Disclaimer: This post is produced solely to inform Utahns about education policy issues. Sutherland does not endorse any candidate running for governor, and nothing in this post should be construed as an endorsement of any political party or any candidate running for governor.

Utah voters will have a primary election June 30. Many Utahns are filling out mail-in ballots right now.

If you have a Republican ballot and haven’t already voted for governor, and you’re wondering where each candidate stands on education policy issues, take a look at our side-by-side comparison as you prepare to vote.

Thomas Wright (Rob Bishop):

On his website, Wright says he wants to use a “business perspective” to improve K-12 education. To do this he wants to focus on education results and increase teacher pay and other resources. In the postsecondary space he wants to help students identify the right degree, save money in the delivery by rethinking buildings, and drive down the cost of tuition. 

When it comes to teachers, Wright says, “We know that teachers teach because of their love and passion for their students. We cannot allow teaching our children to be a second income profession. We must treat teaching as a respected profession and recognize the work teachers do every day to shape our future.”

 Jon Huntsman (Michelle Kaufusi):

Huntsman, on his website, discusses the need to look at changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to improve the teacher profession. He said he believes in local control in education and that during his previous time as governor he took Utah out of the No Child Left Behind program. Huntsman says he supports public schools but also loves innovation.

He says, “We want highly-skilled, well-rounded students who graduate with the confidence and ability to compete in the global economy we now live in. Education must continue to evolve just like our economy is evolving. Students today are digital natives who are growing up in a world in which they can ask a question out loud to a disembodied robot and get an answer. Once fundamentals are established, we need less memorization and more emphasis on skills that will continue to be valuable even as technology increases.” 

Spencer Cox (Deidre Henderson):

On his campaign website Cox says that teachers need to be fairly compensated, that principals need the power to hire and fire teachers, and that students need access to an education that suits their needs.

Regarding local control, Cox says, “Education is a state and local prerogative and … federal involvement in education should be minimized to the greatest extent possible. That way teachers can get back to doing what they do best – teaching.”

Greg Hughes (Victor Iverson):

Hughes’ website says that during his time as speaker of the House in the Utah Legislature, he added $1.7 billion in new money for Utah schools, supported the Carson Smith Special Needs Scholarship, expanded charter schools, and pushed back against federal encroachment. He said he would plan to get Utah out of Common Core and reject federal funding that comes with strings attached.

Hughes says, “As your next governor, I will be focused on fighting back against federal encroachment in our education system. Additionally, I will consistently work to evaluate and develop policy solutions that lead to increased parental involvement and choice, better education delivery, a better economy to fund education and solutions on how to best use those dollars.”

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While a governor does not have as direct a role in education policymaking as other entities such as the state legislature or the state board of education, governors can use the bully pulpit to champion ideas and publish budget recommendations, and they have some appointment powers for boards of education.

It’s important for voters to know what a candidate’s vision is for education in the state as they approach election. Happy voting!