Gordon Storrs
Candidate for: Representative in the House of Representatives, District 23.

Political party: Republican
Birth date:  July 13, 1946
Birth place:  Provo, Utah
Current city of residence: Salt Lake City
Family members: Partner, 4 children, 10 grandchildren
Current occupation:  Planner
Education: BS Degree from the University of Utah in Sociology with a Welfare Emphasis and a Masters Degree in Hospital Administration from the University of Minnesota.
Hobbies/Interests:  Working on the house I built, woodcarving, sculpting, gardening, running, reading, community service.

1. Using 150 to 200 words, please state your reasons for running for office. What compels you to take on this responsibility?
    
   I am running to represent Legislative District 23 because my favorite hymn teaches me, "Because I have been given much, I too must give.”
   
   As a Representative I will help create public policy that celebrates us, in our part of town, our families, our desires, our diversity and our dreams.  I will work to assure this is done in an honest environment of freely shared ideas, where all participating are treated with dignity, respect and honor, and where rules are created that assure that the work of the legislature is done transparently—in the open.
   
   When my term finishes I want my service measured by whether or not I protected our constitutional rights, enhanced human life and dignity, helped make state government transparent, strengthened all families, protected child and parental rights, promoted equality for all, and improved the availability and quality of educational opportunity for everyone. I want to be measured by whether I listened to and acted upon the ideas of those I represented and always told the truth.
    
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, because the success of our families, our communities, and our state depends upon a quality education available and affordable to all.  That education can be provided in several ways: public education, charter schools, private home schooling, private schools, private and public applied technology centers, community colleges and universities.  All of these must be accountable for the quality of education services they provide.  Parents should play a significant role in the education of their children and be able to choose the venue for education services that best meets the needs of their children and families.  Education services must be well funded and managed as if they were private businesses.
   
   2. Economic Development, because society does not work well unless the economy is strong and just.  The economy must stay strong in order to provide opportunity for the education that individuals and families need for financial success.  Family members need jobs, resources, and opportunity.  Communities must be financially healthy to allow everyone in the community to take advantage of the results of hard work.
    
   3. Openness and Truth in Government, because I want to personally help restore confidence in our elected officials and because government needs to be open, truthful and responsive to everyone in the state because its business is our business.  Currently, public policy is being created by a legislature which does not adequately listen to the views of all constituents.  In fact, it often treats as enemies those with opposing viewpoints.  This is wrong and destructive. We need a culture of hope which is not possible when so many distrust government.
    
3. What do you plan to do to address your top three issues?
    
   I realize I will be a first term legislator.  I also realize that more opportunity for leadership and committee appointments are open to Republicans than Democrats in our Legislature.  This means that I can be more a more effective representative for my district. I realize that most of the issues are very complex; however, I will support and propose legislation that will enable the people in my district in their efforts for success.
   
   Education---I will support increased funding for education through helping to grow the economy and propose legislation that provides incentives for families to ensure their children stay in school and seek higher education opportunities.  I will propose and support legislation that creates a culture of educational success, not failure or punishment.  I will propose and support legislation that offers parents more control over the education experience their children have by providing more venues that can be closely aligned with the needs of their families and children.  In order for this to happen, the very best minds in our society need to become and remain teachers.  Teachers must be rewarded at a level that makes teaching the career of choice, not only because one can change lives but because one can also make an excellent living teaching.  This will only be possible with a strong economy and efficiency in the provision of resources.  Money cannot be wasted.
   
   Economic Development—I will support and propose legislation that encourages entrepreneurism that creates a favorable business environment through fair taxation and that demonstrates the state’s commitment to business and industry success.  I will propose and support legislation that emphasizes the quality of the highly trained work force which we are carefully creating and maintaining through proper emphasis on education.
   
   Openness and Truth in Government—I will support and propose legislation that requires openness in government,  government that is responsive to all of us.  This legislation will create an environment that celebrates diverse ideas and rewards decision making based on collaboration and not on strategy and tricks.  I will support and propose legislation that assures that sufficient time is spent gathering ideas before a bill is passed rather that just running legislation through quickly as a strategy to “win”.
    
4. What are your most important accomplishments that would make you the most qualified candidate for office? 
      
   I continue to have a successful career that has included work in private business, not-for-profit business and services and government education services for 30 + years.  There is wisdom that accumulates during these years of diverse experience. I am known as someone who can bring diverse groups with diverse ideas together to make good decisions.  I have been involved in community service constantly since my college years, having served on numerous boards and institutions including the Poplar Grove Community Council, NeighborWorks, the Utah Mental Health Association, Log Cabin Republicans and the Utah Pride Center and many others.
    
5. What skills, talents, and strengths do you have that enhance your ability to be an effective office holder? 
    
   I am a problem solver.  I have the skill to bring people with diverse ideas together around common goals.  I am thorough.  I trust people and love involvement with others in problem solving.  I have a lot of energy and am optimistic about the future of our diverse state, community and my own neighborhood.
    
6. Why do you belong to your political party?  
    
   My party has traditionally been the party of fiscal constraint, limited government, personal freedom, the idea that the best government is that closest to us and that all should have the opportunity for success, therefore allowing dignity and worth for every individual.  My party has strayed from some of those principles and I believe it is my responsibility along with many others to help the party return to those principles that make it my party of choice.