2024 Nominating Convention

BIO Not Provided DCRP Platform Disclosure I AGREE with ALL areas of the Platform

BIO Karen Peterson was selected by the delegates in a special election to represent House District 13 (Clearfield, Clinton, Sunset, and West Point) in December 2021. She has lived with her family in Clinton for 17 years and currently works as the Community Development Manager for Sunrise Engineering. Previously she worked as the Legislative Policy Director for Gov. Spencer Cox and as the Deputy Education Policy Advisor for Governor Gary Herbert. As a two-term member of the Clinton City Council, Karen has experience in local government and municipal policy as well as connections with many community and industry groups. She…

BIO Representative Karianne Lisonbee is the Majority Whip in the Utah House of Representatives. Her legislative efforts have spanned a range of issues, from healthcare and tax reform to educational opportunity and economic development. Representative Lisonbee passed significant legislation protecting victims and making Utah’s communities and schools safer through increasing accountability and transparency in the criminal justice system. Her efforts have been instrumental in advancing Utah’s prosperity. She is serving her 4th term representing District 14. Before her election to the legislature, Karianne served on the Syracuse City Council. Karianne earned a degree in Family Studies from Brigham Young University,…

BIO Ariel Defay, a dedicated public servant, stands as a prominent incumbent candidate for the Utah House of Representatives. A proud lifelong Republican with deep roots in Davis County, her political journey is underpinned by a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from USU and a Master’s in Public Administration. Ariel’s extensive experience in state government, combined with her successful tenure as a small business owner, equips her with a unique blend of practical insight and policy expertise. Her commitment to conservative values is unwavering, as she champions fiscal responsibility, limited government, and individual freedoms. As a respected member of her…

BIO Not Provided DCRP Platform Disclosure I AGREE with ALL areas of the Platform DCRP Candidate Questions Q. Clearly articulate your position as it relates to the Davis County Republican Constitution principles and values and how you will implement those principles and values in your decision-making. 75 words or less A.I have been a conservative republican my whole life.The best part about being in our county party is the platform. It articulates exactly what we as conservatives believe. Having the opportunity to sponsor and vote for legislation that follows the party platform is extremely important. Its principles are a guide…

BIO Stewart and his wife Marie have lived in Fruit Heights, Utah for over 20 years. They are proud parents of six children and nine grandchildren. Stewart graduated from the University of Utah with a B.S. in Psychology and from Georgetown University with a Doctorate of Medicine. He also completed a General Surgery Internship at Washington Medical Center and Residency in Otolaryngology (E.N.T.), Head and Neck Surgery at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C. He also has served a political Internship on the U.S. Senate Health Committee, Labor and Human Resources and two political Internships with the Utah State Senate….

BIO Elected to the Utah House of Representatives in 2022, Vice Chair of Infrastructure & General Government Appropriations Committee, serves on Political Subdivisions & Economic Development and Workforce Services Committees Previous served as Mayor, City Councilmember, Republican State Central Committee, State & County Delegate Husband of the fabulous Sherry Cutler, father of four (mostly) amazing kids, grandpa to 2 perfect grandkids. BS Electrical Engineering, U of U, MBA, BYU Pragmatic problem solver with strong communications skills and experience communicating in high-pressure, high-stakes situations Careful decision maker with a desire to listen and the ability to separate facts from emotions when…

BIO I have represented Bountiful in the House of Representatives since 2015 and I really enjoy it. I currently serve as House Chair of the Social Services Appropriations Committee, overseeing the health- and welfare-related programs in Utah. Important issues for me include improving health care, reducing government waste, supporting education, maintaining a favorable environment for business, keeping a healthy physical environment, carefully considering all sides of difficult issues, and communicating with constituents. I am a family physician at Cope Family Medicine/Ogden Clinic in Bountiful, where I see patients of all ages in a variety of life situations. I received an…

BIO Born and raised in Bountiful, Melissa is still a resident of the NSL/Bountiful area. As a legislator in Utah she has worked tirelessly to improve government efficiencies, develop common sense prison reforms, create conservative energy policy, and be a champion for quality education. She is the Chair of multiple legislative commissions and councils, serves on a variety community boards, and loves our great state. Melissa has a Bachelors and Master of Music in Piano Performance from the University of Utah. She recently performed in NYC Carnegie Hall with a world renown violinist, David Park. She and her husband Craig…

BIO Not Provided DCRP Platform Disclosure I AGREE with ALL areas of the Platform DCRP Candidate Questions Q. Clearly articulate your position as it relates to the Davis County Republican Constitution principles and values and how you will implement those principles and values in your decision-making. 75 words or less A. I have read through the Davis County Republican Party Constitution and Platform and agree with everything in it. As a Marine, I have sworn to defend the US Constitution and I hold that promise as a sacred obligation. As an elected official, I will continue to uphold and defend…

BIO I am proud to declare my candidacy for Davis County Commissioner. I have experience in private sector, local government, State, and Federal government. I have profound understanding of governance, a track record of success, and an unwavering dedication to the prosperity of Davis County and a commitment to Republican principles. Davis County is at a crossroads for the future. I believe the County Commission has a strong responsibly to represent the Davis County Republican Voter. Many communities throughout the USA are in a state of decay. The decisions we make today will determine if Davis County stays vibrant or…

BIO My name is Jeff Simonsen, my wife Heather and I moved to Farmington in 1998 and have loved every minute of living in Davis County. We have 3 amazing children and now have 11 wonderful grandchildren. Currently, I work as the National Director of Title Operations at Truly Title having been in the Title Insurance Industry for nearly 40 years, serving in many positions and roles at several companies. I have led many teams and have helped meet company goals and objectives by maximizing effort, reducing expenses, and increasing profitability. I am organized and have created training programs and…

BIO Davis County has been my home most of my life. I attended elementary school in Bountiful, South Davis Jr High and Woods Cross High School. I served a mission in Dublin, Ireland. After my mission, I finished my undergraduate degree at the University of Utah, later attending law school at Gonzaga University & BYU. I have lived in Woods Cross, Bountiful, Centerville, and currently reside in Layton with my sweet wife, Shannon. We have a blended family and are proud parents of 6 children & 4 grandchildren! I have practiced construction & real property law for 24 years. I…

BIO Not Provided DCRP Platform Disclosure No Disclosure Submitted to Party

BIO Matt holds a Master of Public Administration from BYU and an Economics degree from the University of Utah. He was a Registered Representative at Fidelity Investments, passing securities exams for Series 7, 63, and later 65. Matt enjoyed 15 years at Utah’s state retirement system (URS), helping thousands of public employees invest and plan for retirement. Matt joined Davis County in 2022 and currently serves as chief deputy to retiring Treasurer Mark Altom. Committed to upholding statutory requirements and standards of practice, he supports Treasurer Altom’s focus on cost-efficient property tax collection and administration. Matt’s county experience so far…