For the first time in the state’s history, both of Utah’s candidates for Lieutenant Governor are women. On Monday during an online forum, Democratic candidate Karina Brown shared her views on education during the pandemic, civic involvement and access to healthcare.
“Education I think is the foundation of Utah. It’s the foundation of our success. And when we invest in teachers and children, we’re investing in the future," she said.
Brown spoke about her campaign during a forum held by the Hinckley Institute of Politics and Real Women Run on Monday.
Brown was one of the co-sponsors on the ballot initiative to expand Medicaid in Utah in 2018. When it comes to education, Brown said she believes investing in Utah teachers and students is a priority, especially during the pandemic.
She is also passionate about affordable healthcare. When her mother died in the healthcare gap in 2013, this led Brown to understand the importance of civic engagement. She began communicating with legislators to vote for a medicaid expansion plan.
“From that moment forward I committed to being organized, to being engaged, and I never looked back after that moment. So that’s what motivates me civic engagement-wise, is knowing there’s vulnerable people out there that I can help speak up for," she said.
Due to a scheduling conflict, Republican candidate, Senator Deidre Henderson did not speak at the event and was unavailable for an interview after. According to Henderson’s website, she is passionate about a transparent government, conservative tax policy, and a supporter of small businesses in Utah.
Correction: In the audio and an earlier version of this story, the ballot in native Brown co-sponsored is misidentified. This has been updated.
