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.
Profile
Office: State House
District: 68
Occupation: Lawyer
Age: 56
Residence: Grantsville
Years at Residence: Lifetime
Website: www.MerrillNelson.com
Qualifications
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.
Personal: Married to Karen Olpin 32 years; 5 children; 5 grandchildren.
District: 68
Occupation: Lawyer
Age: 56
Residence: Grantsville
Years at Residence: Lifetime
Website: www.MerrillNelson.com
Qualifications
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.
Personal: Married to Karen Olpin 32 years; 5 children; 5 grandchildren.
