Olene Walker

Also see Olene Walker's answers to an April questionnaire on the top issues

Birth date: November 15, 1930
Birthplace:  Ogden, UT
Current city of residence: Salt Lake City
Family members: Husband: Myron; Children: Stephen, David, Bryan, Lori (Waltman) Mylene (Fairclough), Nena (Slighting) and Tom
Education: Bachelor’s in Political Science from Brigham Young University; Master’s in Political Theory from Stanford University; Doctorate in Education Administration from University of Utah
Current occupation: Governor of Utah
Hobbies/Interests: Community service, golf, skiing, spending time and playing games with family and reading.

Using 150 to 200 words, please state your reasons for running for governor. What compels you to take on this tremendous responsibility?

I have a vision for Utah families and our state’s future and I want to make that vision a reality. I have thoroughly enjoyed serving as Utah’s Governor, but I’ve only just begun.   There is much work to be done and I am excited to do it. We must grow quality jobs, improve education, and protect our families.  This includes ensuring safe homes and communities, and preparing our children for the future.  Protecting the state’s interest in public lands and promoting air quality are also part of the plan to improve Utah, today and tomorrow.  I know how to get things done and no one will work harder or smarter.  I am a responsible, common sense leader who does the right things for the right reasons, regardless of politics.  I am running because I want to preserve for my children and grandchildren a sense of community, economic opportunities, educational advancement, and the great beauty of our state.

As a candidate for governor, what are your key campaign messages?

Olene Walker Works for Utah Families!  Whether working for jobs, responsible spending, education or our public lands, the core of my efforts stem back to the family.

Jobs:  The stability and strength of Utah families depends on the economic security provided by good-paying jobs. I will work to:

• Increase the number and quality of jobs.
• Maintain a business-friendly environment.
• Attract new business to Utah and promote Utah products to outside markets.
• Strengthen the partnership between Utah businesses and our colleges and universities to develop new technology, research and jobs.
• Aggressively protect Hill Air Force Base.

Responsible Spending:  A conservative, realistic state budget offers a sound foundation for generations to come.  I will work to:

• Keep our AAA bond rating (the highest credit rating available to state government).
• Keep Utah government spending within its means and maximize the impact of every dollar.
• Set aside reserves like the Rainy Day Fund to ensure that we have sufficient resources to meet our basic obligations in times of need.

Education: Maintaining quality education in our state is essential. It is the basis for our children’s future prosperity. I will work to:

• Ensure that each child has the basic skills needed to succeed.
• Continue the ¯Read with a Child” initiative and work to improve competency-based performance in writing and arithmetic.
• Require the efficient use of education dollars.
• Maximize opportunities for higher education and job training.

Public lands:  Utahns feel strongly about protecting the state’s interest in public lands in order to protect and preserve Utah’s beauty for future generations to enjoy. I will work to:

• Prevent Utah from becoming the dumping ground for high-level waste.
• Protect our watersheds and promote air quality.
• Resolve public land issues by bringing together diverse interests at the local level.

What do you consider the top three issues currently facing Utah? Place them in order of priority to you and your candidacy and explain why they are important to you and to Utah. 

Jobs - The stability and strength of Utah families depends on the economic security provided by good-paying jobs. Utah has a legacy of industry, and I plan to contribute to that legacy by working hard to increase opportunities for occupational progression. This is key to the development of both the individual as well as industry. Increasing the number and quality of jobs benefits schools, families and enhances community development. Tackling this issue will be a great benefit to Utah families and business.  

Education - Maintaining quality education in our state is essential.  Cultivating and encouraging Utahns to reach their potential is the key to both individual growth and community strength. Developing core competencies, such as reading, writing and math in our youth will provide Utah children a solid foundation for future lifelong learning.  This educational foundation is the basis of future individual and collective prosperity.

Responsible state spending - A conservative, realistic state budget offers a solid foundation for generations to come.  Building a financial reserve is a proven principle.   The past two years Utah has drawn on the Rainy Day Fund, which I helped create, to help alleviate additional tax burdens in times of economic downturn.  Keeping state spending within its means is a priority and a way to provide additional financial security to Utahns.

What are your most important business or political accomplishments?  How would these help you be a more effective governor?

1) Creator of the rainy day fund.  This project was implemented during my time serving as a state legislator.  This project has helped Utah remain the best managed state in the nation during the economic downturn. Basing political decisions on sound principles will bring economic benefits and peace of mind to Utahns.

2) Read with a Child.  My commitment to education has only grown and is proven with the “Read with a Child” initiative currently underway in schools and homes across Utah. I also secured $30 million for school districts to use toward developing strong reading skills in students.  Between kindergarten and third grade, students learn to read.  After third grade they read to learn. If children cannot read, they will face difficult challenges their entire lives. It is critical we ensure they have the basic skills to succeed.

3) CHIP.  During my time leading the Healthcare Reform Task Force, the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) was established.  This program continues to benefit thousands of Utah children each year.  Today, when health care is a real concern for Utah’s working families, affordable health insurance provides both medical coverage and more importantly, peace of mind.

4) Work Force Task Force Chair.  Changed the face of Utah’s welfare program into one that provides temporary assistance and focuses on getting the person back to work. I also consolidated 26 different programs in multiple agencies into one.

5) Vice President of Country Crisp Foods.  As vice president of our family’s company, we grew our business from 17 employees to 1,000 employees.  I know the work required and skills involved in operating and growing a business.

What are your most important civic or community accomplishments or involvements? How would these help you be a more effective governor?

1) Educational Activist/Proponent.  I established one of the first education foundations in the Salt Lake School District.  These foundations soon spread to each of the school districts providing needed funding to supplement and increase per student spending in the state.  This was only the beginning of my commitment to ensure quality education in the state.  I’ve been at the grass roots level of education, from helping in the classrooms when my children were in school, to serving as PTA president both locally and regionally. And I have a PhD in Education Administration.

2) Family.  My husband and I are celebrating 50 years of marriage.  I have a happy and successful family. We are each other’s strength and support.  My husband and children have taught me much about myself and about life.  They are my highest priority and greatest accomplishment. It is essential that we protect Utah families and promote their successes because they are our foundation. 

What skills, talents, and strengths do you have that enhance your ability to be an effective Governor?

My greatest strength is my commitment to work for Utah families.  I was raised on a farm in Ogden where my mother taught school and my father was a school district superintendent.  We learned to work together to get things done and we did.  I know how to get things done in Utah and have a proven record of leadership.  I am an effective problem solver and I believe in doing the right thing for the right reason, regardless of politics.  I have the vision for Utah families and the experience to make it reality. 

Why do you belong to your political Party?  Why is your party the right one to lead Utah at this time?

As co-author of Utah’s Republican Party platform, I agree with and support the principles that the Party embraces. Limited government, industry, fiscal responsibility, security and family are important to me personally, to my family and to the state. I feel strongly enough about the party values that I chaired the Utah Republican platform committee three times and chaired the National Republican Party’s platform committee on individual rights. These values are what I believe Utah needs at this time.