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Jason Walton is a non-career politician who has jumped into the senate race for Mitt Romney’s seat.
In an already crowded race to fill Utah’s senate seat, CEO and businessman Jason Walton has jumped into the race.
He started a business out of his garage, and while growing his business he “fought against government corruption and big government,” according to an interview with a local radio show. Walton currently resides in the city of Provo, but he hails from Monticello, a small town that instilled in him the values he claims echo those of the Utah residents he wants to represent.
Many of Walton’s "values" listed on his website include other conservative topics, such as supporting the second amendment, opposing “woke” ideology in government and schools, being pro life, and securing the border.
Walton got involved in public service through “local community work” where he was known as “the neighborhood block party organizer, young soccer coach, and active school board member.”
One issue Walton said that Utah’s small towns are often overlooked when it comes to creating policy. This has resulted in the federal government owning a lot of the Utah land - an issue which has been an ongoing issue in the state.
Around 67 percent of land in Utah is owned by the federal government, according to the Utah Geological Survey, which provides information on the state’s geologic environment, resources, and hazards.
Walton has taken to his public social media channels to question D.C.'s ability to properly maintain the integrity of Utah's lands. He has publicly stated that reinstituting “federal land transfers to states” is a top priority for his campaign.
In addition to federal land issues, he has said he wants to support Utah Sen. Mike Lee’s policies. These include the REINS Act, which would require Congress to approve rules passed by executive agencies, giving more people a voice, as well as his Balanced Budget Amendment, which would force Congress to balance its budget each year.
In addition to Walton, the crowded race includes Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs, Rep. John Curtis, former Sen. Mike Lee staffer Carolyn Phippen, and former Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives Brad Wilson.
Candidates can make it onto Utah’s Republican primary ballot on June 25 by either winning at the Utah State Republican Convention on April 22nd or by gathering 28,000 signatures. Walton has already gathered 21,421 certified signatures, as shared by the state’s voting website, and he also plans to use the convention route.