I am pleased to announce today that I have drafted a bill that prohibits online gambling in Utah in response to proposed legislation in the U.S. Congress to legalize online gambling unless states proactively opt out.

The bill is even more significant due to yesterday’s ruling by the U.S. Department of Justice that states may legalize online gambling. This bill is a referendum on the DOJ’s decision and some in the U.S. Congress such as Senate Leader Harry Reid to proliferate online gambling.

If approved by lawmakers in 2012, Utah’s new anti-online gambling bill will amend HB 104, Alcoholic Beverage Licensees and Gambling-like Activities, a bill I pushed through the legislature that became law in 2007. Prior to HB 104, Utah was vulnerable to Indian casinos due to the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. HB 104 closes the loophole created by federal law and makes it impossible for Indian casinos to come to the state of Utah.

We want to keep Utah free from the negative impacts of legalized gambling. Without courageous leadership to block Internet gaming, Utah could once again be forced to allow Indian casinos.

The Christian Science Monitor’s Patrik Jonsson recently reported that global online gambling is now worth an estimated $30 billion, with online poker worth a potential $6 billion annually in the United States. Additionally, many gambling critics see the DOJ’s recent interpretation as another major crack in America’s moral foundation. Utah is one of only two states including Hawaii that does not allow legalized gambling.

The U.S. Department of Justice’s conveniently issued legal opinion is a desperate attempt to try and fix today’s recessive economy. It’s clear that President Obama’s fiscal policies have been a complete failure. This latest move by the DOJ will only serve to harm all Americans economically and socially in the long-run.

The gambling industry profits from the vulnerabilities of its customers and opens the way for states to become further dependent upon tax revenues gained from a form of recreation that hits hardest those who can least afford it.

Improving the U.S. economy will only occur through commonsense fiscal policy led by a president who understands the private sector. This move by the DOJ is just more Obama Administration showboating and will only serve to expand federal government.

I welcome Jim Matheson into the race, however, this election cycle is going to be a referendum on Barack Obama and direction in which this country is headed. At the end of the day, I believe my legislative record will speak for itself when it comes to representing Utah’s values.

Our campaign has worked hard to prepare for the various scenarios that could impact this race including Matheson jumping into the 4th district.

I’ve dealt with many issues ranging from education to public lands. I feel stronger than ever, now that the incumbent has entered the race, that my education, military service, business background and other life experiences have put me in a position to defeat Jim Matheson. I am looking forward to debating Jim and continuing a spirited discussion on issues and leadership during the campaign.

This coming election will be about the disastrous policies of President Obama, a point which the ad below makes very clear:

I just sent out the following press release about the federal Department of Justice’s lawsuit announced yesterday against the commonsense immigration law I helped Utah pass, HB 497:

SALT LAKE CITY– November 23, 2011 — UT Rep. Stephen Sandstrom who is running for U.S. Congress candidate in Utah’s new 4th district stated his disappointment and concern with a lack of leadership in Washington, D.C. upon learning of the U.S. Justice Department’s filing on Tuesday against HB 497. The Utah law is one of four immigration bills signed by Governor Herbert last March, and one that Sandstrom had told U.S. Justice he was willing to amend if necessary during Utah’s 2012 legislative session.

The Federal decision comes as a disappointment to the bill’s sponsor because earlier this fall U.S. Justice Department investigators had indicated to Sandstrom that HB497 was a reasonable and viable law. “I am amazed the U.S. Department of Justice would file a law suit at this time. This bill is nothing more than a measured approach that allows Utah’s local and state law enforcement agencies to enforce existing Federal immigration law,” acknowledged Sandstrom.

“It is increasingly apparent that the inability of today’s Congress to find bipartisan solutions on this critical issue of immigration is paralyzing this nation,” said Sandstrom. “I intend to provide courageous leadership and a blend of pragmatic and compassionate decision making to represent Utahns and Americans more effectively in 2012.”

During his time in state office, Sandstrom sponsored bills that increased funding and choice for education, upgraded transportation infrastructure, fought identity theft, defended Second Amendment rights, and preserved natural and recreational resources. His legislation also included economic development and prosperity measures. He is prepared to tackle these same issues at the national level through experience and a proven policy track record.

Sandstrom continued, “It’s time for elected officials to stop posturing for political gain. Until we start working together to solve our immigration problems, border security, reduce the growing deficit, and balance our budget, we will continue to flounder as a nation.”

