Julie Jackson

Jackson was born in Holladay, Utah. She earned a high school diploma from Olympus High School and a graduate degree from the University of Utah in 2019. Her career experience includes working as an English teacher.[1][2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in House District 34 on Vine Street. I attended 6 different schools and lived in 7 homes or apartments in HD 34. I learned to swim at the Sports Mall, performed at Murray Park, worked at Cottonwood Mall, and skied at Alta. Now, my husband and I have raised our four kids here and, like you, have spent our entire adult lives looking for ways to contribute to our community. I am running to represent my neighbors because I am tired of spending my time bandaiding the issues in our community and want to actually get at solutions that I see are within our grasp.

I taught at a Title 1 high school for eight years before having kids. I provided childcare for our family during those years as a stay-at-home mom. (Who could afford childcare for 4 kids like that?) Currently, I am on several non-profit boards, serve as your elected representative on the Granite School Board, am part owner of a Utah-based technology company, own a small business (my husband’s family practice clinic), and operate a charitable foundation. I received my MBA from the University of Utah.

As your representative on the Granite School Board, I have demonstrated my commitment to taking accountability and holding others accountable. I’ve shown myself to be courageously honest, transparent, and communicative. I not only listen to you, but I will get others to listen to you too. I will continue to work for my neighbors with integrity and an eye on what is best for Utahns.

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?

Let’s create a life that is more AFFORDABLE. So many of the people I love are really struggling. I worry about my own kids’ ability to afford a home, have children, or find employment in our neighborhood. No more bandaid on the situation. Let’s fix the economic problem. I’ll begin by removing regulation from childcare centers to make childcare more affordable, providing incentives to developers and more flexibility to cities so we can incentivize developers to build housing that is reasonably priced, and increasing the minimum wage (which has been at $7.25 since 2009). My background–small business owner, teacher, parent, elected official, non-profit board, and foundation operator–makes me a valuable asset in these conversations.Let’s create sustainable infrastructure for our RESOURCES. I will spend the next 6 months becoming an expert on the budget, looking for funds and policies that we can reposition to invest in water conservation and renewable energy infrastructure. I’ll build relationships with legislators on both sides of the aisle to to pass good water and energy policy. I will continue to work to stop the proposed Box Elder County project and will bring my knowledge from my tech background to have real conversations about how we want to handle data centers as a state. I support creating localized infrastructure that is built on renewable energy such as geothermal, solar and wind power.Let’s strengthen our schools without increasing PROPERTY TAX. Education funding makes up 40% of the state budget. I have many neighbors on a fixed income who are in danger of losing their home every time property taxes go up. Property taxes go up because education funding from the state does not meet the needs of the schools. The schools need less unfunded mandates and more localized control over spending in order to meet their needs without property tax increases. I will work to fix these structural education funding issues so our seniors can have confidence that they can stay in their homes, while ensuring our kids get the best education our tax dollars can provide.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

1. ALL THINGS KIDS. As a teacher and member of the Granite School Board, I’m passionate about all areas that impact kids (environment, education, childcare, healthcare, immigration, affordability).

2. BALANCE OF POWER. I’ll defend fair maps and empower the judicial branch. I’ll work to elect more democrats to bring a balance of power back to the legislature so they cannot pass bills that disempower the other branches of government.

3. SOUND FINANCIAL PRINCIPLES: As one of the only members of the Utah House with an MBA, I will speak the language of finance to other members of the house to bring about strong tax reform (no more income tax decreases and property tax increases!) and sound budget decisions.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Representative Carol Spackman Moss

Holladay Mayor Paul Fotheringham

Millcreek Mayor Cheri Jackson

Murray Mayor Brett Hales

Granite School Board Member Clarke Nelsen

Former Holladay Mayor Rob Dahle

Former Millcreek Mayor Jeff Silvistrini

Millcreek Youth Mayor Heidi Jackson

Murray School Board Member Kelly Taeoalii

Murray School Board Member Jill Weight

Holladay City Council Member Drew Quinn

Holladay City Council Member Natalie Bradley

Holladay City Council Member Emily Gray

Granite School Board Member Kris Nguyen

Moms for Clean Air

Salt Lake County Democratic Veterans Caucus

Julie Jackson did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in Granite School District and loved it so much that I am raising my children in the same community. It was in Granite schools that I got to do things like learn Calculus (thank you Mr. Barton!), perform in Concerto Night (thank you Mr. Ashton!), and play on the soccer team (thank you Coach Chris!). I got to perform in a play I helped write (thank you Mrs. Chatwin!) and I made a pretty legit bridge out of popsicle sticks for physics (thank you Mr. Reddie!) These experiences made me love school.

When I became be a teacher, I taught at Horizonte Instruction and Training Center, the Alternative High School for SLC District, which changed my life. The students there face challenges I couldn't even imagine. Few of them were on grade level in reading or math and all of them were angry about it. I felt it too. Students in my classroom discovered that they could learn and succeed. I got to watch it happen.

While I LOVED helping my students pull themselves out of difficult holes, I couldn't help feeling the need to prevent kids from falling into the hole in the first place. Our District leaders work really hard to prevent the digging of holes! I think the key is to make sure decision makers are weighing options together with major stakeholders, especially teachers, students, and parents.

Education is more than a career to me. It is part of my identity. As a member of the Granite School Board I'll put that passion to work for the benefit of all our kids.

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?

I am a teacher and understand how policy and financial decisions affect classrooms.I grew up in this community and understand the strengths and needs of our students.I spend meaningful time in schools and listen to teachers, students, and parents.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

1. RESPOND TO COVID WITH UNITY AND INNOVATION: With hefty budget cuts coming that will affect our most vulnerable kids and the serious business of getting kids back up to speed this fall, it is crucial that we involve all stakeholders in the process and innovate to find long-term solutions.

2. ENCOURAGE LOCAL CONTROL: Our district is so large that it's hard to meet everyone's needs. I'd like to help create a culture, a policy, and a vision that encourages more local control so in the midst of being large, we can also meet the needs of individual kids, schools and communities.

3. CONNECT DOLLARS TO CLASSROOMS: Our district is so large and it is hard to make sure we understand how every dollar affects our kids. The only way to make this connection is by listening to students, parents, and teachers. The best way I can do this is by attending PTA and Community Council Meetings, being involved in all kinds of Community events, and eating lunch in faculty rooms and cafeterias.

4. ATTRACT AND KEEP GREAT TEACHERS: To make our district great for students, we have to make it great for teachers! The most important way to do this is to listen to them. Listen when they are frustrated with a new District program. Listen when they tell us how frustrating it is that they can't find a substitute when they are sick. Listen when they see solutions and have ideas. Listen when they share their struggles to balance school and family.