I was born in Logan and raised by politically engaged parents in North Ogden. I studied English and Political Science at BYU. After graduating, summa cum laude, and serving a mission in Guatemala, I worked with Senator Hatch for two years in Washington, D.C., responding to constituent concerns. I then earned an M.A. in Political Science and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior at UCLA. My dissertation research focused on conflict management in global virtual teams, where I studied more effective ways of handling conflict in complex situations.
My husband and I moved to Fruit Heights sixteen years ago. We have three children, all now teenagers. In addition to managing things at home while the kids were young, I’ve been active in our community, schools, and church. This combination of political, academic, and regular-life experience means I can hold my own in the legislature, while representing the everyday perspectives of citizens in our community.
Dear Fellow Utahn,
My name is Kimberly Wagner, and I would like to be your next State Senator.
In my first email, I mentioned being a member of the Utah United Party. Many of you asked what that means. So, here’s a quick introduction.
What draws me to this party over either established party is the focus on how representative government should operate. To me, the current two-party system fails the public interest. The parties bundle ideologies together and expect voters to swallow it whole. They solicit and accept vast amounts of money to fund the operation.
In contrast, the UUP is for good government, pure and simple. Its platform states: :
The United Utah Party is focused on good government – the process by which our laws are made and executed. We believe that good government requires transparency, fairness, and a robust and civil debate. We believe that public policy should ultimately reflect the will of the people. Public servants must act with integrity and according to their oaths of office.
I would not ask you to leave your party or betray your own beliefs. What I do want is for us to meet the ideals of our American democratic republic. To me, that means that every so often, when neither major party truly represents us, we should exercise our right as voters to correct the system.
As always, I would like the opportunity to meet you. I can be reached by phone at 801-923-4151 and welcome your call.
Warm regards,
Kimberly
Dear Fellow Utahn,
Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Kimberly Wagner, and I hope to represent you in the Utah State Senate.
Here’s my question. Do you think a baby born today will be able to afford a home in your neighborhood in 20 or 30 years?
Here’s why I’m asking. If homes are already expensive and out of reach for many, what should we do to help the next generation? Too many newsmakers and lawmakers are quick to hand us simplistic explanations (e.g., It’s Biden’s fault! It’s Trump’s fault!) rather than truthful answers and well-thought-out solutions.
I could also have asked, will kids born today grow up to have a Great Salt Lake? Will they have an education that prepares them to thrive in a changing economy? Will they know liberty and opportunity? The future isn’t cast; the answers lie in what we do now.
This is why I decided to jump into the race for state senate. I’m a mini-van driving mom with a PhD in business. I admit freely that I don’t have all the answers. What I offer you is the determination to bring together and listen to stakeholders and experts in order to find sensible solutions that are based on common ground.
People from across the political spectrum say they’re ready for a moderate, principled, approach to lawmaking. I ask questions and listen with an open mind. I’ll use this approach to tackle the pressing issues affecting both current and future generations of Utahns.
If we haven’t met yet, I’d like to do so. You can find upcoming events on my website, VoteKimberlyWagner.com, along with my background and policy priorities. I’m also available to talk by phone at 801-923-4151 and welcome your call.
Warm regards,
Kimberly
Paid for by the Campaign to Elect Kimberly Wagner