A COLUMN DIVIDED: Democrat challenges Governor Herbert
FROM THE LEFT: Mike McPhie
While the attention of the country has turned to the race for the White House, it is easy to forget there are a number of local and state elections that have a significant impact on our lives. In Utah, the gubernatorial race presents a critically important election that will likely shape the course of the state for years to come. While so many are frustrated with partisanship and extremism in politics, we find ourselves with a choice between an administration laden with scandals and controversy and a candidate that brings a moderate approach and strong experience to lead the state.
Peter Cooke is undoubtedly the most qualified candidate to meet the needs of the people of Utah. His experience ranges from longtime service in the military, where he attained the rank of major general, to a background in business as well as working in the public sector. He was involved in preparing housing for the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games and has worked to restore Fort Douglas and promote Hill Air Force Base. He is also a successful small businessman who understands the economic needs of the state. He has worked constantly to create partnerships between the public and private sector, a skill important in his business and significantly affecting his policies for governing.
The ideas and vision Cooke brings are indispensable to the progress of the state. He places strong emphasis on education, noting that “Investing in schools is key to our state’s economic competitiveness, prosperity and to our quality of life.” In addition to an educated workforce, Cooke has created an economic plan that relies on a fair tax policy, a favorable environment for businesses and working with the regions of the state to create a partnership between the public and private sector. He also understands the need to develop safe, clean and inexpensive sources of energy to ensure the well-being of the state’s natural beauty as well as the economy.
While many in the state belong to the same party as Gov. Herbert, they have also opposed the scandals and disappointments of his tenure, including cutting millions of dollars from education, wasting money on a lawsuit doomed to fail, taking bribes from corporations who benefited from state contracts and signing a bill restricting access to public records. Even within Republican ranks, there has been a great deal of complaint about the corruption and mishandlings of Herbert’s administration.
Cooke is a true political moderate, appealing to a vast majority of Utahns. While Utah is a conservative state, most of the populations are not nearly as extreme as Herbert or the state legislature. Though some people vote blindly based purely on political party, I hope thoughtful and informed citizens would try to find the candidate most qualified and representative of their views. Peter Cooke is the best choice to be Utah’s governor, not based on partisan pandering or political identity, but because of his experience, dedication and ideas for the future.
– Mike McPhie is a senior from Toole, Utah, majoring in law and constitutional studies. During the spring semester, he interned in Washington, D.C. Send him comments at mike.mcphie@aggiemail.usu.edu.
FROM THE RIGHT: Casey Saxton
Gary Herbert has served the state of Utah well as governor since his appointment in 2009 following Jon Huntsman’s resignation. He is currently seeking to be elected to his first full term as governor of Utah. His primary opponent in the gubernatorial race is Democratic candidate Peter Cooke, a retired major general in the U.S. Army Reserve.
To be honest, I know very little about Cooke. From what I have been able to learn about him, he seems to be a fine man who has served his country well and has been successful in business. If I didn’t think the state wasn’t being managed well at the moment, I’d give him a serious look: However, I believe Gov. Herbert has been an excellent leader of the state.
Herbert has been a strong advocate of pro-growth and pro-business policies in Utah with the state seeing a dropping unemployment rate and growing hiring rate since he was appointed governor. He has also eliminated more than 300 unnecessary business regulations, making it easier for businesses to expand.
Utah has been ranked by Forbes as the best state in the country for business, and I believe Herbert will continue to make this an attractive place for businesses to locate. He recognizes that businesses seek a return on their investment, which is often why they choose to bring their business to Utah.
Herbert has also been a strong voice for education in Utah and believes strongly in investing in it. He recognizes that simply pouring money into the state’s educational system doesn’t necessarily make schools better off, but funding combined with proper management and great teachers is what will move education in the state forward. He has increased funding for Utah schools and as a matter of fact, education currently takes up roughly two-thirds of the state’s budget.
I do have one area of combined criticism and compliment for the governor. He has set a goal for 66 percent of the Utah workforce to have a college degree or skilled trade certificate by the end of the decade. I think a goal like that is great, but I feel the governor hasn’t offered a plan on how the state will reach that goal. Perhaps in the coming days, the governor will lay out details on how he plans to make that number a reality.
All in all, Gov. Herbert has led the state well. I believe we should again elect him as our governor.
– Casey Saxton, a sophomore majoring in business administration, is the president of the USU College Republicans. He can be reached at caseysaxton@hotmail.com.