David Robinson

David Robinson's career experience includes working as a homebuilder. He has also served as a volunteer communications director for the Salt Lake County Republican Party.[1]

David Robinson did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

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Campaign websiteRobinson's campaign website stated the following:Gondola BenBen McAdams, Secret Deals, and the GondolaEnding the Era of "Backroom" Politics: Utahns deserve a representative who works for them, not for a small circle of billionaire donors. "Gondola Ben" McAdams and his associates operated behind closed doors to orchestrate one of the priciest land and transportation "plays" in Utah history. Dave Robinson is the only candidate who has successfully taken this machine to court—and won.I. Secret Trades for Billionaire DonorsWhile serving as Chair of the Mountain Accord, Ben McAdams presided over negotiations that would have facilitated land trades benefiting his wealthy donors, involving irreplaceable federal land.A Multi-Million Dollar Handout: These secret negotiations were designed to move high-value, developable federal land into the hands of billionaire resort owners—the very same individuals who served as McAdams’ top donors.The "Hidden" Map: The Mountain Accord’s "Consensus Agreement" wasn't about conservation; it was a blueprint for resort expansion, hidden from public scrutiny.II. Proven Secrecy: "Clearly, we didn't comply."When Dave Robinson and his associates sued, the establishment’s defense crumbled.The Court Order: "Gondola Ben" claimed he didn't have to comply with the transparency laws, but 3rd District Court Judge Laura Scott officially ruled that McAdams and the Mountain Accord were subject to Utah’s Open and Public Meetings Act (OPMA).The Admission: Mountain Accord’s own Director, Laynee Jones, admitted the truth: "Clearly the meetings did not follow the Act," and "The negotiations with the ski resorts were not done in public."III. The Gondola: The Taxpayer’s TabThe proposed Little Cottonwood Gondola is the "final payment" in a backroom deal that has already cost Utah taxpayers over $100 million in preliminary spending.The Boondoggle: The establishment—both Democrats and Republicans—has shamelessly pushed for a $1 billion+ gondola, leaving Utah taxpayers to pick up the bill for a project that the vast majority of residents oppose.Dave’s Fight for Transparency: While "Gondola Ben" was doing the bidding of his donors and the establishment, Dave Robinson was using his own resources to force transparency and even exposed the "Zions Bank" related cover-up.The Choice"Gondola Ben" McAdams: Secret meetings, billionaire donors, and a $1 billion taxpayer-funded boondoggle.Dave Robinson: Court-proven transparency, independent leadership, and a track record of protecting the public's access and the public's purse."We’ve seen what happens when the 'inner circle' runs our canyons. You get secret deals, secret land trades for billionaires, and a billion-dollar gondola. I’m running to end the boondoggle and return the power to the people of Utah." — Dave RobinsonSecuring Utah’s WaterThe Vision: Water Security for Every Homeowner In UtahIn Utah, water isn't just a resource; it’s a property right. For over a century, outdated laws and constitutional loopholes have left tens of thousands of Utahns in a "legal gray area" regarding their access to water. Robinson has been a key architect in modernizing these laws, ensuring that whether you live inside or outside city limits, your right to clean, reliable water is protected by the Utah Constitution.I. The Constitutional Fix: Amendment D (2020)Before 2020, the Utah Constitution prohibited cities from selling water outside their municipal boundaries. This put residents in unincorporated areas and neighboring towns at risk of losing their water supply.The Robinson Effort: Dave worked directly with key individuals, the State Engineer, legislative leadership (including the sponsorship of SJR1), and many others to champion a permanent constitutional solution.The Result: Dave’s advocacy helped secure the landslide passage of Amendment D, with over 80% voter support. This historic amendment finally authorized cities to legally provide water services to residents outside their borders, providing permanent legal certainty for billions of dollars in Utah real estate.II. Extraterritorial Jurisdiction: Protecting the SourceAs Utah grows, protecting our "source water" (wells, springs, and streams) from contamination is critical. Dave was a key advisor on the legislative efforts (including SB17) to modernize "extraterritorial jurisdiction."Balanced Regulation: Dave fought for a common-sense approach that allows cities to protect their water sources from pollution without overstepping and infringing on neighboring counties' rights.III. Retail Water Reform: Fairness for the End-UserDave has been a determined advocate for Retail Water Reform (including the "Trio of Water Bills": HB124, HB143, and SJR1). Ending "Water Hostage" Situations: Dave pushed for laws that require municipalities to provide water service to all customers within their designated service areas fairly and at reasonable rates.