RaDene Hatfield RaDene Hatfield

Utah State Senate · District 16

Our country’s Founding Fathers designed a collaborative legislative process. Citizens elect other citizens as representatives who are entrusted with the charge to consider and weigh competing interests. The best legislators understand this. That’s why the best candidates run on a commitment to principles rather than run to support a specific legislative agenda. Below are the three principles that are most important to me in this campaign. These guiding principles will direct how I vote on the issues as a Utah Senator.

Accountability

I’m running to serve Provo’s neighborhoods. By definition, service benefits others. I believe that once individuals benefit more from their actions than those they serve, it can no longer be called service. Service requires active listening and accountability. I’ve been listening and I’ll keep listening. I’ll be accountable for the way I serve and campaign.

I will support accountability by working for ethics reform, improved lobbyist gift disclosure requirements and greater transparency in campaign finances. These reforms may eventually come in the form of legislation, but they begin with me in my desire to set an example and raise the ethical standards of Utah elections. You can learn more about my campaign financing philosophy and a specific challenge I have issued to my opponent here.

Education is a priority

Everyone says they support education, but I mean it. Twenty years and thousands of unpaid volunteer service hours and collaborative leadership in our schools and community illustrate my commitment. As a parent volunteer I have organized efforts that raised over $100,000 to improve the education of students throughout Provo District. I will enter the Senate with this same commitment to prepare our children to succeed educationally.

As a parent volunteer I helped rally the resources to put in an Accelerated Reading Lab at Edgemont Elementary. For several years I organized the parent volunteers to staff the lab. Here I am on a recent visit to the AR Lab—my legacy at Edgemont continues.

Strong Values

The principles instilled in me as a native Utahn with deep pioneer roots will guide my approach to every issue. I reverence the values and principles that make our community great, including hard work, self-reliance, and strong families. I have been a Utah Democrat for 28 years and have been married to a Republican for almost all of that time. I am not new to highly successful bi-partisan relationships. As you vote, consider my values, your values and my ardent desire to listen and serve Provo’s neighborhoods in Utah’s Senate.

Utah County Democrat Platform

I am an independent person and will ultimately be accountable to you, but I generally support the principles and positions outlined in the Utah County Democrat Platform. You can read this platform here. You may be genuinely surprised at how much you support this platform too.

These three principles, Accountability, Education, and Strong Values are the most important to me in this campaign. But don’t think for a minute that I don’t have opinions or ideas about a wide range of issues including…

  • Innovative Transportation Solutions: Quality roads and commuter rail in Utah County are important It’s about more than hassle free commutes. It’s about getting home safely, breathing clean air and saving money on gasoline.
  • On Immigration: Like you, I’m frustrated with Congress’ inability to deal with this issue. Because of Congressional failures, I believe our state has a role in the issue. I believe we can find balance between the rules of law and compassion as we cautiously seek to understand the impact different reforms may have on our economy, schools and overall well-being of our citizens.
  • Economic Prosperity: I’m committed to the principles of a free market economy, keeping taxes low and using state funds wisely, conservatively and effectively. That means I will continue the legislature's commitment to balancing the budget and maintaining a rainy-day fund.
  • Patient-Centered Healthcare Reform: On this issue, more than any other, collaboration is essential. I will work with all the relevant parties in search of a patient centered solution that will emphasis quality, affordability and choice in our healthcare system.

If you have a specific question or concerns about an issue, please contact me here and we can begin the collaborative process that produces the best type of solutions.