File photo.
LOGAN — It’s a high-profile race that is receiving national attention. The race for U.S. Senate for Utah between incumbent candidate, Republican Senator Mike Lee and independent candidate Evan McMullin.
McMullin was a guest on KVNU’s For the People program on Thursday. One question he was asked had to do with supporting rural Utah. He said it starts with Washington beginning to care what people think in Utah.
“If we prevail in this way standing between the two parties, having that deciding vote on really every piece of legislation that goes through the Senate, it will make Utah the most influential state in the union and we’ll hear a lot every week, ‘what does Utah think?’ , that’s what the national press will ask. And with that, I know we’ll be able to do a tremendous amount of good for ourselves and for the country. Part of that is ensuring that our rural communities are thriving,” he explained.
McMullin said he thinks the way to do that is through economic diversification.
Addressing another question, he said that Social Security is a critical part of the social fabric in America. He said everyone has worked long and hard, for generations, putting money into it.
“And that doesn’t mean that we can’t do different things to make it stronger, that’s certainly something that can always be discussed. But, right now we hear ideas about making cuts or ending Social Security and including my opponent who we’ve just recently found a video of him talking to donors, pledging to them that he will end Social Security, that he’ll pull it up by its roots. And I just think that’s wrong.”
McMullin said it’s an extreme view that even most Republicans do not support. He said many want some reforms, but he thinks most Americans recognize the importance of continuing the Social Security program.
You can hear the entire interview with McMullin on our For the People podcast at kvnutalk.com