Utah Senate District 7 Primary: Stuart Adams, Braden Hess, and Stephanie Hollist
The Republican Primary featuring Utah’s current Senate President and two qualifying challengers.
About this position
Utah has 29 state senators who form the upper of two chambers. Each senator represents around (or just over) 100,000 Utah residents.
Senators are part-time legislators who serve during Utah’s yearly legislative session, which runs for 45 days from January to March, as well as during each interim session and on various committees and commissions. State senators also confirm judicial appointments, department heads, and other appointed positions.
Senate District 7 (“SD7”) comprises a small part of Morgan County as well as parts of Layton, Kaysville, Farmington, and Centerville, in addition to all of Fruit Heights in Davis County. Find your state senate district.
We note that because it features one of the most influential incumbent politicians in Utah, Senate District 7 is one of the most important races in the state.
Candidates
Stuart Adams
About: Incumbent. Born and raised in Layton. Owner of a real estate, construction, and development firm. Former Layton City Council and Utah State Transportation Commission member. Mr. Adams has served in the legislature for over twenty years after being selected by delegates for a mid-term appointment to the House in 2002, then to the Senate in 2009. Utah Senate President since 2018.
Top priorities (from website): cutting taxes, keeping trans men out of women’s sports, school choice vouchers, and ending DEI
Insights: Since Republicans have a veto-proof supermajority in the legislature, Mr. Adams is arguably the most powerful politician in Utah—and has been for some time. We note that with Mr. Adams at the helm, the legislature has reduced government transparency, extended control relative to the judiciary, and overturned the will of voters on three ballot initiatives that became law. He has also been involved in state road projects that appear to have benefitted him personally and, anecdotally, made the Senate a hostile place for Republicans who don’t fall into lockstep on major votes.
Most recently, Mr. Adam has taken heat for his role as the chair of MIDA, the Military Installation Development Authority, which is pushing a mega data-center in Box Elder County with little public input or study. Last month, Mr. Adams’ PAC received almost $140,000 in donations from firms with MIDA-related interests.
Braden Hess
About: Born and raised in Davis County. Attorney. Worked for Utah’s Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel. Now has his own law firm and also works as a realtor.
Top priorities (from website): Defending families, free market, and the Constitution. Also, vetting judges carefully, reforming and lowering taxes, and making housing affordable.
Insights: Mr. Hess’ campaign website contains relatively little information. A look at his campaign Facebook page suggests that he is challenging Mr. Adams from the right—making a campaign appearance with Phil Lyman and fully supporting the Trump administration’s ICE efforts.
Interestingly, Mr. Hess suggests that the government asking for a 75% reduction in the Box Elder data center is the wrong approach because “business’s core duty is creating value for shareholders.” We wonder who he believes government’s “shareholders” to be.
His social media and a podcast episode in which he appeared suggest that Mr. Hess is hoping to eliminate “activist” judges. As moderates who oppose gerrymandering we worry that, if elected, he’ll continue his predecessor’s opposition to Prop 4, the citizen initiative Utah voters approved in an effort to end partisan gerrymandering.
Stephanie Hollist
About: Born and raised in Davis County. Worked as an attorney for state and municipal government, including as general counsel for Weber State University. Ms. Hollist currently works as VP and general counsel for a heavy machinery company in Salt Lake City.
Top priorities (from website): Building trust, good government, supporting youth, and helping working families provide for their families through affordable housing, a robust job market, educational opportunities, etc.
Insights: Ms. Hollist feels strongly about upholding the Constitution, listening to constituents, and restoring trust in government. She’s taught government ethics for a decade.
Ms. Hollist has experience crafting bills with legislators and understands the law-making process—as well as the potential unintended consequences of new laws and the hardships often created by unfunded mandates. In our discussions with her, we’ve learned that she is committed to collaborative problem solving and tackling tough issues. She’s also a strong supporter of public education (in fact, her husband works at a public school).
Our Recommendation
We strongly support Stephanie Hollist as the Republican candidate in this race. In our view, Ms. Hollist is the only candidate in this race who exemplifies the values and attributes we look for in candidates.
After many interactions with her, we strongly anticipate that Ms. Hollist would bridge differences, listen, serve with integrity, and do right by SD7 residents. We believe electing her would mean far more ethical and responsive leadership in the Utah Senate.
What’s next
The winner of the 3-way Republican primary for Senate District 7 will face Democratic challenger Garrett Rushforth and Constitution Party candidate Jeffrey Ostler in the November general election.
Learn more about Senate District 7.