Jim Nielson is running as the Republican in House District 19. His opponents are Richard Watson (D) and Reldon C. White (C). This is an open seat with no incumbent but was previously held by Sheryl Allen (R).
His website is www.jim4utah.com ,his Facebook fan page can be found by clicking here, and no Twitter account was provided. He can be reached via email at jim@jim4utah.com.
Here are Jim’s answers to my absurd questions:
1) How long have you lived in your district and what made you move there in the first place? Over eighteen years. After graduate school I looked in many parts of the country and found my best opportunity in Salt Lake City. We ultimately located in Bountiful because it seemed like the best place for our family within a reasonable distance of downtown Salt Lake City.
2) What does your family look like (married; kids; pets)? With the exception of me, they are very good looking. Oh, and I have been married for just over 25 years. We have five children. No pets other than a gerbil.
3) What do you drive? What is your dream vehicle? I drive a very sensible Ford Fusion. It does have low profile tires and a spoiler to help keep the tail down when I’m going over 150. Seriously, my dream ride would be anything that would be capable of causing such a concern. The new 2011 Mercedes SLS AMG comes to mind.
4) What was the last book you finished? It was either Les Miserables or Eats, Shoots, and Leaves.
5) What is your favorite store and/or restaurant in your district? Definitely The Mandarin Restaurant.
6) Turn your head to the right, what do you see? An abstract work of art made out of shapes of brightly colored cut paper and marker created by one of my children in early elementary school.
7) In 25 words or less, explain why you are a Republican. I am a Republican because I am convinced that individuals acting in their own self-interest will tend to outperform collective action based on centralized decision making.
8) Who would win if a bear and a shark fought each other (feel free to explain)? The shark will definitely win. Given time, bears give way to bull markets. From that I conclude that bears don’t have the staying power to win a serious fight.
9) In 50 words or less, explain why you want to be a public servant. I was raised to believe that public service was an honorable thing, strange as that may sound. This may seem old fashioned, but I think it’s my duty to serve if I am able. If elected, my main goal will be to preserve and defend the things that make my community and our state the best place for families.
10) What was the last cultural event you went to? The Utah Symphony/Mormon Tabernacle Choir concert at Deer Valley.
11) What are the three things you plan to fight for when elected? 1. The Family 2. Education 3. Economic Development.
12) Do you know what OMGWTFBBQ stands for? I get about two-thirds of the way through, and that’s where I stop.
13) What is the most important amendment in the Bill of Rights? I’m temped to say the Tenth, but I’ll go with the First.
14) What is your favorite band? Billy Joel.
15) If you could change one thing about your district, what would it be? If I could wave a magic wand and change one thing, I would build up downtown Bountiful and make it more of a destination for workers, shoppers, and residents.
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