Wright quoted Petersen’s response to Handley’s question but not Whitlock’s. Whitlock said: “Listening is very important in representing your constituency, not just your voters, but everyone in your district.” Whitlock practices this principle.

Recently, I attended a small cottage meeting with Whitlock where he did nothing but listen, spending the entire 90 minutes asking questions of the Provo residents in attendance to be sure he understood our concerns. Whitlock was also one of the first people on the scene at night when the recent mudslide flooded a church building just a couple of blocks from my home. He spent hours and hours helping with clean-up, though you wouldn’t know it from his public posts on the mudslide. He serves genuinely and quietly.

Whitlock’s views on housing have been misrepresented; he supports preserving our neighborhoods while tackling housing affordability. He will prioritize residents–who are also his friends and neighbors–not developers. He supports conservative principles of reducing unnecessary regulation and creating opportunities for more individuals and families to become homeowners. He does not want big developers taking over our city.

If you’re wondering about where Whitlock stands on any issue, please don’t believe misrepresentations circulated by his detractors. Before you make up your mind about your vote, talk to Whitlock himself — he’s available, he listens, and he has a thorough knowledge of Provo and its concerns. If you reach out to him to ask your questions and express your concerns, I think you’ll find, as I did, that Jeff Whitlock is an authentic, thoughtful, intelligent, and responsive leader. He wants the best for our community and will put in the work to listen to and represent all District 2 constituents, not just those who agree with him or vote for him. This is why he’s earned my support.

Meridith Reed is a lifelong Provo resident.