- Transparency in Rates: Dave advocated for "Retail Water" transparency, ensuring that cities must treat its customers fairly, both inside and outside the city limits. The Robinson Record61% Voter Approval: Helped shepherd the constitutional amendment that secured permanent water for tens of thousands.Billion-Dollar Impact: Stabilized the property values of homes across the Wasatch Front by securing their most vital utility."Water should never be a political weapon. By fixing our Constitution and modernizing our retail water laws, we’ve taken the politics out of the tap and put the security back in the hands of Utah homeowners." — Dave RobinsonThe HOA RacketMy Home, My Refuge, Not Their Revenue StreamMy Home, My Refuge, Not Their Revenue Stream: Utah homeowners are being funneled into a litigation machine designed to protect donors, not residents. For too long, the Utah "Establishment" has allowed private management companies and their law firms to operate as shadow governments with total immunity. I am running for Congress to break the "Devastating Loop" of non-accountability and ensure that the law applies to everyone—even the politically connected.The Failure of Leadership: Beholden to the MachineUtah’s top officials have chosen to protect the HOA industry over the families they were elected to serve.The Governor’s Blind Eye: While Governor Cox promises to build 35,000 new homes, he has failed to protect the homeowners already here. His top donors include the owners of HOA management companies that can use predatory tactics against hardworking Utahns.The Lobbyist Attorney General: Utah's Attorney General, Derek Brown, served as the longtime lobbyist for Michael Johnson's FCS/HOALiving Management and the national organization Community Associations Institute (CAI). How can Utahns expect the "People’s Lawyer" to hold the industry accountable when he was on their payroll for years?The "Fake" Reformers: Legislative sessions come and go with "HOA Reform" bills. These bills are industry-authored "transparency" traps that offer the appearance of oversight while leaving the "Loop" perfectly intact.The "Frustrating Loop": A Manufactured CrisisWhen a homeowner is targeted, they find themselves in an administrative black hole.Bureaucratic Runaround: The State HOA Ombudsman refers you to Consumer Protection; Consumer Protection refers you to the federal offices of the FDCPA; the FDCPA refers you back to the Attorney General, who refers you back to Consumer Protection, and back to the HOA Ombudsman. No one is protecting you.Litigation as Punishment: We have seen predatory firms intentionally disable auto-pay systems and block payment portals to create technical "defaults." They then use your own assessments to hire expensive, seasoned HOA attorneys to sue you, bypass the Ombudsman, and outspend you until your equity is gone.The Human Cost: I’ve stood with neighbors hit with tens of thousands of dollars in unjust fees and fines for a minor dispute, and with the handicapped/disabled, trapped in an expensive legal marathon for over five years just to secure basic civil rights. This is not governance; it is a shakedown where you pay them or lose your home!The Robinson Plan: The Homeowner’s Bill of RightsEnd Manufactured Defaults: It should be a state and federal crime to refuse a valid payment or disable a resident's payment portal during a dispute.Bind the Ombudsman: Transform the HOA Ombudsman from a "paper tiger" into a binding mediation authority to stop the abuse.Federal Oversight: I will champion federal legislation to hold HOA debt collectors accountable to the FDCPA, ensuring that the "Loop" of immunity ends in Utah."Our homes are our greatest assets and our places of refuge. I’m running to take the power out of the hands of the lobbyists and predatory management companies and put the power back in the hands of Utah homeowners." — Dave RobinsonBig Tent LeadershipBig Tent Leadership—Winning for All UtahnsResults Above Party Lines - Politics should be about solving problems, not score-keeping.In 2020, Dave Robinson served as the Communications Director for the