Marcie West
Candidate for: House District 14

Political party: Democrat
Birth date: 10/01/1976
Birth place: Pueblo, Colorado
Current city of residence: Clearfield
Family members: Jeremy- Husband, Alana- daughter
Current occupation: Full time mother and small business owner
Education: BS in Political Science from the University of Utah
Hobbies/Interests: Movie Trivia

1. Using 150 to 200 words, please state your reasons for running for office. What compels you to take on this responsibility?
    
   have spent the last 12 years of my life working in politics working to elect Democratic candidates. This all changed when my daughter was born 7 weeks premature and what gave me the drive to become a candidate; I saw that the legislature ignoring the needs of our children and wanted to work as hard as I could for all of our children.
   
   Furthermore I am upset about the current districts representative, Curt Oda, and how he chose to vote on the voucher legislation.  This, I feel, is another in a long line of bad decisions that show his lack of leadership on issues that are important to the residents of this district.
    
2. What do you consider to be the top three issues currently facing Utah? Please list them in order of priority to you (with #1 the most important) and explain why they are important to you and to Utah.
    
   1- Education
   2- Transportation/ Gas Prices
   3- Public Safety
    
3. What do you plan to do to address your top three issues?
    
   1- I would fight any attempt to revive voucher legislation
   2- Mass transit needs to become more available to residents of the district. Front Runner is a start, but more can be done.
   3- Residents of Utah need to be able to feel safe in their home. This would include support for community watch programs and the right for responsible gun owners to carry their weapons.
    
4. What are your most important accomplishments that would make you the most qualified candidate for office?
    
   Being a mother and business owner, I feel I will bring a unique perspective to the Utah State Legislature.  Furthermore my previous experience in politics allows me to understand what it takes to be effective on day one.
    
5. What skills, talents, and strengths do you have that enhance your ability to be an effective office holder?
    
   I have been both formally and practically educated in politics; this training allows me to know how to be a good legislator. When elected I will be open, responsive, and receptive to the people of my district. I would view the job as a responsibility and not a right. 
    
6. Why do you belong to your political party? 
    
   When I took the time to really study the issues and platforms of both parties I discovered I was a Democrat.  I am a firm believer in public and higher education, smart growth, real solutions to health care, and civil rights – just to name a few.