Conservative Values and Practical Solutions For Our Five County District
Guiding Principles
All government power originates with the people. Government exists to serve and protect the people in their rights. Government functions best when it is limited, lean, and local -- operating within its proper role, within its means, and closest to the people.
As a state legislator, my priorities will be to protect individual rights, to preserve and enforce our Constitution, and to strengthen families. I believe in government that is as limited and local as possible. I believe in strong schools and providing our children the best education possible. I will vigorously oppose any effort to encroach upon our private property and water rights. And I will join and lead efforts to restore state sovereignty--to push back against failed federal policies relating to education, health care, public lands, and illegal immigration. The people and the states must reassert their proper status under the Constitution as the repository of all non-delegated powers.
Personal
Married to Karen Olpin 32 years; 5 children; 5 grandchildren.
I grew up on a farm in Grantsville, Tooele County, where I learned the values of hard work, self-reliance, church and community service, and respect for law and good government. Karen, my wife of 32 years, and I chose to rear our five children here because we love the rural lifestyle, with small towns and schools where children are not anonymous and may learn shared values. I graduated from BYU in Agricultural Economics and went on to graduate from the BYU Law School. I clerked a year on the Utah Supreme Court and went to work at Kirton McConkie, now the largest law firm in the state. For the past 30 years, I have practiced constitutional law, representing school districts, hospitals, religious entities, and others, as well as individuals in protecting their rights and resolving their legal disputes.
Qualifications
Background: I grew up on a family farm, with daily chores of milking and feeding, irrigating the fields at 3:00 in the morning, hauling hay, etc. As an adult, I continued to help my dad with his sheep and irrigation, and have also acquired my own land to grow and sell hay. As a lawyer, I have worked on land and water issues. I am prepared to help protect your land and water.
Professional Experience: Constitutional/appellate lawyer at Kirton McConkie; 30 years experience in legal issues involving religious and other nonprofit entities, education, healthcare, government, property, insurance, adoption, child protection, and risk management.
Acting Chairman of Guardian ad litem Oversight Committee appointed by Utah Judicial Council. Member of American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children. Served on Utah Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Appellate Procedure. Author and presenter on constitutional issues; chapter author, "Confronting Pornography." Clerked on Utah Supreme Court.
Legislative Experience: Served in Utah House 1991-92; Vice-chairman of Judiciary Committee; passed life-without-parole sentencing option for convicted killers; extended UTA bus service to Tooele County; supported balanced budgets and protection of individual rights.
Legislative Priorities: strengthen and defend education; protect individual liberties; strengthen state sovereignty against federal encroachments; support free enterprise to foster economic growth; oppose illegal immigration; improve transportation and protect water in rural Utah.
Education: BYU Law School (Editor of Law Review); BS in Agricultural Economics at BYU; Grantsville High School.
Public Service: Board Member of Fair Boundaries Coalition and sponsor of statewide Initiative for Independent Redistricting Committee; youth baseball coach; BSA scout master and committee member; LDS bishop; Project Guatemala Agricultural Program; Spanish LDS mission.
All government power originates with the people. Government exists to serve and protect the people in their rights. Government functions best when it is limited, lean, and local -- operating within its proper role, within its means, and closest to the people.
As a state legislator, my priorities will be to protect individual rights, to preserve and enforce our Constitution, and to strengthen families. I believe in government that is as limited and local as possible. I believe in strong schools and providing our children the best education possible. I will vigorously oppose any effort to encroach upon our private property and water rights. And I will join and lead efforts to restore state sovereignty--to push back against failed federal policies relating to education, health care, public lands, and illegal immigration. The people and the states must reassert their proper status under the Constitution as the repository of all non-delegated powers.
Personal
Married to Karen Olpin 32 years; 5 children; 5 grandchildren.
I grew up on a farm in Grantsville, Tooele County, where I learned the values of hard work, self-reliance, church and community service, and respect for law and good government. Karen, my wife of 32 years, and I chose to rear our five children here because we love the rural lifestyle, with small towns and schools where children are not anonymous and may learn shared values. I graduated from BYU in Agricultural Economics and went on to graduate from the BYU Law School. I clerked a year on the Utah Supreme Court and went to work at Kirton McConkie, now the largest law firm in the state. For the past 30 years, I have practiced constitutional law, representing school districts, hospitals, religious entities, and others, as well as individuals in protecting their rights and resolving their legal disputes.
Qualifications
Background: I grew up on a family farm, with daily chores of milking and feeding, irrigating the fields at 3:00 in the morning, hauling hay, etc. As an adult, I continued to help my dad with his sheep and irrigation, and have also acquired my own land to grow and sell hay. As a lawyer, I have worked on land and water issues. I am prepared to help protect your land and water.
Professional Experience: Constitutional/appellate lawyer at Kirton McConkie; 30 years experience in legal issues involving religious and other nonprofit entities, education, healthcare, government, property, insurance, adoption, child protection, and risk management.
Acting Chairman of Guardian ad litem Oversight Committee appointed by Utah Judicial Council. Member of American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children. Served on Utah Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Appellate Procedure. Author and presenter on constitutional issues; chapter author, "Confronting Pornography." Clerked on Utah Supreme Court.
Legislative Experience: Served in Utah House 1991-92; Vice-chairman of Judiciary Committee; passed life-without-parole sentencing option for convicted killers; extended UTA bus service to Tooele County; supported balanced budgets and protection of individual rights.
Legislative Priorities: strengthen and defend education; protect individual liberties; strengthen state sovereignty against federal encroachments; support free enterprise to foster economic growth; oppose illegal immigration; improve transportation and protect water in rural Utah.
Education: BYU Law School (Editor of Law Review); BS in Agricultural Economics at BYU; Grantsville High School.
Public Service: Board Member of Fair Boundaries Coalition and sponsor of statewide Initiative for Independent Redistricting Committee; youth baseball coach; BSA scout master and committee member; LDS bishop; Project Guatemala Agricultural Program; Spanish LDS mission.
Watch for my "Conservative Values - Practical Solutions" mailer!
Merrill Nelson Campaign
164 South 800 East
Grantsville, UT 84029
801-971-2172
mnelson@kmclaw.com
164 South 800 East
Grantsville, UT 84029
801-971-2172
mnelson@kmclaw.com
