Candidates for Office

The following candidates have agreed with all areas of the Davis County Republican Party Platform

State Senate District 5
Jill Koford

Jill Koford
State Senate District 5
Email: Jill@votekoford.com
Phone: 385-244-0170
A proud lifelong resident of Weber County, Jill Koford is a graduate of both Weber High and Weber State University and holds a Master of Teaching from the University of Southern California.
She was elected to the Utah House in 2024 and serves on the Natural Resources and Revenue and Taxation Committees and as Vice Chair of Higher Ed Appropriations. Jill believes in small government, limited taxes, and individual liberty, and is working to scale back government and put more decisions in the hands of individuals and families. Jill believes in the promise of the American Dream and that together we can innovate to solve the most pressing issues facing Utahns.
Jill believes in communicating often with voters through email, town halls, advisory boards, and social media. Jill truly believes that your voice matters, and she wants to hear from you.
State Senate District 6
Tami Tran

Tami Tran
State Senate District 6
Email: vote4tami@gmail.com
Phone: 801 499-2379
Mayor of Kaysville
Elected in 2021 and Re-elected in 2025, Tami Tran is a trusted leader, committed community advocate, and proud Kaysville resident. As Mayor (current term: 2022-2025, with re-election extending service beyond), she has strengthened partnerships across Davis County, prioritized public safety, championed economic development, and fostered transparency and collaboration at City Hall.

Her Story: A Life Built on Hard Work, Opportunity, and Purpose
Tami’s journey began in Seoul, Korea. Adopted and naturalized as a U.S. citizen in 1979, she grew up in Utah, learning the values of family, faith, and resilience from an early age.
While studying Political Science at Brigham Young University, she started in mortgage lending, gaining lessons in trust, integrity, and financial management. This foundation led to a career in commercial development and entrepreneurship. In 2004, she co-founded an Aerospace and Defense contracting company, where she serves as CEO and President.
Robert Wanlass

Robert Wanlass
State Senate District 6
Email: wanlass4senate@gmail.com
Phone: 801 719-8033
I’m a proud Davis county resident of 27 years. I have BA in accounting from U of U and a MBA from Weber State.
I founded, owned and operated Red Dot Firearms in Layton for 11 years.
Proud father of 4 children, 2 with special needs.
Constitutional conservative dedicated to minimum government and maximum freedom.
Not a politician just a regular guy that felt like I needed to get involved to help Utah restore its Conservative heritage.
Believer in the Caucus/Convention system.
State Senate District 7
Braden Hess

Braden Hess
State Senate District 7
Email: 12blhess@gmail.com
Phone: 801 458-4569
I am a husband, father, business owner, and constitutional & estate planning attorney. I worked for the Legislature as an attorney and intern. I know exactly how the process works, so I won’t need to spend precious time learning how to get the job done. I will hit the ground running immediately for our district.
Utah deserves principled leadership focused on the people, defending our liberty, and the Constitution.
Here is my plan: vigorously vet judicial appointees (arguably the Senate’s most important job), lower and reform taxes, defend federalism & separation of powers, and cut unnecessary regulations & spending.
This convention-only campaign faces a powerful, well-funded opponent, so I need your help. We need to hold our leaders accountable & to high ethical standards. It’s time for change.
Please call or text me anytime. I would love to speak with you about the issues, tell you more about myself, or answer any questions.

Vote HESS!
Honest, Transparent, Principled
Stephanie Hollist

Stephanie Hollist
State Senate District 7
Email: stephaniehollist@gmail.com
Phone: 801 638-6010
Stephanie Hollist is a Utah attorney, policy leader, and longtime Davis County resident who believes government works best when it listens first and solves problems with care, competence, and integrity.

For more than 20 years, Stephanie has worked at the intersection of law, policy, and public service. She has served as in-house counsel in higher education, including many years at Weber State University, where she advised leadership on complex legal, governance, and policy matters affecting students, faculty, and the broader community. In that role, she was known for bringing people together, grounding decisions in data and law, and crafting practical solutions that met real-world needs.

Stephanie currently serves as General Counsel for a multi-state heavy-machinery company, where she works on business operations, compliance, contracts, and risk management—experience that gives her a strong understanding of how state policy affects employers, workers, and local economies.
Jennifer Garner

Jennifer Garner
State Senate District 7
Email: votejengarner@gmail.com
Phone: 801-513-8488
Jennifer Garner is running for Utah State Senate because she believes everyday Utah families deserve a leader willing to stand up to powerful political insiders and restore constitutional principles. Jennifer isn’t backed by political machines or special interests. She’s backed by Utah families who feel the impact of rising costs, expanding government, and legislation that drifts away from constitutional limits. As a mother of three sons, Jennifer sees how recent decisions at the Capitol are shaping the future—and she knows it’s time for a course correction. Jennifer holds a Masters in Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. She teaches financial literacy, helping students plan responsibly and avoid unnecessary debt—skills government should model as well. Earlier in her career, Jennifer worked directly with families facing intergenerational poverty, disabilities, addiction, and/or homelessness. That experience revealed what works and what wastes taxpayer dollars, strengthening her belief in limited, accountable, yet compassionate government. Jennifer is currently serving her second term on the Utah Republican Party State Central Committee. The opportunity has been invaluable to finding meaningful solutions derived from research and healthy debate.
State School Board District 4
Gary Widders

Gary Widders
State School Board District 4
Email: www_widders_com@yahoo.com
Phone: 801-332-9433
Gary Widders believes in more teachers. However, supervisors and administrators as a ratio have increased 400% over historic norms driving high taxes onto property owners. Irresponsible government spending on excessive employees, wants vs. needs, and the county’s self-approved hari-kari increases in government salaries creates inflation! School boards, party to the unions, make no concessions and the Commissioners sign-off on it every year. If Utah public education was a company it would be out of business, and why they do not want competition. Changes including less overhead are needed. Gary earned his bachelor’s degree (summa cum laude) in operations management from Excelsior University, and has achieved AAS degrees in avionic systems, information technology (distinguished graduate), and transportation. With 20+ years in leadership, volunteerism (community, church, and country), and as a lifetime Republican he is ready to represent us, Gary Widders for State School Board, district 4.