(KCPW News) Women will now be leading Salt Lake County’s two major political parities. Mary Bishop was elected as chair of the Salt Lake County Democratic party on Saturday, following the election of Julie Dole as chair of the county GOP. Bishop, born and raised in Salt Lake City, says she has always been a Democrat, but really became active in politics as a small business owner trying to find health care for her and her employees. She says a lunch at the Women’s Democratic Club was her deciding factor to run.
“Talking to several ladies at the table I was at, we were discussing women and politics and how we’re losing; there are so few women being elected,” she explains. “They looked at me and they said ‘what are you going to do about it?’ And so, that was one of the final moments where I said ‘how can I ask people, women especially to run if I am not willing to step up to the plate?’”
Bishop says her primary goals are to continue to see a Democrat as Salt Lake County Mayor after Peter Corroon leaves office, along with redefining the Democratic message.
“As far as I can tell with the Republicans, to me, they’re looking like a party of elitists who passed 477, closed the liquor stores, they’re the people who underfund the schools, and believe me when you are talking about working families your talking about a good funded public education, because that is the root of the American dream, and you must have funding for that,” says Bishop.
Bishop has previously managed campaigns for Utah House Minority Leader David Litvack and Democratic Senator Ben McAdams. She will serve as chair for the next two years.
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