Dan Gardner is committed to protecting rural Utah and the way of life it represents. He will fight for local communities, defend agriculture and water rights, support responsible growth, and make sure rural families are not overlooked by leaders making decisions from a distance. He believes southern Utah deserves practical representation that understands its people, respects its traditions, and works to keep its future strong.
Dan Gardner believes constitutional freedoms are worth defending every time, not just when it’s convenient. He will stand for religious liberty, free speech, the right to keep and bear arms, and the constitutional limits that keep government in its proper place. He believes individual rights, personal responsibility, and the rule of law are the foundation of strong communities and lasting freedom.
Dan Gardner believes government should serve the people, not drift away from them. He will support limited, accountable government that respects taxpayers, protects local decision-making, and works to ensure the Legislature better understands the needs, challenges, and priorities of rural Utah. He believes the best decisions are made when rural voices are heard, respected, and represented.
I come from a farming and ranching family. Agriculture isn’t an abstract policy issue to me — it’s a way of life that built Utah. As your representative, I will:
Oppose legislation that imposes unnecessary regulatory burdens on farmers and ranchers
Defend private property and water rights, including opposition to forced diversion of irrigation water
Reject ESG-driven mandates that threaten agricultural independence
Protect grazing rights and rural livelihoods from bureaucratic overreach
Food security and land stewardship begin with respecting the people who work the land
Government’s first responsibility is public safety. When the justice system fails, innocent Utahns pay the price. I will:
Support firm sentencing standards for violent offenders
Oppose early release for violent felons
Advocate for judicial accountability when reckless sentencing puts the public at risk
Support strong penalties for crimes against children, including reviewing sentencing frameworks to ensure they reflect the seriousness of these offenses
Compassion without accountability is not justice.
As a civics teacher, I have spent my career teaching the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the principles of limited government. In the Legislature, I will:
Use the Constitution as my primary guide in evaluating legislation
Oppose laws that erode free speech, due process, or religious liberty
Defend the separation of powers and legislative authority
Resist executive and bureaucratic overreach at both the state and federal levels
The Constitution is not optional. It is the contract.
Strong families are the foundation of a strong society, and parents — not bureaucrats — are responsible for raising children. I will:
Defend the sanctity of life and traditional family values
Protect women’s sports and ensure fair competition
Oppose classroom indoctrination and support parental rights in education
Strengthen laws that restrict minors’ access to pornography and obscene online material
Utah can protect children without sacrificing liberty.
Immigration policy must respect compassion and the rule of law. I will:
Support cooperation between state and federal law enforcement
Oppose sanctuary policies in Utah
Reject the use of state tax dollars to subsidize benefits for individuals in the country illegally
A nation without borders cannot long remain a nation of laws.
The right to keep and bear arms is fundamental. I will:
Defend constitutional carry
Protect Utah’s hunting traditions
Support responsible school safety programs
Oppose local policies that infringe on lawful ownership
Public safety and constitutional rights can coexist.
Government should be disciplined, predictable, and focused on essential functions. I will:
Support eliminating the state tax on food
Work to remove taxes on Social Security benefits
Back tax relief for tips and overtime income
Seek ways to reduce property and business tax burdens
Oppose unnecessary government expansion
Tax policy should strengthen families and local economies.
As a Marine Corps veteran who deployed to Afghanistan, I know firsthand the sacrifices service members make. I will:
Advocate state-level solutions that help fill gaps in the VA system
Support mental health and suicide prevention initiatives
Work to ease tax burdens on Utah veterans
Ensure veterans receive the support they’ve earned
Service shouldn’t end when the uniform comes off.
District 69 isn’t theoretical—it’s lived. Rooted families. Working land. Local economies. That’s who we serve.
These are deeply rooted, generational communities. People here aren’t passing through—they’re staying, building, and raising families.
This is one of the most real-economy districts in the state. Land, water, and production aren’t abstract issues—they’re daily life.
People here are invested—literally. This is a district of owners, not transients. People here are invested in their communities and planning for the long term.
Work is local. Jobs, small business, and community infrastructure matter more here than big-city policy debates.
This is a district of skilled, working people—not academic elites. Trades, experience, and real-world knowledge carry weight.
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