To follow up on this news release, please contact Lee Rech at (801) 556-8423 or via email at lee@lbrcommunications.com.

Fox 13 has a story on my announcement. I talked a bit with them about the new 4th district and why I’m running in it:

“I think I’m the person who stands up for the rule of law who also realizes there’s a human element and we’ve got to deal with that as well,” Sandstrom said.

When this year’s legislative session was over, Sandstrom began preparing for a run for US Congress in Utah’s 3rd distrct, a seat he thought Jason Chaffetz was leaving.

“He had told me personally that he was going to be running against Hatch. That’s why we had the moves going. In fact the day he announced he wasn’t running I was actually on a flight with my campaign consultant ready to leave for the airport to leave to prepare for my campaign for the 3rd congressional,” Sandstrom said.

But when the state’s new 4th district was drawn near his house, Sandstrom decided to run in the new district against fellow conservative Carl Wimmer, another Republican who has received criticism for his policies.

Sandstrom says his campaign will focus on the nation’s finances.

Here’s our new radio ad that we’re currently running on several Utah radio stations right now.

Here’s KCPW reporter Eric Ray’s report:

Another Republican state lawmaker is throwing his hat in the ring for Utah’s new 4th District Congressional seat. Representative Stephen Sandstrom of Orem announced his candidacy Monday. Sandstrom sponsored HB 497, the Utah Illegal Immigration Enforcement Act, and says while he will run on a platform of creating jobs and fixing the economy, he won’t shy away from immigration reform in Washington.

“We do need courageous leadership in Washington, D.C. on that issue,” says Sandstrom. “I think it’s lacking in a big way. I would be the only person in Congress that had actually passed legislation on immigration reform. So I think that would put me in a very unique position to do something good there.”

Sandstrom says he would continue to take what he describes as a measured approach on immigration, adding that states like Arizona have gone too far.

In order to win the seat, Sandstrom would have to beat State Representative Carl Wimmer. The two men are friends, but Sandstrom says competing for the seat shouldn’t affect their friendship:

“I think that we can both articulate and explain why we want to be in Congress and why we are the one that should represent the 4th District, and then let the voters and delegates decide,” says Sandstrom.

Here’s the video below:

Deseret News reporter Kelly McConkie Henriod profiles me as one of several Utah state legislators who have sponsored bills on a many topics. Here’s an excerpt:

What do unpasteurized honey, high school lacrosse teams, dishwashing detergent and illegal immigration all have come in common? The answer: Rep. Stephen Sandstrom. During this legislative session, Sandstrom, R-Orem, has sponsored legislation pertaining to all of the above issues, plus quite a few more.

While Sandstrom is most well-known for his controversial Arizona-style anti-immigration bill, which has passed the House, he is also the author of 14 other bills on issues that cover the gamut: from creating a more constitution-centered curriculum for Utah students to making sure judges consider a divorced mother’s at-home status when deciding on alimony payment. And Sandstrom is not the only one who can claim a diverse list of legislation. Most legislators only sponsor a small number of bills, or choose to focus on one particular issue in a session, but there are a few who take on a variety of issues, in hopes to prove that no issue is too small or too obscure to merit the attention of the Utah Legislature.

“I’ve always told my constituents that I want to be what I call a ‘broad-based’ legislator,” Sandstrom said. “I don’t want to just be focused on one issue; I want to represent the little issues that might need attention.”

Sandstrom explained that in order to represent the “little issues,” a representative needs to be dedicated to responding to the needs and concerns of his or her constituents.

“Take my bill on raw honey, for example,” he said. “I have two beekeepers in my district who approached me and were worried about restrictions on selling their honey because it’s unpasteurized.”

Sandstrom explained that he’s glad these two beekeepers came to him, because it turns out that this is an issue where there was some concern in the honey industry.

“It’s often that I’ll go look into an issue for a constituent, and find out that there’s a lot of interest about the issue in the particular industry,” Sandstrom remarked, “it happens all the time.”

Sandstrom’s immigration bill is by far the most publicized piece of legislation yet this session, and while Sandstrom isn’t bothered by the amount of attention he’s gotten, he says he doesn’t want to be branded as “the immigration guy.”

“Sure, I’m sponsoring the immigration bill, but I don’t want to be tagged as someone who only does immigration bills,” said Sandstrom. “You have to come with an open mind about sponsoring different kinds of legislation.”

