Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, D-Salt Lake City, is pictured on the first day of the legislative session at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch)
The results for the 15 Utah Senate seats on the ballot may not yet have been certified, but with many races apparently decided, Utah Senate Democrats opted for minority leadership during a caucus meeting Friday. While some of the names may be familiar, there was a bit of restructuring in an all-female group of leaders.
Democratic Sen. Luz Escamilla of Salt Lake City returns as minority leader, a spot she has held since 2023. She is a banker who sponsored several health care bills in the last general session, including an annual update to the state’s medical cannabis law and legislation intended to include coverage for doula services under Medicaid.
She is also a resident of Salt Lake City’s west side and has advocated for air quality regulations and child care programs.
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“I am honored to continue to serve as Senate Minority Leader and to continue to serve on the Senate Minority Organization to represent and advocate for all Utahns, especially those who often feel underrepresented and underrepresented in our Capitol,” Escamilla said in a news release. “We will continue to work with the majority to create good policy – always upholding the integrity, respect and values that strengthen our Senate and our state.”
Sen. Karen Kwan, D-Taylorsville, an associate professor of psychology at Salt Lake Community College, will now serve as minority whip. Kwan’s seat was challenged by West Valley City Republican Rep. Judy Weeks-Rohner. However, unofficial results show Kwan with a lead of about 13 percentage points in that match.
This is a change from last year, when Sen. Kathleen Riebe, D-Cottonwood Heights, served in that role. Riebe, a teacher, will now serve as the minority group manager, replacing Sen. Stephanie Pitcher, D-Salt Lake City, in that leadership position. Pitcher’s district was not on the ballot this election cycle. She is expected to keep her Senate seat until 2027.
Sen. Jen Plumb, D-Salt Lake City, a physician who was elected to the Legislature in 2022, was re-elected as minority assistant whip.
Democrats in the House of Representatives have not met to elect their next group of leaders. More information may be available after a caucus meeting scheduled for November 19.
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