Parker Bond, candidate for Utah State Senate District 19

My name is Parker Bond, and I'm running for Senate District 19. I'm a lifelong resident of Utah. I graduated from Hillcrest High School in 2005, Utah State University in 2011, and currently work remotely as a software developer. While always an avid voter, I started becoming more involved in politics during and after the 2016 election, and am worried about the assault on our institutions and American ideals, especially on our public education system.

I strongly disagree with many of the bills Sen. Cullimore has backed, especially with his attempt to take money from public schools so a few lucky children can pay less to attend private school. When I lived in Chile on a religious service mission I saw firsthand the problems of having a patchwork of private schools with many children having to choose between going to a school close to them or traveling across the city to attend one that was cheaper or had better outcomes. My mother is a Kindergarten teacher in Canyon's school district and I've seen firsthand the long hours and hard work she puts in to ensure all of her students get the help they need to succeed.

I was also disappointed to see that the independent redistricting commission maps were discarded in favor of a partisan map that breaks up many communities. I believe that voters should choose their politicians, and not the other way around.

I hope to have your support to ensure our leaders don't think they can do whatever they like and still get reelected.