Brian King in 2024 UT Governor's race
On Abortion:
Progressive mother's support for Roe v. Wade was influential
Brian's mother, a feminist and progressive, left an indelible mark on his values. She epitomized the principles of autonomy and equality. Her rational and logical approach to issues, notably her disappointment when the Equal Rights Amendment failed in
Utah and her support for Roe v. Wade, influenced Brian and his brothers. The dining table debates became a training ground for Brian's ability to navigate nuanced discussions, embracing both emotional and analytical perspectives.
Source: 2024 Utah Gubernatorial campaign website KingForUtah.com
Dec 25, 2023
On Abortion:
Led the opposition to state's abortion prohibition
As minority leader, King led opposition to Utah's 2020 abortion prohibition and proposed gun control legislation requiring universal background checks on gun sales. King continues to be "very concerned" about "women's reproductive issues." He thinks
it is just one example of Republicans "completely misreading the will and the desires of the people of the state of Utah with regard to these most personal private decisions in their lives" which has made Utahns more open to a Democratic alternative.
Source: Deseret News on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race
Dec 4, 2023
On Civil Rights:
Gender/sexual orientation not simply black and white
King said the issue is more complicated than how conservatives have portrayed it. "Things are not simply black and white, in terms of gender orientation, sexual orientation, gender identification. It's definitely not accurate to say that girls
are girls and boys are boys," he said, a comment which drew moans from the public. "Our public education students deserve better than that from us."
Source: Salt Lake Tribune on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race
Mar 25, 2022
On Drugs:
Supports crafting a good medical marijuana statute
King said Prop 2 "has some flaws, and some of them are significant. But I'm voting for it because I think the best way of putting in place a good medical marijuana statute is to pass Prop 2, and then address the deficiencies in the regular session in
January." Like about 90 percent of his colleagues in the Legislature, the Democrat is a Latter-day Saint.
Source: Salt Lake Tribune on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race
Sep 17, 2018
On Education:
Tax cuts hurt funding that would go for public education
The proposed budget also provides money to benefit rural school districts, which King said has always been one of his top priorities. "We're kind of talking about this out of both sides of our mouths when we say we want to fund education,"
King said. "But at the same time, the legislature is saying, ‘Well, we want to give everyone a tax cut out of those same plans that would otherwise go to public education.'"
Source: KPCW on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race
Dec 7, 2023
On Government Reform:
Bill overturned local bans of entire breeds of dogs
All breeds of dogs, including pit bulls, are now legal statewide. The law, sponsored by King, notes that all risks in society cannot be negated and allows for citizens to decide what dog is best for their family. The focus is now on the behavior of
certain dogs, rather than specific breeds."It became evident to me that for numerous reasons," King said, "this idea that we can target an entire breed and outlaw them in a city or town, that was a bad idea."
Source: St. George News on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race
Jan 5, 2015
On Government Reform:
Limit state AG's ability to file amicus briefs outside Utah
King has filed H.B. 232, which would limit the powers of the state attorney general by requiring them to get the governor's permission to file an amicus curare brief or join in legal matters outside of Utah.
[Attorney General Sean] Reyes joined 17 other state attorneys general in seeking to overturn the election results in swing states that Trump lost. King's bill would put a check on Utah's attorney general office and limit the power that position holds.
Source: Daily Utah Chronicle on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race
Feb 10, 2021
On Gun Control:
Sponsored bill calling for universal background checks
King unveiled a bill that would enact universal background checks on gun sales in Utah, with some exceptions. To King, who cited mounting public pressure and surveyed support for a universal background check law, said it's only a matter of time before
Utah passes its own law."This is not a question of if this kind of bill passes," King said. "It's only a question of when. And how many lives are we going to lose between now and then because we don't have these effective laws?"
Source: Deseret News on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race
Dec 17, 2019
On Health Care:
Important to make mental health treatment more accessible
His commitment to representing those whose mental health and substance use disorder treatment claims were denied by insurance companies reflects a dedication to justice and advocacy. "It's very much a David v. Goliath situation. It's an important effort
to make mental health treatment more accessible and to hold insurers accountable. I can't think of anything I'd rather be doing with my life (except being Governor). It's making a difference for good--for the better."
Source: 2024 Utah Gubernatorial campaign website KingForUtah.com
Dec 25, 2023
On Principles & Values:
I believe that it is Christlike to challenge the status quo
On his mother's side, Brian proudly carries the legacy of his great great grandfather, Hyrum Smith, brother to Joseph Smith, the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This connection to a pivotal figure in religious history fuels
Brian's perspective on challenging authority. He reflects on the Christlike attribute of questioning power, drawing parallels between the sacrifice of Jesus and the challenges faced by his great great grandfather in standing up for truth,
even when unpopular."Not only through my study of the New Testament and Book of Mormon but from studying my own family history, I've come to believe that it is Christlike to challenge the status quo. The man we worship was killed for it. My great
great grandfather, Hyrum Smith, was also killed for challenging authority and standing up for what he knew to be true, even when it was deeply unpopular. In everything I do, I hope to follow in their footsteps."
Source: 2024 Utah Gubernatorial campaign website KingForUtah.com
Dec 25, 2023
On Principles & Values:
Opposes restricting freedoms in the names of religion
As an LDS Bishop in the mid-1990s, he embraced connecting with people during vulnerable moments. While remaining an active member of the church, Brian's interfaith marriage and close ties with friends and family from diverse religious backgrounds
underscore his belief that every Utahn deserves an advocate for religious or non-religious liberty. This conviction compels him to proactively speak out against any restrictions on freedoms or rights imposed in the name of religion.
