Millcreek's Owens seeks reelection to Utah House District 33

Doug Owens, the Democratic state representative for Utah House District 33, is seeking reelection in the Nov. 3 general election. He faces Republican Anna Reeves.

Owens has held the District 33 seat since 2021. He serves as House Minority Caucus Manager and co-chairs both the Great Salt Lake Caucus and the Bipartisan Clean Air Caucus, according to the Utah House Democrats.

The candidate information, issue positions and endorsements below are drawn from Owens' campaign website and BallotReady profile data. Positions are presented as the candidate's own statements unless otherwise noted.

Candidate information

Party: Democratic
Office sought: Utah House of Representatives, District 33
Residence: Millcreek
Education: Bachelor's degree, University of Utah (1984); juris doctor, Yale University (1989)
Profession: Attorney
Family: Wife Cynthia Owens; four children

Owens was born and raised in Salt Lake City, according to his campaign website. He said he took two years off early in his career to stay home with three small children while Cynthia finished medical residency. He said he also founded Utah Outdoor Partners, a nonprofit.

Experience and public service

Owens has represented District 33 since 2021, according to BallotReady profile data. He said he sponsored and passed the Utah Child Influencer Protections bill.

The law requires parents or guardians who profit from content featuring their children to set aside a portion of earnings for the child. It also gives young creators the ability to request removal of content once they become adults.

Owens said he secured $250,000 in state funding to begin developing opportunities around Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. He also said he organized Utah Guard helicopters to fly the entire Legislature to see the Great Salt Lake. Owens claimed Governor Cox said the flight was more effective than anything he had tried to get the Legislature to act for the lake.

On the issues

Air quality and environment: Owens said too many lives are shortened by air quality on the Wasatch Front. He called for setting a statewide goal for reducing emissions from vehicles, new buildings and industrial sources. He said the shrinking of the Great Salt Lake poses serious environmental risks to the entire Wasatch Front.

Parley's Canyon: Owens said a proposed quarry would be the largest mining operation in the region since the 1970s, over 50 times the size of the existing gravel pit in Parley's Canyon. He said the project would permanently damage the canyon's natural beauty, pollute air and water, and increase the risk of wildfires and avalanches.

He said he is dedicated to working with community leaders, environmental advocates and policymakers to block the project.

Education: Owens said investing in education, expanding vocational opportunities and lowering tuition at community colleges and universities are priorities. He said he knows from personal experience how much of a burden rising college costs put on Utah families.

Healthcare: Owens said all hard-working Utahns should have access to high-quality, affordable health insurance and called for protecting Medicaid and Obamacare.

Economy: Owens said he wants to help Utahns understand the economic potential of the state's public lands as recreational resources. He said he wants to reduce regulations that hurt small businesses and attract new industries and good-paying jobs to Utah.