Together for Change

Hi, I’m Drew Howells— a retired military veteran, policy advocate, and proud resident of House District 39.

My life’s work has been service. First in uniform, and later in advocacy, communications, and public policy— working to make government more accountable, more humane, and more responsive to the people it is supposed to serve.

I spent more than a decade serving in the Air Force and Utah Army National Guard in public affairs, where I learned how to translate complex systems into plain language, how public trust is built, and how leadership is supposed to look when the stakes are real. Later, that same instinct carried into policy work, including helping draft Proposition 2 and the Utah Medical Cannabis Act— work rooted in compassion, patient access, and evidence-based care.

As a disabled veteran, I also know what it means to live on the receiving end of broken systems. I’ve spent nearly two decades navigating healthcare, accessibility, bureaucracy, and the economic realities that come with chronic health challenges. That lived experience shapes how I see policy. It’s why I care so deeply about affordability, housing, healthcare, disability rights, veterans issues, and building systems that work for real people.

I’m running because too many Utahns feel like government has stopped listening to everyday people and started working for insiders, ideology, and systems that protect themselves. I believe government should solve real problems.

I often describe myself as a Star Trek liberal— not out of fandom or nostalgia, but because I believe in a future worth building. A future where poverty, hunger, and artificial scarcity are no longer accepted as inevitable. A future where curiosity is stronger than fear, where public systems are designed to serve people, and where “Infinite diversity in infinite combinations is our strength.” That is not just a cultural reference to me— it is a governing philosophy.

This campaign is about building that future here in Utah— lowering costs, expanding opportunity, protecting rights, and making government work for the people it is supposed to serve.

House District 39 deserves leadership focused on the real issues shaping people’s lives— and a vision big enough to help build a great big beautiful tomorrow, starting right now.

Join us in the journey towards a brighter future for Utah. Together, we stand for empathy, accountability, and the people’s right to affordable living.

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Black-and-white portrait of Drew Howells looking directly into the camera. He is leaning forward with his forearms crossed and resting in front of him, creating a relaxed, approachable posture. He has short hair, a full beard with lighter tones near the chin, and a calm, thoughtful expression. He is wearing a dark short-sleeve shirt layered over a light long-sleeve shirt, a smartwatch on one wrist, and a wedding band on his finger. The plain white background keeps the focus on his face and steady gaze.

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Get to know Drew Howells

Passionate Candidate for Utah HD39

Discover the vision and dedication driving Drew Howells for Utah HD39. With a focus on community welfare and progressive change, Howells is committed to representing the people's voice. Learn about the policies and initiatives that Drew advocates for, aiming to create a better future for all. Get involved and support a candidate who prioritizes transparency, equality, and sustainable growth.

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Color photo of Drew Howells kneeling beside his service dog, Sherman, in a bright indoor garden or sunroom. Drew is smiling and looking toward the camera, wearing glasses, a light gray Super Mario Bros. T-shirt, shorts, sneakers, and a smartwatch. Sherman is a light-colored Labrador retriever sitting calmly at his side, wearing a purple harness and leash. They are surrounded by plants, small stones on the ground, and large windows that let in natural light, creating a warm, relaxed, and friendly scene.

Building Utah’s Future Through Strong Public Schools

I believe public education should be the most funded, most protected, and most deeply resourced public good we have. No qualifiers. No apologies. If we say we care about the future, then our budgets, our policies, and our priorities should reflect that commitment. Education is the foundation everything else rests on—our economy, our democracy, and our shared quality of life. It is not an expense to be managed down. It is the smartest investment we can make in the kind of futu

(Photo courtesy of NuScale) Twenty-nine Utah municipalities are exploring small nuclear modular reactor technology to power their cities in a world without coal. This mockup shows an aerial view of the 12-module plant site at Idaho National Laboratory in Idaho Falls.

Utah’s Energy Future Starts Tomorrow - Why Nuclear (SMR's) Are a Good Thing

Over the past several months, I’ve heard from a lot of Utahns who are uneasy about Governor Spencer Cox’s plan and support for small modular nuclear reactors. The concerns are sincere, emotional, and understandable. For many people, the word “nuclear” immediately brings to mind images of Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, Fukushima, and a long history of secrecy, contamination, and public distrust. Those reactions didn’t come out of nowhere. They were earned by an earlier era of t

Empathy in Politics: A Moral Imperative for Strengthening Our Communities and Democracy

When I think about the role of empathy in politics, I am reminded of a simple but powerful truth from Matthew 25: caring for the “least of these among us” is not a political slogan. It is a core moral and civic responsibility that shapes how we govern and build community. As a candidate for the Utah legislature, I believe that true leadership requires more than party lines or policy debates. It demands a grounded commitment to recognizing the dignity of every person and under