Committee to Elect Norman Thurston
- Norman Thurston, Chair
- Maria Thurston, Sign Captain
- Molly McCall, Provo
- Doug Andrus, Springville
- Melanie Bailey, Provo
- Chris Burton, Provo
- Anna Lea Cannon, Provo
- Angie Carter, Provo
- Ben Summerhalder, Legislative District Chair
- Lee Sands, Provo
- Joey Smith, Provo
- Katie Steed, Provo
- Jehicob Torres, Provo
- Jeff Whitlock, Provo
- Vickie Wilker, Provo
- Carolyn Wright, Provo
WHAT ARE PEOPLE SAYING ABOUT NORM?
Elected Officials
Governor Spencer Cox, State of Utah
Mike Mendenhall, Mayor, Spanish Fork
Katrice McKay, Chair, Provo City Council
John Taylor, Nebo School District Board of Education
Shauna Warnick, Nebo School District Board of Education
Teri McCabe, Provo School District Board of Education
Neighbors and Friends
Noah Duerst, Springville Resident
Tammy Flake, Springville Resident
Beth Luthy, Nurse Practitioner
Steve Baxter, Springville Resident
Mike O’Brien, Springville Resident
Tom Morris, Springville Resident
Larry StClair, Springville Resident
Sara Harvey, Springville Resident
Curtis Koelling, Springville Resident
Kathy Mesenbrink, Springville Resident, Elementary School Teacher
Lisa Galindo, Provo, Elementary School Teacher
David and Carolyn Wright, Provo Residents
Brian and Jennifer Miller, Parents
Devin Patrick, Provo Resident and State Employee
Chef Chad Pritchard, Small Business Owner
Ken Kuhni, Provo Resident
Former Government Officials
Brad Wilson, former Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives
David Clark, former Speaker of the Utah House of Representatives
Greg Bell, former Lieutenant Governor
Alayne Peterson McCormick, former State Employee
David N. Sundwall, MD, former Cabinet Member
John T. Nielsen, former Advisor to Governor Herbert
David Shipley, Past Member, Provo City Council
Rebecca Nielsen, Past Member and Vice President, Provo School District Board of Education
What Our Community is Saying
When you ask neighbors, educators, and community leaders about Norm, a consistent picture emerges: he is a dedicated public servant who leads with integrity, intelligence, and a deep commitment to the people he represents.
“The Leader Who Does His Homework”
Supporters frequently describe Norm as the most prepared person in the room. He is known for a careful, analytical approach to complex policy, ensuring that every decision is backed by evidence and thorough research rather than just political trends. Whether it’s healthcare reform or economic strategy, Norm is the one people trust to understand the “fine print”.
“A Principled Voice for Taxpayers”
Norm is widely recognized as a steadfast fiscal watchdog. His constituents value his commitment to making government more efficient and responsive. He doesn’t just talk about conservative values; he applies them by protecting taxpayer interests and ensuring state resources are managed with long-term stability in mind.
“A Champion for Our Schools”
Local teachers and school board members see Norm as a true partner in education. He is praised for his accessibility and his willingness to listen to those on the front lines. By advocating for local control and flexible funding, he works to ensure that Utah’s education system remains student-focused and responsive to the needs of individual communities.
“A Problem-Solver for Families”
To his neighbors, Norm is more than a legislator; he’s a neighbor who gets things done. From securing essential resources for children with disabilities to cutting through the red tape that burdens small businesses, people describe him as effective, fair, and genuinely invested in the well-being of every family.
“Integrity Above All”
Above all, the most common description of Norm is principled. In a world of loud politics, supporters appreciate his quiet “spirit of service.” He prioritizes solving real-world problems over seeking influence, maintaining a reputation for honesty and fairness throughout his decade of service to the state.
Quotes from Those Who Know Him
“Norm doesn’t just focus on the state-level view; he listens to our local needs and actively partners with our city to get things done. Whether it’s respecting local control or supporting our plans for growth, Norm has been a collaborative, effective partner for our community. A legislator who understands the importance of local issues is vital, and I am proud to have him fighting for us at the Capitol.”
