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 are to protect individual rights, to preserve and enforce our Constitution, and to strengthen families. 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, and public lands. The people and the states must reassert their proper status under the Constitution as the repository of all non-delegated powers.
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 are to protect individual rights, to preserve and enforce our Constitution, and to strengthen families. 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, and public lands. The people and the states must reassert their proper status under the Constitution as the repository of all non-delegated powers.
Profile
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 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 individuals in protecting their rights and resolving their legal disputes.
Qualifications
Background: Growing up in a large family, I learned the values of independence and hard work. As a youth, I had daily chores of milking the cow and feeding the animals, in addition to responsibility for irrigation and hauling hay. I also had a daily paper route for several years. I was active in school, sports, and church activities. I served a church mission and worked my way through college as a salt plant and construction laborer. We have tried to rear our family with these same rural values, serving in school, church and community activities, and maintaining a small farm on the side.
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.
Served three years on the Guardian ad litem Oversight Committee appointed by Utah Judicial Council; acting chairman. 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.
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 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 individuals in protecting their rights and resolving their legal disputes.
Qualifications
Background: Growing up in a large family, I learned the values of independence and hard work. As a youth, I had daily chores of milking the cow and feeding the animals, in addition to responsibility for irrigation and hauling hay. I also had a daily paper route for several years. I was active in school, sports, and church activities. I served a church mission and worked my way through college as a salt plant and construction laborer. We have tried to rear our family with these same rural values, serving in school, church and community activities, and maintaining a small farm on the side.
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.
Served three years on the Guardian ad litem Oversight Committee appointed by Utah Judicial Council; acting chairman. 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.
Merrill Nelson
164 South 800 East
Grantsville, UT 84029
435-840-2472
mnelson@le.utah.gov
164 South 800 East
Grantsville, UT 84029
435-840-2472
mnelson@le.utah.gov