Today’s Salt Lake Tribune has a story on my campaign kickoff filed by reporter David Montero. Here is an excerpt from it:

Rep. Stephen Sandstrom said Sunday he will run against fellow lawmaker Carl Wimmer in the newly minted 4th Congressional District, setting up a showdown between two founding members of the conservative Patrick Henry Caucus.

Sandstrom will formally announce Monday and said he had vacillated between the 2nd and 4th Congressional Districts. His original plan had been to run in the 3rd Congressional District, but that was scuttled when U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, decided not to leave his seat to challenge Sen. Orrin Hatch.

“The 4th Congressional is a much better fit for me,” Sandstrom said. “The district is 15 blocks from my house, and it’s the area I was born and raised.”

Sandstrom said he plans to move so he can live within the district’s boundaries.

The Orem Republican said he plans to serve out his term as a state representative unless he finds fundraising tough in the next couple of months. As of the most recent filings, Sandstrom was largely self-funded at about $62,000 while Wimmer had amassed more than $150,000 through about 400 donors. [...]

Sandstrom was elected as the Orem representative in 2006 after serving on the Orem City Council. The former airline pilot now runs his own business, Sandstrom Architects, and his campaign manager, Alan Crooks, said the lawmaker would take “a significant pay cut” if he were to win the congressional seat.

“It will be a cut in pay, but it’s an opportunity for Stephen to give back,” Crooks said.

I just sent out the following press release announcing my campaign. Today is officially the first day:

SALT LAKE CITY– November 14, 2011 — Utah Representative Stephen Sandstrom today announced he will pursue election to the U.S. Congress in the newly designated Fourth District. A stalwart conservative, Sandstrom decided to enter the congressional race to bolster Republican efforts to advance conservative values, support a balanced budget, and work toward economic recovery and stability.

“It is time to interject some reality,” Sandstrom said. “Utah is a model of responsible fiscal conservatism. Washington needs to face the national fiscal crisis head-on, from that position of reality. It’s time for an ideological shift that moves us toward prosperity.”

Sandstrom brings deep understanding and experience in both public and private sectors. The owner and visionary at Sandstrom Architecture, he left a career path as an airline pilot to save his family’s business after his father began to suffer health problems. Under his leadership, the company became one of the most successful architectural firms in the Intermountain Region. While meeting the demands of the business, Sandstrom fostered his interests in public service by serving multiple terms as an Orem City Council member.

In 2006, Sandstrom was elected to represent Utah’s 58th District and is currently serving his third term in the Utah State Legislature. Sandstrom’s experience in the legislature spans over a wide range of important issues.

“I am not, nor ever will be, a single-issue legislator,” Sandstrom said. “There are too many needs, viewpoints, and variables that affect our safety, security, and quality of life. I have proven my capability to listen to the needs of my constituents and bring balanced policy solutions to the table.”

During his time in state office, Sandstrom sponsored bills that increased funding for education, upgraded transportation infrastructure, fought identity theft, defended Second Amendment rights, and preserved natural and recreational resources. His legislation also included economic development and prosperity measures. He is prepared to tackle these same issues at the national level.

“We need an America we can fall in love with again,” Sandstrom said. “This includes a strong dedication to the U.S. Constitution, enforcing laws that work for the average American. I am committed to removing laws like ‘Obamacare’ and others with negative consequences.”

Sandstrom concluded, “My goal is to serve Utah constituents next year on a national level and undo the prohibitive legislation keeping our country in economic doldrums. It’s time to institute policy that frees up businesses and reenergizes the American Dream for Utahns and the future of our children and our grandchildren.”

About Utah Representative Stephen Sandstrom

Utah Representative Stephen Sandstrom favors small government, strong education, and states’ rights. A resident of Utah for over 40 years, he graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Political Science. He believes in promoting growth through lower taxes, which allow hard-working Utah citizens and Americans to retain their hard-earned savings. Compassionate and approachable, Sandstrom is a listener and trusted problem solver. He is well-known in the community as an honest, classic Reagan conservative. He has been married for 21 years to Jenny and has four children.

Sandstrom, an avid outdoorsman, enjoys hunting, fishing, and climbing mountains including summiting many of the world’s tallest peaks. He and his family often participate in outdoor activities, and he has spent many years coaching his sons’ hockey teams.

Sandstrom believes his life experience as a former United States Marine, small business owner, local and state public servant, and a steadfast family member uniquely qualify him to represent the constituents of the 4^th District.