Thus far, six Utah legislators — 4 Republicans and two Democrats — have determined to retire in 2022.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Rep. Tim Hawkes talks together with his intern Paige Walton, within the Utah Home of Representatives, Friday, March 2, 2018.
A high Home Republican is probably going calling it quits this 12 months as lawmakers start to — or to not — file for reelection.
Rep. Tim Hawkes, R-Centerville, chair of the highly effective Home Guidelines Committee, says he doesn’t plan to file for reelection. Thus far, six lawmakers have determined to name it quits in 2022.
Hawkes confirmed he was not operating for a fifth time period in 2022 on Monday night however left the door barely ajar if he modified his thoughts.
“Whereas I’ve left a window open to rethink, at current, I don’t plan to file to run for reelection,” Hawkes stated in a textual content message.
Monday was the primary day for candidates to file to run forward of November’s election. The submitting interval ends Friday at 5 p.m, so the clock is ticking if Hawkes does an about-face.
That is Hawkes’ fourth time period within the legislature, first profitable in 2014. Present Home Majority Chief Mike Schultz, R-Hooper, was part of Hawkes’ freshman class.
Hawkes had the arduous process of dealing with liquor payments for the Home Majority throughout his tenure.
“I really feel the necessity to pursue private {and professional} alternatives which might be simply too onerous to steadiness with continued legislative service. It’s been an amazing alternative and privilege for me to characterize the residents in Home District 18 for the previous eight years,” Hawkes continued.
Whereas Hawkes is the highest-profile retirement from the Utah Legislature thus far, different lawmakers have introduced they gained’t be again in 2023.
Two Democrats introduced they have been leaving Capitol Hill.
Rep. Suzanne Harrison, D-Draper, introduced Monday she was leaving the Legislature to run for the at-large Salt Lake County Council seat held by Republican Richard Snelgrove.
Harrison was a sufferer of redistricting. The GOP-controlled legislature eradicated the Draper district she has served for 2 phrases and into the Republican district held by Rep. Jeff Stenquist, R-Draper.
In a textual content message to supporters, Sen. Jani Iwamoto, D-Salt Lake Metropolis, stated Monday morning she had determined to retire after two phrases. She was first elected in 2014 after serving on the Salt Lake County Council. She known as her choice to depart workplace “each tough and easy on the similar time.”
“I can say with confidence that I’ve cherished my service for the county and the state,” Iwamoto stated.
Three different Republican legislators revealed their plan to retire from the Legislature earlier than the 2022 session. Rep. Merrill Nelson, R-Grantsville, Rep. Mike Winder, R-West Valley Metropolis and Rep. Lowry Snow, R-Santa Clara, all are usually not in search of operating for his or her seats this 12 months.