Katrice McKay, Chair, Provo City Council
“I’ve worked closely with Norm on the critical infrastructure and growth planning our residents deserve. Norm listens to local leaders, respects our vision, and uses his economic expertise to make sure we’re building a foundation that lasts. He is a steadfast partner for the cities he represents at the Capitol, and I am proud to have him on our team.”
Mike Mendenhall, Mayor, Spanish Fork
“Norm is a smart and thoughtful representative. I appreciate his fiscally conservative approach to state issues.”
David Shipley, Provo City Council
“‘Norm is an influential and effective lawmaker that has led out on critical issues for Utah. His conservative track record has helped keep Utah strong.”
Brad Wilson, Speaker of the House, Utah
“I am grateful to have someone with Norm’s caliber representing us in the Legislature. He is always willing to listen to our perspectives concerning public education policy, funding, and governance.”
Shauna Warnick, Nebo School District Board of Education
“I have known Norm for many years, and Norm is a good friend to our local school districts. He understands the importance of local control and listens to the concerns of our board.”
John Taylor, Nebo School District Board of Education
“Norm is very responsive and really accessible. I appreciate his support of Provo’s students through strong state funding of the WPU.”
Rebecca Nielsen, Provo School District Board of Education, Vice President
“Norm is easy to communicate with, especially during a busy legislative session. Whenever I have questions he is willing to answer them. Vote for Norm! 🗳”
Teri McCabe, Provo School District Board of Education
“It has been my pleasure to work with Norm Thurston for the past seven years both as Governor and Lt. Governor. What I have appreciated most is his careful and analytic approach to reviewing and crafting public policy. He has solid conservative values and makes sure to point out how proposals and policies stack up against those values. I have always respected his wise and thoughtful analysis.
“It is refreshing to work with someone who has so many skills and broad-based knowledge but is not seeking to move along the path of political power. I hope the voters of District 62 will support Norm to make sure that they continue to be represented with the level of principle-based experience they deserve.”
Spencer Cox, Governor of Utah
“Norm Thurston has been a strong advocate for increased flexible funding for our schools. He trusts that educators, not government, know how to best use funds for their individual classrooms.
“He has continually supported efforts to give the power back to the teachers within their own classrooms and let them do what they are trained to do- teach. His approach to education is to allow local schools to make decisions based on the best interests of their own students within the communities in which they live.”
Kathy Mesenbrink, Provo School District, Elementary School Teacher
“Norm Thurston has been a strong advocate for increased flexible funding for our schools. I appreciate how he takes real teacher input into account when dealing with educational issues. He cares about the people in our community and their needs. He serves our community to the best of his ability!”
Lisa Galindo, Provo School District, Elementary School Teacher
“It was my pleasure to work with Dr. Norm Thurston on the Governor’s Initiative on the Uninsured. Norm has a brilliant mind, easily grasping the principles and problems of this initiative. He was a valuable resource to the Governor’s office and a leader in the creation of solutions for small businesses and their employees. He was extremely effective in educating stakeholders regarding the public policy issues that the uninsured present.”
Alayne Peterson McCormick
“In this time of turmoil about ‘health reform’, Norm Thurston stands out as one of the most knowledgeable persons in the State of Utah about this complex issue. He is a health economist with a heart, and he can be counted on to work to improve access to affordable care for those who don’t have it now, but without the yoke of federal bureaucracy.”
David N. Sundwall, M. D., Former Executive Director, Utah Dept of Health
“Norm Thurston is always willing to help address critical needs in Provo and takes on difficult challenges. He has supported the Utah State Hospital employees in getting better pay and is making a real difference for people who need critical mental health services. I support Norm Thurston.”
Devin Patrick, Provo Resident and Employee, Utah Department of Government Operations
“Rep. Thurston does an incredible job advocating for children with disabilities. He made us feel heard and valued, and he played a helpful role in getting us access to additional resources for our disabled son. He does a great job representing Utah families. He gets stuff done!”
Brian and Jennifer Miller
“Norm Thurston is a huge supporter of small businesses. I have appreciated his efforts to reduce government burden and regulation and to help businesses thrive in a difficult environment. Because he runs a small business himself, he understands what it takes to be successful and why unnecessary government regulation needs to go away.”
