After serious consideration, I have decided to withdraw from the race for State Senate District 24. Most readers don't know or care who I am, but I thought I'd explain my thought process in the hopes that it might be of some use. Some people are thinking about difficult decisions.
The late Harvard business professor Clayton Christensen asked the question, “How do you measure your life?” He argued that people should be cautious in their career pursuits and that focusing on money will not bring them fulfillment.
I spent the first part of my professional career doing what Christensen called “don'ts”: chasing money, doing things like banking, big law, private equity, and wealth management. How could I know better? Christensen had not yet written a book.
About 10 years ago when I read his book, I was the CFO of a family office. I was young. Succeeded. I had reached the peak of my career and financial success was almost guaranteed to get me through the rest of my life. However, I read this book and it didn't really suit me. I didn't feel like I was using my time and talent to “do good.” So…I left.
Along with some friends, partners, and colleagues, I rebuilt my career at a small business and ran for office and won a seat in the Utah State Senate. After a few years, business and politics were great. I was still young. It was still a success. I was “doing well.” I lived a planned life and was proud to be recognized for it.
Then the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic occurred. It destroyed our business. I was facing corporate bankruptcy and personal bankruptcy. It was difficult. I didn't blame the pandemic, and I still don't. I condemn the government's response to the pandemic. But I was in a unique situation where I had to do something about it. So…I did.
The Legislature created a commission, which I chaired, to promote the continued operation of the state's economy. And we worked with the executive branch to use data, not anecdotes, in decision-making. Ultimately, we helped our state overcome the pandemic with one of the fastest recoveries in the nation.
2020 was also an election year, with a new state government elected. I was asked to continue the work I was doing part-time as a legislator full-time as the Governor's Office of Economic Development. I had just finished my first term in the state senate, where I was the Republican majority party, and it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. So…I said yes.
The next two years were all “heads down, pencils up.” Thanks to the support of our dedicated employees in the Administration, the Legislature, and the Governor's Office, Utah is and remains the greatest state in the world. We are number one in everything that matters. I thought it would take three years to accomplish our agenda in the governor's office. It was completed in 2 times. So…I left to take on some new challenges.
That's how we got to where we are today. I'm still thinking about how I want to evaluate my life. In January, I filed again to run for state senate. And like all the previous candidates, I think I have a good chance of winning.
I believe that public service is a calling, and I admire those who are willing to fulfill that calling. I believe that government affects more people's lives than anything else, for better or worse. But I also believe I can find ways to serve outside of the statehouse.
After long consideration and discussion with my family, I am dedicating my next chapter to them. Now, that's how I want to evaluate my life. So…I have decided not to run for Senate this term.
However, I do not intend to back down from my strong interest in Utah's future. In my role as husband and father, I will continue to advocate for improving the lives and livelihoods of Utahns.
I have a wonderful spouse who always supports me and together we have 6 wonderful children. I'm excited to be more involved in their lives, especially those who are still at home, and if I can maybe motivate them to spend a few years in public service as well, I think that's the best thing for my life. That would be a good idea.
Dan Hemmert is a candidate for the Utah State Senate, a former Utah State Senate Republican Majority Whip and former executive director of the Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity. He lives with his family in Orem, where he works as a consultant and small business owner.