Salt Lake County GOP, where he pioneered a "Big Tent" strategy. By focusing on the kitchen-table issues that affect every family—water security, property rights, county budget, and government transparency—Dave helped lead a historic wave of victories in Utah’s most diverse and politically competitive county.I. The 2020 "Red Sweep": A Case Study in SuccessWhile the political establishment expected losses, Dave’s communication program delivered a total sweep of contested Salt Lake County seats.Historic Gains: Under Dave's strategy, the GOP secured a supermajority on the County Council and swept key county-wide offices.Winning Against the Odds: Despite being outspent by massive margins, candidates connected with voters by speaking to shared values rather than partisan talking points.Proven Engagement: Robinson's media strategies reached unprecedented unique viewers, proving that a fact-based, aggressive transparency campaign can bypass traditional media gatekeepers.II. Representing the Entire CommunityDave’s "Big Tent" philosophy is rooted in the idea that good policy doesn't have a party affiliation. Whether it’s protecting the canyons for hikers or securing water for homeowners, the results benefit everyone.Bipartisan Appeal: Dave’s work on water reform and canyon access has earned support from across the political spectrum, showing that he can build the "unlikely alliances" necessary to get things done in Washington.Inclusive Advocacy: Dave brings a unique perspective, that of welcoming, transparency, and being focused on individual liberty for all citizens.III. Accountability to the People, Not the MachineThe success of 2020 proved that when you take the message directly to the voters, the "political machine" loses its power.Direct Communication: Dave believes in bypassing the establishment's "filtered" narratives to speak directly to people's concerns.Independence: Because Dave isn't beholden to the donor class or party elites, he is free to fight for the issues that actually matter to Utah families."In 2020, we proved that when you focus on real issues like property rights and transparency, you win—regardless of the zip code or the political climate. I’m running for Congress to bring that same 'Big Tent' focus to Washington, representing all of Utah, not just a political party." — Dave RobinsonThe "Infill" RevolutionWorkforce Single Family Housing made PossibleUnderutilized = Community. Utah is facing a housing crisis, but the solution in CD1 isn't more urban sprawl or only massive, corporate-owned apartment blocks. Robinson transforms underutilized city blocks into high-quality homes priced for the workforce. Dave doesn’t just talk about housing; he builds it, navigates the complex challenges, and fights the bureaucratic red tape that keeps Utah families from owning their own slice of the American Dream.I. The Hoyt Place Model: Real Density, Real HomesDave’s work on Hoyt Place in the Fairpark neighborhood is a blueprint for the future of Salt Lake City.The Challenge: Developing dozens of interior block parcels that were previously a blighted "weed patch" attracting illegal activity.The Innovation: Dave petitioned for a rezone (to SR-3) to allow single-family detached homes that complement infill dimensions.Community: The projects maintain the character and privacy of individual lots, complete with porches and walkways that encourage neighbor interaction.II. Breaking the "City Machine"Projects like Hoyt Place, Riverside Cottages, and Cheyenne have faced years of delays due to system failures, outdated master plans, and antiquated ordinances.III. The Robinson Housing PlanStreamline "Planned Developments": We must stop the multi-year approval marathons, repetitive staff reports, and hostile actions against costly private infrastructure, with city staff and their attorneys picking winners and losers.Challenges of infill development: Fire Code and ordinances should be interpreted and applied consistently across projects, and landowners should be encouraged to work together to address challenges."While elected officials, including Gov. Cox, wring their hands about available housing, I’m the only candidate in CD1 with experience and expertise in understanding the real challenges landowners, developers, and builders face to bring housing successfully to the market. Our westside developments prove that with courage and patience, you can build a better Utah for everyone." — Dave RobinsonCardiff Public AccessRestoring and Protecting Public Access in Cardiff ForkThe Importance of the Wasatch Canyons: The Central Wasatch Canyons are the lifeblood of our community, providing drinking water and serving as a