Pater Clemens.

1. Please describe your background and what has prepared you to serve in the elected office you seek?

We need a doctor in the State Senate, that's why I stepped up to run. This is a community wide conversation in people's living rooms and at their kitchen tables where I'm listening to what folks want changed. Having run a small business, like a lot of Doctors, I also think we deserve a State Senator that takes constituent relations in a serious and active way. A physician's career represents an institutional knowledge of how healthcare policy works in the real world. People are looking to our elected leaders for a little more common sense legislation.

2. Earlier this year the Utah Legislature approved S.B. 64, a measure that ties teachers' compensation to their students' performance. Do you support that concept, why or why not? Also, do you feel that the Legislature does or does not do enough to support funding for education?

In concept it could create more motivation for a teacher to try hard but we've already seen how that movie ends. Most people I know who got into teaching would scoff at the idea as much as I would if it was implied I would practice better medicine on someone for more money.

3. Do you believe state agencies are too lax or too stringent about enforcing air and water quality standards? If elected would you advocate more or less regulation of industrial emissions?

Way too lax. There's money in clean energy, Utah needs to lead-out with this issue. My patients who come in with asthma appreciate the health effects of clean air.

4. The Utah Legislature has tried to address ethics reform, including measures to ensure lawmakers are not unduly influenced by contributors. Do you think those efforts have been adequate or do you think additional ethics reform is necessary? Also, what is your personal policy regarding campaign contributions?

Frankly, I don't have enough experience with campaign contributions because this is a grassroots campaign. I will be massively outspent by my opponent so I may have a well formed opinion after the election, we'll see. This campaign is funded by people who want to invest in something bigger then themselves on the neighborhood level. We're making a promise to actively communicate policy options and address constituent needs with everyone in the district.

5. Last year, lawmakers passed House Bill 363, a Health Education Amendment that would have severely curtailed what could be taught in sex education classes. The bill was eventually vetoed by the governor. Some said the bill was representative of a trend toward more values-oriented legislation. Do you think that is a fair characterization and, if so, is that an appropriate role for state lawmakers?

Having a Physician, or two, at the table from the onset of a bills authorship would give a different perspective. As a father of five daughters I can relate to a lot of those situations.

6. In its last session the Utah Legislature passed H.B. 148, the Transfer of Public Lands Act, which demands the transfer of about 20 million acres of federally owned land to the state. That land could then be sold or leased for commercial uses. Do you support or oppose that bill and why?

Oppose. Our wilderness is a global tourism attraction and major part of the economy.

7. Like many states, Utah has tried its hand at enacting its own immigration laws. In recent years, lawmakers have passed (and then rescinded) in-state college tuition discounts for undocumented students who attended high school in the state. They have offered and then discontinued driver permits and have debated legislation that would give local law enforcement officers the ability to determine a person's immigration status. Where do you stand on those specific issues?

I support the Utahn compact as a starting point for immigration reform.

8. Please differentiate your platform from that of your opponent.

I'm an independent voice of common sense reason and problem solving. He's an overwhelmingly partisan long-time incumbent politician. My policy comprehension is broad and well-researched, you can call my cell phone.