Dave Parke

Dave Parke was born in Ogden, Utah. He earned a high school diploma from Weber High School, an associate degree from Weber State University in 1987, a bachelor's degree from Southern Utah University in 1990, and a graduate degree from the University of Phoenix in 1997. His career experience includes working as a healthcare executive. He has been affiliated with the Home Care & Hospice Association of Utah (HHAU).[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Dave Parke was born in Ogden, Utah. He earned a high school diploma from Weber High School, an associate degree from Weber State University in 1987, a bachelor's degree from Southern Utah University in 1990, and a graduate degree from the University of Phoenix in 1997. His career experience includes working as a healthcare executive. He has been affiliated with the Home Care & Hospice Association of Utah (HHAU) for 15 years and is the incoming HHAU President.

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?

Reducing Unneeded Government Regulations:

I am committed to cutting through unnecessary red tape that hampers our businesses and stifles economic growth. Let's streamline regulations to foster a business-friendly environment, promoting innovation, and empowering entrepreneurs to thrive.Inflation

Over the past few years, West Valley City has felt the blow of inflation. Prices have gone up. Groceries, gas, and housing all cost more, and for a lot of families, it feels like doing everything right still isn’t enough to get by.

West Valley City deserves leadership that understands these pressures firsthand and stays focused on common-sense solutions. That means being responsible with taxpayer dollars, cutting unnecessary red tape, and making sure policies put more money back into the pockets of hardworking individuals and businesses in our community.Affordable Housing for Local Families:

Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in their hometown and raise their own family. I will champion policies that promote affordable housing, ensuring that our community remains a place where generations can thrive.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

West Valley City is the second-largest city in Utah, but too often, it feels like we’re treated as an afterthought. I don’t think that’s right. Representation here matters. It means earning trust across our whole community, listening first, and bringing people together around common-sense solutions

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

With an MBA in Organizational Business Management, Dave Parke has spent 35 years working in executive leadership positions for several Fortune 500 companies. In 2010, a personal experience seeking care for a family member turned Dave to opening Home Instead, a senior in-home care franchise. Over the past 14 years, his business has created over 2,000 jobs and has provided essential in-home care for thousands more.

Despite his professional success, Dave’s heart has always been intently focused on Utah and its local politics. As a fiscal conservative with pragmatic mainstream social leanings, he understands that just as our world is changing, the need to preserve the values that have made our great state is as important as ever. He brings a unique perspective as a resident of over 30 years in West Valley City, the 2nd largest and most diverse city in Utah. He recognizes that the district's multicultural population has diverse needs and he has a unique desire to contribute to the community.

Born in Ogden to a large family of nine siblings, Dave has been a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Having served a mission in Concepcion, Chile during the reign of Pinochet, Dave experienced firsthand what a dictatorial government can do to a nation.

After attended Weber State University and completed two bachelor’s degrees I Business and Foreign Languages (Spanish). He later earned his MBA at the University of Phoenix.

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?

1.

Tax Reduction:

Milton Friedman's wisdom guides my approach to taxes: "I am in favor of cutting taxes under any circumstances and for any excuse." I will champion policies that reduce the burden of taxes, allowing individuals and businesses to keep more of their hard-earned money.

Working with fellow law makers, Dave will introduce and support legislation aimed at lowering taxes, including removing the state tax on food or eliminating the state income tax.2.

Reduce Unneeded Government Regulations:

Dave is committed to cutting through unnecessary red tape that hampers business and stifles economic growth. Regulations should focus on fostering business-friendly environment, promote innovation and empower entrepreneurs to thrive.

Dave will collaborate with business leaders and experts to conduct a thorough review of existing regulations. Thorough legislative efforts, will identify and eliminate regulations that pose unnecessary obstacles to businesses, ensuring a regulatory environment that encourages growth while maintaining essential protections.3. Affordable Housing for Local Families:

The population growth in Utah is among the strongest in the nation. Every child in Utah deserves the opportunity to grow up in their hometown and raise their own family. Dave will champion policies that promote affordable housing, ensuring that our community remains a place where generations can thrive.

Dave will advocate for policies that incentivize the development of affordable housing, such as tax credits for builders and streamlined regulations for housing projects. Additionally, he will work with community stakeholders to explore public-private partnerships that address the unique housing needs of West Valley City.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education Reform and Access:

I believe in providing quality education for all children, regardless of their background or zip code. I will advocate for policies that support our schools, empower teachers, and expand access to educational resources, giving every child the chance to succeed.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My father. He worked and worked and worked. I've never known someone who worked harder than he did. Not only at his business, but he was a dignified church leader and for 12 years he was an elected member of the local school board. He was board president for several years.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Any elected official must demonstrate a selfless commitment to service and demonstrate moral integrity. At the same time an elected official must understand the role of community, state and national governments. All legislation must support the constructs of the Constitution of the United States, as well as state and local charters and that govern our communities.

While understanding that our nation is a republic, where elected officials are in place to make decisions for the public, an elected official must keep the needs and concerns of their constituents in mind as decisions are made.

Our nation was founded on contrasting opinions and differing view points. The discord in our nation today however, is alarming. Elected officials have the obligation to demonstrate the ability to disagree with those of differing opinions with integrity and respect. Elected officials must focus on issues, not personal attacks and character assassination.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Hard work, tenacious, how to work with people. Perhaps the best leadership trait I poses is and how to listen and understand people and opposing viewpoints, before acting.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Elected officials are responsible to represent their constituents’ needs above their own interests.

What legacy would you like to leave?

A legacy of integrity and a commitment to making my part of the world a better place by inspiring others.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

When I was 16, our family business was threatened by a union strike, my aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters all joined together to keep the business open. We butchered cattle, cut stakes, ground hamburger and delivered product to stores, restaurants etc. I drove a delivery truck during the mornings, and each evening I ran ground beef patty machines. After 2 weeks, the strike ended and the union did not win. I learned hard work, pulling together at all costs.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

As a young man, 10-11 yrs old, I worked full time on my family's feed lot for cattle. We owned over 4,000 cattle. In high school I worked a full time job after hours in the meat packing plant and weekends in the feedlot.

What is your favorite book? Why?

"Crucial Conversations"

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Superman, are you kidding!. He helps people, fights injustice and he FLIES!

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

15 years ago I left a lucrative career in corporate finance to start my own business. We are not in our 14th year and we employ over 100 people. The fist several years were unbelievably hard. I didn't take a paycheck for the first year. In the 14 years, I have NEVER missed a pay day for my staff, but I have personally missed a lot of paychecks myself!

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

The governor needs to listen to the issues the legislature is addressing. He/she needs to listen and seek to understand vs. trying to push their own ideas and agendas.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Access to affordable housing

Access to high quality education

Tax reduction

Transportation projects

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Past experience can be helpful, but a new perspective and background are important to drive change and minimize "business as usual" behaviors and thinking.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

Eliminate tax on food

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Education First Utah

Reagan Republicans of Utah

Office of the Governor of the state of Utah

Home Health & Hospice Association of Utah (HHAU)

Utah Association of Realtors

Utah Metal Works Inc.

KMH Consulting and Government Relations

Utah Bankers Association

Gold Cross Services Inc.

Paul Rogers and Associates

Utah Rural Telcom Association

Workers Compensation Fund (WCF) of Utah

Utah Retail Merchants Association (URMA)

Utah Food Industry Association

What committees interest you?

Tax Reduction

Education

Social Services Policy

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

I am committed to cutting through unnecessary red tape that hampers our businesses and stifles economic growth. Let's streamline regulations to foster a business-friendly environment, promoting innovation, and empowering entrepreneurs to thrive.