Mike Kennedy, the Republican candidate in the 3rd Congressional District, sees dysfunction in Washington, D.C.
Kennedy calls it “one of the most pressing issues impacting all Utahns, including those in Park City and Summit County.”
“Rather than providing real solutions to make life more affordable or to secure our border, many in Congress are too focused on partisan squabbling and pointing fingers. This inaction directly impacts our families who are struggling to make ends meet in the face of inflation and high living costs, and it leaves our borders wide open,” he said in prepared answers in response to a Park Record inquiry about the campaign.
Kennedy added: “As a first-generation American, I understand the value of opportunity and the importance of a secure and prosperous nation. One of my top priorities is securing the border and fixing our broken immigration system. The impacts of unchecked immigration affect every community, creating pressure on resources and affecting local economies. I believe in strong, enforceable border policies that prioritize the safety and economic stability of American families.”
Kennedy, 55, lives in Alpine and is a member of the state Senate. He previously served in the state House of Representatives. Kennedy is a physician and an attorney. His Democratic opponent is Glenn Wright, a Park City resident who is a former member of the Summit County Council and former leader of the Democrats in the county.
Kennedy said a priority would be “tackling the national debt and rampant inflation, largely fueled by reckless federal spending.”
“COVID-era policies only worsened an already strained system, and now we’re all paying the price. Without addressing this debt, our financial future — and that of our children and grandchildren — is at risk. I’m committed to working on real fiscal reform that reduces our deficit without punishing taxpayers,” he said.
Kennedy outlined a platform that addresses energy production as well as the environment.
“We all want clean air and water, and I believe we can achieve this while responsibly using our abundant energy resources. Utah, including our friends in the Uintah Basin, know how to produce energy from coal, oil and natural gas in ways that are both clean and efficient. This energy strengthens our economy and independence without causing significant harm to the climate. I support an all-of-the-above approach, combining traditional resources with wind, solar and nuclear,” he said.
Kennedy also said: “The current climate narrative often feels overstated and is used to push products like electric vehicles on Americans. However, it’s not the government’s role to reshape the economy for an ideological goal focused solely on EVs, solar and wind.”
The candidate said a Donald Trump win on Election Day would assist with international conflicts, saying a victory by the former president would bring “strong leadership to the White House to help end these conflicts.”
“In the Middle East, I stand firmly with Israel as they defend their citizens against the brutal attacks from the terrorist group Hamas. It’s tragic to see innocent lives lost, and while Israel has every right to secure its people, peace must be the ultimate goal,” he said. “In Ukraine, the people have the right to defend their sovereignty, but Europe needs to take a greater role in this conflict. It’s in their own region, and our resources are limited. With our national debt set to fly by $36 trillion, we must balance supporting our allies with being fiscally responsible.”
Kennedy argued the “national economy is struggling” and said “out-of-control federal spending and high inflation are squeezing families and businesses.”
“We have families putting basic necessities on credit cards and struggling to make ends meet. We need a sharp turn toward fiscal responsibility, cutting wasteful spending, and strengthening our economy, much like we have done in Utah where we balance our budget and have delivered over $1 billion in tax relief while making historic investments in education,” he said.
Kennedy said he wants to “identify areas to eliminate excessive regulations that stifle growth in the hospitality and service industries” as he addressed the tourism-based economy of Park City.
“Small businesses are the backbone of tourism here, and they deserve the freedom to operate efficiently and competitively. By slashing red tape, we can empower Park City’s businesses and businesses across Utah and America to create jobs, and drive economic growth,” he said.