you manage budgets, solve problems, make difficult decisions, and deliver results. You can’t simply talk about getting something done. You have to do it.

I’ve brought that approach to the Legislature. My colleagues selected me to serve as House Majority Leader and later as Speaker of the House.

Those responsibilities have given me the experience, relationships, and understanding of the legislative process needed to turn ideas into meaningful results for Weber and Davis Counties.

3. Please explain your priorities if elected, as well as why you believe you are uniquely capable of achieving those priorities.

My priorities are keeping Utah affordable, strengthening education, managing growth responsibly, and protecting our water and energy resources.

Families are feeling the pressure of rising costs. We need to continue cutting taxes, controlling government spending, and work together to address barriers that make housing more expensive.

Education is especially important. We’ve increased teacher compensation and expanded career and technical education. I’m particularly proud of helping secure $30 million for the Weber Innovation Center, providing students greater access to hands-on learning and pathways to good-paying careers.

We’ve also secured major transportation investments, including improvements to 5600 South, the Roy I-15 interchange, and 1800 North, to address congestion and improve safety.

As Speaker, I’ve helped move these priorities forward and built the relationships necessary to deliver results. I’ll continue ensuring Weber and Davis counties’ needs remain a priority.

4. Please describe how you view the importance of compromise in politics and provide an example from your own experiences that highlights your perspective.

Compromise doesn’t mean abandoning your principles. It means listening, recognizing legitimate concerns, and finding solutions that move us forward.

As Speaker, I work with representatives who bring different backgrounds and perspectives to the Capitol. We don’t always agree, even within the same party.

Our efforts to protect the Great Salt Lake are one example. We’ve worked to balance the needs of agriculture, industry, communities, and the environment, including negotiating voluntary conservation agreements with mineral companies that have committed significant water to the lake. The efforts we’ve made have helped prevent the Great Salt Lake from reaching a record low this year.

Those agreements demonstrate that meaningful progress is possible when we bring stakeholders together, find common ground, and focus on results rather than political disagreements.

5. How will you balance the views of the vocal public, your political party, and your own understanding and knowledge as an elected representative?

My first responsibility is to the people I represent, not simply the loudest voices or any particular political interest.

I believe in conservative principles, including limited government, fiscal responsibility, individual liberty, and environmental stewardship. Those principles guide my decisions, but I also have a responsibility to listen, examine the facts, and consider long-term consequences.

Data centers are one example. They offer economic opportunities but also raise legitimate concerns about electricity costs, water consumption, and impacts on communities. We must protect existing ratepayers and ensure development doesn’t come at the expense of taxpayers, our environment, or natural resources.

People won’t always agree with every decision I make, but they should expect me to listen respectfully, explain my reasoning, and make decisions based on sound principles and the best interests of our communities.

6. What is the best way for readers to contact you and/or get more information about your platform?

I encourage residents to reach out, share their concerns, and stay involved.

You can learn more about my campaign at VoteForSchultz.com. Constituents can contact me by email at mikeschultz@le.utah.gov.

I appreciate hearing directly from the people I represent, whether we agree on an issue or not.