Senatorial candidate worried about the future
College democrats and republicans alike gathered to hear what Sam Granato, U.S. senatorial candidate, had to say Tuesday night in Old Main.
Granato answered questions about everything from education to immigration and discussed his goals, if elected. He is running against republican Mike Lee, but said the party didn’t matter – he was more mainstream and would represent Utah better than Lee.
“It’s not the R or the D behind the name, it’s the U for Utah,” Granato said. “I have support from all groups – republicans, democrats, and independents.”
Granato has served on numerous committees, including chairing the Salt Lake Valley Board of Health, and was appointed by former Governor Jon Huntsman to chair the Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission.
He said public service “got into (his) blood,” and encouraged him to make a difference.
“I looked at the country, and I was scared. I have a wife and four kids, and I was scared for their future, as well as the youth of this nation,” Granato said.
Granato was introduced by republican Jim Bennett, son of Sen. Bob Bennett, who was recently ousted by the Tea Party movement here in Utah. Bennett said he wasn’t bitter about the race, but he felt Granato would do better for the mainstream and majority of Utah than Lee, even though he’s a democrat.
“I’ve jumped off the cliff – I’m doing it because it’s the right thing to do,” Bennett said. “There’s so much anger and rage in the race this year, but Sam Granato is a lot closer to Utah voter and republican thought than Mike Lee.”
Granato believes that troops should be pulled out of Afghanistan, but that Obama is right in finishing the job. He said former President George Bush started the war, but it is Obama’s job to finish.
Granato said immigration issues have been neglected for too long. He said the borders of the country need to be secured – a bigger fence and a swinging gate were needed, but that immigrants were an important part of our country.
“We have major industries that would fail if we kicked out all illegal immigrants,” he said.
Other topics covered included gay marriage, the military’s Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy, federal stimulus money, and changing the constitution. Granato said he is open to working with others, and wants to change what he calls the “partisan gridlock” in Congress.
Granato said he agrees with Mormon apostle Dallin Oaks, and believes gay marriage is an issue for the states, and not for the federal government. He thinks Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell should be repealed.
“There are gays serving in the military, and they are serving with honor. They should be respected,” he said.
He said Mike Lee wants to get rid of all earmarks that come to Utah in bills.
“Earmarks have become a dirty word. But we need that money – for things called highways, tarmacs at the airport. Half of one percent of our federal budget is from earmarks,” Granato said. “If we aren’t going to raise our hand, someone else will get that money.”
Granato said he plans on being in Washington, D.C. next year, but made no commitments for taxes. He said when he got to D.C., he would look at what could be cut.
“I plan to win on Nov. 2,” Granato said. “I plan to go to Washington, D.C. to represent Utah.”
–april.ashland@aggiemail.usu.edu