Utah's Constitution provides that a part-time citizen legislature meets for 45 days each winter, then return home to live under the laws they create. The Utah State Senate and House of Representatives together comprise the citizen legislature of the state of Utah.
The 58th Senate (2009 - 2010) is made up twenty-four men and five women with twenty-one Republicans and eight Democrats. Their occupations include eight attorneys, eight businessmen/businesswomen, three bankers, one property manager, three former educators, one engineer, two farmer/ranchers, two CPA's, a homemaker, a nurse, a dentist and an orthodontist, a police chief, and a non-profit director and two are retired. Their combined state legislative experience totals 254 years. Eleven of the 29 senators served in the House of Representatives prior to being elected to the Senate.
Senator Lyle Hillyard has the distinction of serving the longest in the Senate, 25 years thus far. He served two terms in the House of Representatives prior to his election to the Senate in 1984. Other senior senators (served more than two terms) include Senators Gene Davis, Peter Knudson, Howard Stephenson, John L. Valentine and Michael Waddoups.
Do you want to serve? The state constitution outlines the qualifications to become a senator.
- A citizen of the United States
- A resident of the state of Utah for three years
- At least 25 years old
- A resident of the district from which they are elected for six months
- A qualified voter in that district.
The 29 members of the Senate are elected to four-year terms, with half up for election every two years.
Please contact us anytime.