Annette McRae

Annette McRae (Utah Forward Party) is running for election to the Utah State Senate to represent District 20. McRae is on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2026. The Utah Forward Party primary for this office on June 23, 2026, was canceled.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Annette McRae, a Utah small-business owner, community advocate, and Senate candidate for District 20. I’m running because too many public decisions are being made in isolation, creating long-term risks for families, workers, and communities.

I believe government’s first responsibility is public safety — not just emergency response, but preventing avoidable harm through better planning. My work focuses on connecting transportation, housing, water, energy, and air quality so Utah can grow responsibly without exporting risk to future generations.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Public safety comes first — and planning ahead is how we protect it.

Government should prevent crises, not create them. Whether it’s traffic congestion, air quality, water shortages, or infrastructure strain, poor planning turns everyday life into unnecessary risk. I measure policy decisions by one standard: do they strengthen public safety and constitutional protections, or weaken them? Utah needs leaders willing to plan ahead instead of reacting after damage is done.Infrastructure works best when it’s planned as a connected system.

Housing, transportation, water, energy, and air quality don’t exist separately. When they’re planned together, communities become safer, more affordable, and more resilient. When they’re planned apart, families pay the price through congestion, pollution, and higher costs. I support practical, coordinated solutions — including passenger rail, water reuse, and responsible energy planning — that reduce risk instead of shifting it from one place to another.Good government sets clear rules — it doesn’t micromanage outcomes.

I believe in limited, accountable government that respects local communities, protects shared resources, and follows the Constitution. The legislature writes the rules; agencies execute them. When government oversteps, trust erodes. When it stays within its proper role, communities thrive. I’m running to restore that balance and ensure decisions are transparent, lawful, and grounded in long-term public safety.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Public safety, transportation planning, water conservation and reuse, energy reliability, air quality, housing affordability, and constitutional governance. I’m especially focused on how infrastructure decisions affect long-term risk — from traffic safety and watershed protection to grid reliability and emergency preparedness — and how smart planning today can prevent costly crises tomorrow.