When the re-districting ended in the Legislature, newly aligned House District 29 became a straddle district – being almost evenly split between South Box-Elder and Northwest Weber Counties as far as population and geography. The new district pits incumbent Representative Brad Galvez against incumbent Representative Lee Perry.
In a report put out by the Utah Legislative Ratings, (http://utleg.blogspot.com/), Representative Galvez was rated 82% Conservative compared to 67% for Representative Perry. Differences are also shown in their philosophies of making decisions. Representative Perry says he considers what the majority wants as he represents the people (More Democratic and representative type of legislating) while Representative Galvez listens and then decides (More Republican and representative type of legislating).
Rep. Galvez says he believes in limited, absolutely fiscally responsible government, and says that the Constitution is important to him. He has sponsored sound money legislation based upon constitutional rights afforded to the states. Lynda Pipkin of North Ogden says she appreciates that Rep. Galvez voted for proposed Constitutional legislation to restrict policemen in setting up driver’s checkpoints because it begins to encroach upon a citizen’s rights. She says these checkpoints allow law enforcement agencies to stop and question people without any probable cause, which violates our 4th amendment rights guaranteed by the Constitution. Rep. Perry voted against the proposed Constitutional checkpoint legislation, stating that if checkpoint stops in general are not Constitutional, then the entire checkpoint procedure should be eliminated – not just further restricting the procedure as the proposed legislation would have done. He says he believes the Constitution is inspired.
Both men have served one term in the Utah House, and are widely viewed as respectable, good men. Rep. Galvez has been married to Lisa for 28 years and has 4 children and 4 grandchildren, and Rep. Perry has been married to Kathy for 23 years and has 4 children. Rep. Galvez has been a businessman (commercial real estate and economic development) throughout his career, while Rep. Perry has been a law enforcement officer, although he started out in business. Both have served in the same church.
