Meet Blake
In 2021, my wife, Tori, and I purchased our starter home in West Jordan after spending months searching in a highly competitive housing market. We have two dogs, Bennie (Border Collie-Husky mix) and Bruce (Chihuahua mix), and at the end of May this year, we welcomed our daughter, Caroline, into the world. My young family has grown to love and appreciate our area by attending local events and eating and shopping at local businesses.
I earned my degree in Political Science at Utah State University, where many of my classes were built around open forum discussions and building empathy for those needing help. In my career, I have become aware of the importance of advocating for oneself and for the rights of others! My career began in the dynamic environment of tech recruiting, but has now transitioned into the nonprofit labor sector. I’ve spent the last 3 years traveling to all parts of the state, talking to Utahns about employment-related issues and hearing from working families about the issues they face. I think shocking to no one who has to pay bills, the number 1 issue is the cost of living becoming harder and harder to keep up with.
Why am I running?
I grew up in Utah, attending public school from elementary through graduating at Utah State University with a degree in Political Science. I've always loved this state and have been inspired by its incredible natural landscapes and the compassion our communities have for one another.
Therefore, it makes me frustrated to see how we've reached a point where the majority party in our state government seems so disconnected from the everyday concerns of Utahns, especially regarding working families’ needs. Too often, our legislature is more focused on governing for themselves and those who are already the most well-off than on supporting the working families who make our communities thrive. We call ourselves a “family first” state, but just ask yourself when was the last time you recall the legislature doing anything to serve working families.
Instead, it seems increasingly focused on overturning voter-approved ballot initiatives, busting unions, and allowing data centers that drain our state’s natural resources, while providing tax breaks to those who are already the most well off at the cost of cutting services that benefit Utahns as a whole. We have had bills introduced in legislation that would increase our state’s minimum wage, provide more accessible childcare, and more appropriately fund our public education system, all of which have been dismissed or voted against by our current government’s supermajority.
In short, it is time for the legislature to start working for working families who keep Utah running. I am running for those who have to choose between paying all their inflated bills or putting food on the table. I am running for those who, like me, have run up against a nearly impossible real estate market that only continues to put pressure on young families. I am running for those who want to protect wild Utah and ensure that Utah isn’t only livable for future generations but keeps it natural beauty.
Overall, I am a strong labor advocate who knows the affordability crisis must be addressed head-on, while also putting in protections to address the current state of the Great Salt Lake.
A vote for me is a vote to make Utah livable, affordable and fair for all of us and future generations.