Chef Chad Pritchard, Provo Small Business Owner
“I’ve known and had the personal benefit of working along side Norm for the past several years, both in volunteer service organizations as well as professionally with our independent careers. I know Norm to demonstrate among many qualities the strong spirit of service, self motivation, positive attitude, open mindedness and dependability. I personally enjoy opportunities to engage Norm and consider him a good leader and mentor in many settings”
Ken Kuhni, Provo
“Norm Thurston played an important role in Utah’s health reform efforts including persuading the Federal government to allow Utah to pursue its own exchange efforts. He has been instrumental in developing groundbreaking processes that have allowed Utah to be a national leader in health care reform. His leadership in health policy nativities is respected by government and private sector health care and health insurance professionals around the state and country.”
John T. Nielsen, Former Sr Advisor to the Governor on Health Care Reform
“Norm Thurston is one of those unique people who leaves things better than when he found them. Add to that skill, a real knowledge of Capitol Hill and proven problem solving skills and I think Norm will soon be one of Utah’s most effective Legislators.”
David Clark, Utah Speaker of the House 2008-2011
“Norm exemplifies honesty, fairness, and the ability to grasp complex issues. He will use these qualities to address problems in education, budgets, and health care. Norm’s well-known dedication to service in the community demonstrates that he will be successful at the state level.”
David and Carolyn Wright, Provo
“Norm approaches issues from a private sector viewpoint. A true conservative, he seeks to make government more efficient and more responsive. I have loved working with Norm because he wants to know what’s best for the customer. One idea alone saved Utah taxpayers millions of dollars as he cleverly played defense against Obamacare. We need this guy in the Legislature.”
Greg Bell, Former Lieutenant Governor and former State Senator
“What I like about Norm is that he shows up, does the work, and treats people with respect. He does his homework, is incredibly thorough, and brings a level of knowledge that gives me real confidence in his leadership—he’s exactly the kind of leader we need right now.”
Curtis Koelling, Springville Resident, 2026 UCRP Delegate
“As a mother of six and the owner of a family-owned and operated business, I deeply appreciate Representative Norm Thurston’s commitment to policies that strengthen families, support education, and uphold fiscal responsibility. His consistent dedication to conservative values and careful stewardship of taxpayer dollars reflects the kind of leadership our community needs. I am proud to support Norm Thurston who represents House District 62 with integrity and purpose.”
Sara Harvey, Springville Resident and 2026 UCRP Delegate
“I am impressed that Norm is highly competent, informed, and consistently attentive to his constituents!”
Larry StClair, Springville Resident and 2026 UCRP Delegate
“What I like about Norm Thurston is that he is honestly committed to being a powerful voice for our community at the Capitol. A fiscal conservative, Norm works hard to help make the state of Utah more efficient and effective in improving the quality of life for all Utahns.”
Tom Morris, Springville Resident and 2026 UCRP Delegate
“What I like about Norm is that he has responded to my questions and concerns. He will take time to understand my questions, and then make a plan to address them. He stands out because he cares and acts.”
Mike O’Brien, Springville Resident and 2026 UCRP Delegate
“What I most appreciate about Norm are his efforts to communicate with us, especially his efforts to understand our views on bills being considered in the legislature.”
Steve Baxter, Springville Resident and 2026 UCRP Delegate
“We need Norm because he is a principled, respected leader who consistently gets things done and brings people together to move work forward.”
Beth Luthy, Nurse Practitioner
“One thing I really appreciate about Norm is that he has such a wealth of real world knowledge and experience. His schooling and experience as an economist is super evident when he makes all of the sound decisions he does. There is never a doubt in my mind that he’s thinking through the short and long term ramifications for every decision and every vote. He spends the time to read through and make the best decisions for Provo and Springville, and the families that call these towns home. For me this is what set him apart from his competition, that only seemed to provide platitudes and grand promises, without sound ideas behind them.”
Noah Duerst, Springville Resident
“I like Norm Thurston as my House Representative because he is always willing to have the conversation. Even when we don’t see eye to eye we can still show up and participate together.”
Tammy Flake, Springville Resident