Interview: Jenny Wilson Wants to Be Utah’s Senator

“People working at the local level are indeed the people who understand how to make the federal government more responsive…”

As a fifth-generation Utahn and a current member of the Salt Lake County Council, Jenny Wilson has experience with Utah’s political situation. Now, she hopes to create change on the federal level, running as a candidate for U.S. Senate. As a Democrat in a traditionally “red state,” Ms. Wilson has frequently reached across the aisle. In this May 31st interview with Merion West’s Erich Prince, Ms. Wilson discusses finding common ground in our polarized times, her views on campaign financing, and how experience in local politics can inform decisions in Washington.

To get started, Mitt Romney and Mike Kennedy had their debate this week. Did you watch it? And if so, what are some of your reactions?

I did watch it, and, in fact, I attended it. I thought it was interesting. I think clearly both are doubling down on Trump. I think it’s very much a Republican primary as they try to reach out to the Republican voters. One of the interesting things about the debate is it felt very much like a traditional federal debate, and these are not traditional times; this is an era of disruption. And it felt a little bit hopeful to me, given the challenges we face in our communities right now.