Representative Jennifer Seelig was elected Monday as the new Democratic Leader of the Utah House of Representatives, and becomes the first woman to serve in the position. Seelig joins Republican Speaker of the House Rebecca Lockhart in a leadership position, and says she’s excited about the progress women have made in state government.
“We’ve got two women who will be leading the Utah House of Representatives. We still have a ways to go, with women making up about fifty percent of the population in Utah and our representation levels don’t quite meet that from a political standpoint. But we are getting there and this is something to celebrate,” she says.
Seelig is entering her fourth term representing District 23 in Salt Lake City. She previously served as House Whip and Caucus Manager, and says she believes the Caucus will work cohesively to achieve their goals.
“It’s been an honor to be chosen by such a great group of colleagues. I admire all of them for different reasons. And I would not have been able to be successful without their help and guidance. I’m also very appreciative of the people I’m honored to serve in District 23. I think it takes an entire district to help raise and support a legislator and elected official,”she says.
Seelig succeeds retiring Democratic Leader David Litvack, who served in the Utah House of Representatives for 12 years. Also elected to leadership are Representative Tim Cosgrove as the Democratic Whip; Representative Rebecca Chavez-Houck as Assistant Whip, and Representative Joel Briscoe as Caucus Manager.
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