Dr. Wales Nematollahi
Not Left. Not Right. FORWARD.
Candidate Bio
I am a native of the East Bay in California. I have lived in Maryland, Virginia, Alabama, and Texas. I have lived in Tooele since 2004 and am married to a native Utahn.
I am a U. S. Army veteran; I served over six years as a chemical officer.
I have earned graduate degrees in biology [MS, Georgetown University; PhD, The University of Texas at Austin] and I am a conservationist. I have taught biology at the college /university level. I am also a certified medical technologist (ASCP). I have extensive experience in microbiology, to include food microbiology at the FDA, several years in clinical microbiology at two hospitals, and 10 ½ years in biodefense at Dugway Proving Ground.
Campaign Information
My priorities are the concerns of my constituents, not party affiliation. I want to involve all stakeholders to make decisions. I will work within the Forward Party and across the aisles to accomplish goals.
The Housing Shortage and Affordability Problem
Utah lacks least 30,000 needed housing units. Since 2018, Utah’s median income has risen 34.9% but the median home price has risen 59.7%.
Tooele County’s population has increased 54% since 2010.
Zoning often prohibits more multifamily housing and small single-family accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
Housing Shortage and Affordability Solutions:
Upgrade, not demolish, older units, which costs about 3/5 of building new affordable rental units.
Set aside about 10% of multifamily housing for low-income families.
Change zoning to allow multifamily homes and ADUs.
The Water Shortage Problem
Most of Utah is in severe to extreme drought.
Water shortage also affects the housing shortage in suburban, semi-rural, and rural Utah.
Water Shortage Solutions
Save the Great Salt Lake and the river basins in Utah by strengthen protections for conserved water rights and consulting with all stakeholders, including Native Americans.
Use water for farms, ranches, businesses, and housing more efficiently.
Follow Utah’s Agricultural Water Optimization Program.
Use recommendations in SlowtheFlow.org for residents.
Assist people to change to water-saving landscaping.
Give incentives and technical assistance to change to drip irrigation and other newer methods.
Establish pilot programs for lower-water perennial crops, such as kernza, a perennial intermediate wheatgrass that can thrive on less than half the water of traditional alfalfa.
Large data centers must use huge amounts of water and will raise mean local temperatures measurably; ban them.
Utah Public Schools Resource and Safety Problems
Utah Schools are currently ranked 39th in safety and even lower in resources.
Utah Public Schools Resource and Safety Solutions
Involve local and regional law enforcement actively to improve the safety of students, staff, and faculty.
Determine which resources are deficient then find ways to fund them.
Utah is one of only nine states to tax Social Security
Social Security does not always increase as much as inflation; Abolish it.
Other Problems and Solutions
A lack of East-West Rail or other efficient transportation across northern Utah; Involve local and tribal consent and consider the 2034 Olympic timeline.
Highway safety; Use more reflective pavement markers, more signs on Utah highways, and build better-banked ramps.
Election reform and fair redistricting without gerrymandering.
Judicial independence.
Forward Party Values
RULE OF LAW
Members of the Forward Party uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and respect the outcomes of our free and fair elections.
SUPPORT AND STRENGTHEN DEMOCRACY
Forward believes that our democracy works only when voters can make informed decisions and our systems are set up to empower and elevate the will of the voters. Elected officials must be accountable to their constituents.
AMERICAN LEADERSHIP
It is necessary for America to serve as an example of democracy and individual freedoms. Building alliances and stabilizing democracy across the globe is key to maintaining a safe world for ourselves and our children.
BUILD FROM THE BOTTOM UP
Forward is building an organization designed to empower voters and local leaders. Forward won’t dictate a rigid, top-down policy platform and expect it to work for every community across the country.
USE DATA TO DRIVE SOLUTIONS
Forward cares more about solving problems than being right. Good ideas come from the left, right, and center—or from completely new directions. Data, research, and a commitment to development should drive our discussions, and policy should be enacted with measurable outcomes.
INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
America has long won the global competition for talent and innovation. Our culture of entrepreneurship has constantly improved living conditions both at home and abroad. The Forward Party is dedicated to ensuring that good new ideas are allowed to thrive.
LIBERTY, RESPONSIBILITY, AND ENGAGEMENT
At the Forward Party, we believe that personal responsibility includes duties to care for our families however we define them, uplift our communities, and contribute to the greater good. It is through balancing our liberty with our duty to others in which the true American spirit thrives.
RESPECT AND DIGNITY
Forward believes in approaching one another with respect for the dignity that lives in each of us. Our policies and campaigns will seek to elevate and empower people to seek their unique version of the American Dream.
ETHICS, INTEGRITY, AND COMPASSION
Forward leaders, members, and candidates are expected to act ethically and with integrity. That said, we are all fallible and make mistakes. At Forward, we are expected to admit them and work to rectify any harm we have caused.
Learn more at ForwardParty.com
