Editor’s note: As the Nov. 3 election draws near, the Daily Universe is exploring different national and local issues impacting voters in a series of stories.
Voters in the state of Utah will find three candidates on the ballot running for attorney general this election.
According to usa.gov, 'attorneys general are the top legal officers of their state or territory. They advise and represent their legislature and state agencies and act as the 'People’s Lawyer' for the citizens.'
The three candidates in Utah are Rudy J. Bautista (Libertarian), Greg Skordas (Democrat) and Sean D. Reyes (Republican).
Rudy J. Bautista is one of a few private criminal defense attorneys in Utah who is qualified by the Utah Supreme Court rules to defend the death penalty. Bautista graduated from BYU's J. Reuben Clark School of Law in 1999 and has been practicing criminal defense exclusively since that time.
According to his website, Bautista can explain rights and help people understand what the best options may be in defending against a criminal prosecution.
According to information submitted to Utah.gov about Greg Skordas, he was born and raised in Utah and has practiced law for 38 years. 'He brought the Drug Court concept to Utah 25 years ago and has provided resources and support to countless families recovering from addiction,' the website reads. 'As a husband and father of three, Greg knows healthcare isn’t a privilege, and he will work to protect healthcare and put Utah families first.'
In Skordas's message, it says he will stand up to the Federal Government in its attempts to open up oil and gas drilling in National Parks and Monuments and will work to protect consumers and prevent the fraud that has plagued Utah for so long.
Sean D. Reyes 'is widely praised for protecting Utahns from violent crimes, white collar fraud, cyber-crime, government overreach and other threats including opioids, suicide, elder abuse, teen vaping, child porn and human trafficking,' says the information the Reyes campaign submitted.
The website also says Reyes is a small government, states’ rights, pro-life, rule of law, Second Amendment supporter and has an A+ rating from the NRA. He's a proud Republican and works closely with Democrats and others to get results for Utah.
For more information on what's on the ballot and different candidates in Utah, visit Utah's voting website.