world-class recreational backyard for millions. However, much of this terrain—specifically in Big Cottonwood Canyon—is a "checkerboard" of private mining claims and public U.S. Forest Service land. Without careful management and diplomacy, public access to these iconic areas can be lost in a maze of "No Trespassing" signs and legal disputes.The Challenge: The 2012 Access Crisis. By 2012, Cardiff Fork had become a flashpoint of conflict. Locked gates and a breakdown in communication between landowners and the Forest Service threatened to permanently cut off public access to one of the most popular backcountry areas in the Wasatch. The community was facing a future of "access wars" that benefited no one.The Robinson Solution: Results Over Rhetoric Dave Robinson stepped in as the volunteer advisor for the Cardiff Canyon Owners Association (CCOA) to break the deadlock.Private-Public Diplomacy: Rather than pursuing litigation, Dave focused on building an "alliance" between the landowners and the U.S. Forest Service.Technical Expertise: Dave utilized his deep knowledge of land-use policy and his relationships with public officials and the backcountry enthusiasts to navigate the complexities of the Special Use Permit process.The "Cardiff Model": Dave pioneered a model based on mutual respect for property rights and a shared commitment to the public good.The Successes: A Decade of Guaranteed AccessOpening the Gates (2012 & 2014): Dave was a primary architect of the agreements that first unlocked the gates in Cardiff Fork, restoring access for hikers, skiers, and families.The 10-Year Special Use Permit (2022-2032): Most recently, Dave helped shepherd the negotiations between the US Forest Service, backcountry organizations, and private landowners for a landmark 10-year Special Use Permit. This ensures that, for the next decade, the public has guaranteed legal access across private parcels to reach thousands of acres of federal backcountry.Conservation Without the Price Tag: Dave’s volunteer efforts have protected the "wild" character of Cardiff Fork without requiring expensive government intervention. "My work in Cardiff Fork proves that we don't need top-down government mandates or secret deals to protect our canyons. We need leaders who know how to bring people to the table and deliver real results for the public." — Dave RobinsonBrighton Local ControlDecision-Making at the Community LevelDave Robinson believes that the most effective government is the one closest to the people. For decades, the residents of the Wasatch Canyons were governed by a "one-size-fits-all" approach from Salt Lake County. Dave was a key participant in the movement to incorporate the Town of Brighton, proving that even when a community is surrounded by federal lands, local control is not just possible—it is essential.Winning the "Boundary War"A town is only as strong as its tax base. During the incorporation process, major corporate interests—including the Solitude and Brighton resorts—attempted to "opt-out" of the town’s boundaries to avoid local oversight.Protecting the Map: Robinson participated in navigating the complex legal requirements of the Lieutenant Governor’s Office to ensure the resorts remained within town limits. Had they succeeded in opting out, the town would have been financially crippled before it ever started.The Result: On November 6, 2018, the community voted overwhelmingly to incorporate, marking a historic victory for local sovereignty over corporate and county special interests.Sovereignty in the Canyons: A Shield Against Federal OverreachThe Town of Brighton is unique because 72% of its land belongs to the U.S. Forest Service.The Local Shield: Robinson has helped show that a formal town government provides a vital "legal shield" for residents. They now have a Mayor and a Town Council to advocate for their property rights.Local Stewardship: Robinson's work proves that local residents and landowners are the best stewards of the land and the watershed.The Blueprint for UtahDave believes the Brighton story is a blueprint for the entire First District. Whether it is managing federal lands, protecting water rights, or standing up to predatory HOAs, the solution is always the same: More local control and less centralized government."We were told the canyons had to be run from the county seat. We proved them wrong. Incorporation gave Brighton a voice, a vote, and the power to protect its own future. I’m running to bring that same spirit of local sovereignty to every corner of the First District." — Dave Robinson— David Robinson's campaign website (April 12, 2026)Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.