Policymaker: Rep. Kraig Powell, District 54, Duchesne, Uintah, and Wasatch Counties

Facebook Profile 

Legislative profile

Occupation: Attorney

Education: B.A., Willamette University, Political Science and English; M.A., J.D., Ph.D. (Government and Foreign Affairs), University of Virginia

Growing up: I grew up in the Pacific Northwest (Seattle-Tacoma area) and I still love rain!

Fond memory: I attended the Freedom's Foundation Conference at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania as a junior in high school.  I still vividly remember standing around reading copies of the Declaration of Independence by candlelight at that historic site.

Childhood ambition: I can't really say that I had a childhood ambition to do anything, other than to be a good person and be successful.

Family: Married to Kim Prestwich, whom I met while we were both auditioning for "Camelot" at Bingham High School.  Seven days after we were married, Kim and I drove back to Washington, D.C., where I interned for Senator Orrin Hatch and she interned for Congressman Howard Nielsen for a semester.  We have four children:  Kristopher, 19; Benjamin, 15; Jessica, 12; and Sarah, 8.

Why politics: I have not previously held any public office.  I became involved in politics just a few years ago when my wife and I volunteered to head up three different school bond campaigns in our school district. We got to know quite a few people in different areas and learned how to organize a campaign.



My perfect day: Attending a Community Foundation meeting in the morning, a Chamber of Commerce meeting at lunch, a Rotary meeting for dinner, and

a City Council meeting that night.

Hobbies: Choral singing and conducting

First job: Selling Ginsu knives door-to-door while in grade school.

Current motivations/ambitions: Helping my children to grow up strong and kind.

Lesson taught me by my mother: Don't let emotions cloud your judgment or rule your actions.

Hottest issue I'm watching: My wife!

Biggest challenge: Balancing a first job (attorney) with a second job (legislator).

Biggest accomplishment: Winning a tough primary and general election without accepting any money from lobbyists, special interest groups or corporations that lobby the Legislature.

Alarm clock: Daughter's blow-dryer.

Proudest moment: Dropping my first child off at college.

My philosophy of government: Good things happen when people get involved at a local level.

Why my political party:  That government is best that governs least.

Soundtrack: Into the Woods

Personal motto/mission statement: Choose an unimportant day.  It will be important enough. -- Thornton Wilder, Our Town

Most embarrassing moment: Being held at gunpoint by police in the bathroom of my law office.

Inspiration: Into the Woods

Retreat: Oregon Coast

Favorite book: Pride and Prejudice

Favorite movie: O Brother, Where Art Thou?

Favorite web site: Utah Policy Daily

Indulgence, guilty pleasure: Utah Shakespearean Festival

Mentors:  Each of my employers and my college and graduate school advisors

I admire most in the world: Happily-married men and women

I'd fix the problems of the world by: Having everyone attend their neighborhood caucuses

A small insight into my psyche:  I am always humming or whistling and it annoys people

My farewell message to the world:  If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all.

My district is cool because: It has the highest point in the state and the only historic railroad in the state.

I like serving in the Legislature because: Our state needs good people who are willing to make this sacrifice.



Running for political office is: Indescribably turbulent and exhilarating.

Historical figure I'd like to take to lunch:  John Locke



Sports team: I am the biggest BYU fan who never attended BYU.

I always carry in my pocket: A handy-dandy coin purse that my family gave me for a gift.

Favorite pet: Sorry, no entry here.

I always laugh at: Political speeches



My desk is: Clutter-free exactly once a week, messy on all other days.

Biggest issues ahead in 2010 session: Preserving necessary government services as inexpensively as possible

My priorities for 2010 session: Voting for a smart and fair stream access bill.

Anything else you'd like to share: I rely heavily on Utah Policy Daily to save time with a quick news roundup.  Thank you!