Source: 2024 Utah Gubernatorial campaign website KingForUtah.com
Dec 25, 2023
On Tax Reform:
Critically important programs need to be funded
King doesn't support legislative leadership considering more tax cuts. "I don't want to be overtaxed any more than anybody else,"
King said. "But I also know that there's some really critically important programs that aren't being funded the way they need to be."
Source: KPCW on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race
Dec 7, 2023
On Budget & Economy:
Develop a strong workforce to strengthen our economy
Economic Development and Workforce: Decades of long-term planning, fiscal prudence, and conservative policies have shaped Utah's economy into the strongest in the nation.
Our world-renowned tourism industry, thriving tech sector, and strong workforce strengthen our economy and provide opportunities for all Utahns.
Source: 2024 Utah Gubernatorial campaign website house.utleg.gov
Jun 6, 2024
On Civil Rights:
We deserve better than anti-DEI and anti-LGBTQ+ laws
Gubernatorial candidate and State Representative, Brian S. King, released the following statement on Governor Cox signing anti-DEI and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation into law:
"Extreme, divisive, and unnecessary legislation. Is this who we are? Is this who we want to be? Is this the legacy we want to leave? I've said it before and I'll say it again: you deserve better."
Source: 2024 Utah Governor press release: "2024: Anti-DEI"
Jan 30, 2024
On Energy & Oil:
All-of-the-above policy provides reliable, affordable energy
Utah's measured, all-of-the-above energy policy has powered Utah for decades by providing some of the most reliable and affordable energy in the country. We've proven that Utah is best fit for managing our energy, not the federal government.
Learn about our efforts to apply common sense solutions and push back on federal regulatory overreach that threatens our ability to provide power to our state, fuel our economy, and maintain a high quality of life for the people of Utah.
Source: 2024 Utah Gubernatorial campaign website house.utleg.gov
Jun 6, 2024
On Principles & Values:
Running-mate: librarian Rebekah Cummings for Lt.Gov.
Brian King, the Democratic candidate for governor, unveiled his pick for lieutenant governor: "I am writing to name Rebekah Cummings as my running mate and candidate for lieutenant governor," he said. "A mom. A public servant. A librarian.
A defender against book banning and censorship. Utahns will be well served by Rebekah's leadership through her advocacy for intellectual freedom and commitment to empowering families."Cummings is the director of digital matters at the
University of Utah and is a board chair of the Utah State Library Board. She has been a fierce advocate against book banning. These qualifications "are very relevant to the issues that we're facing," King said in his reasoning for picking her.
"I've actually been Brian's constituent for the past 11 years," she said, adding she has felt impressed by his ability to focus on "common sense solutions and working across the aisle to get things done."
Source: Deseret News on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race
Apr 29, 2024
On Social Security:
Easier judicial review of Retirement Board decisions
UT HB0482, "Utah Retirement Systems Appeals Amendments," Bill Summary(Sponsored by Brian King): This bill amends the options for obtaining judicial review of a decision by the Utah State Retirement Board.
AI Summary
This bill amends the options for obtaining judicial review of a decision by the Utah State Retirement Board. It provides that, in addition to the jurisdiction granted in the Utah Administrative Procedures Act, the district court shall have jurisdiction
to review, by trial de novo, a decision issued by the board resulting from formal adjudicative proceedings. The bill outlines the procedures for such judicial review, including the district court's ability to receive additional evidence from the parties
and the application of the Utah Rules of Evidence. The bill also makes a conforming amendment to the existing law governing judicial review of agency actions, excluding the new judicial review process created in this bill.
Source: BillTrack50 on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race
Jun 6, 2024
On Drugs:
Rated D by NORML: restricted medical marijuana
NORML Politician Info: rated D - Candidate: Brian King (D - UT): Holds office State House District 23; Candidate in race for Governor 2024
- Key votes:
- SB 195: Expands the Ability of Doctors to
Recommend Medical Cannabis to Patients Suffering from Chronic Pain: voted YES
- HB 197: Authorizes the Cultivation and Distribution of Medical Marijuana: voted NO
- HB 195: Authorizes Terminal Ill Individuals to Try Medical Cannabis: voted YES
Source: NORML "Smoke the Vote" on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race
Aug 8, 2024
On Government Reform:
Legislature should not overturn ballot initiatives
Cox and King volleyed about whether Utahns should approve a constitutional amendment proposed in an emergency special session giving lawmakers unfettered power to repeal or amend voter-passed initiatives.King said he would vote
against the amendment in November, but Cox remained coy as to where he sits on it. "The governor doesn't have an opportunity to weigh in on constitutional amendments," Cox said, while insisting the power to run ballot initiatives must remain available.
"The governor is deceiving you in the same way the Legislature is," King responded.
While answering questions from reporters after the debate, Cox refused to give a direct answer as to whether he will vote "for" or "against"
Amendment D. "If I could have written it, I would have done some things differently," Cox said, adding, "I think on balance, it's worth supporting, but it's close."
Source: Salt Lake Tribune on 2024 Utah Gubernatorial race
Sep 11, 2024
Page last updated: Oct 31, 2024