Jenny Wilson (politician)

Early career

Wilson's background is as a leadership, public relations and media consultant. She has held positions in administration, fundraising and project management for the Sundance Institute and Film Festival, the Sundance Group, the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Games, Voices for Utah Children, and the University of Utah’s John A. Moran Eye Center.

In 1991, she served at the federal level as assistant press secretary to U.S. Rep. Les AuCoin (D-OR) and from 1992–1996 as chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Bill Orton (D-UT). She assisted the Democratic Caucus of the Utah State Legislature in 1998.

Salt Lake County Council

Wilson served two non-consecutive terms on the Salt Lake County Council, once from 2005 to 2011, and again from 2014 to 2019. On the Council, Wilson supported policy initiatives for ethics reform and open space preservation, and an initiative that provides health benefits to the partners of LGBT county employees. She served as a member of the Salt Lake County Council of Governments and as a board member of the Unified Fire Authority. She also co-founded the Jordan River Commission.

Wilson's board and committee assignments included the Sundance Institute Utah Advisory Board, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Discovery Gateway: Utah Children’s Museum, and Salt Lake Community Action.

2018 U.S. Senate campaign

Main article: 2018 United States Senate election in Utah

In July 2017, Wilson announced her intention to run in 2018 for the U.S. Senate against Orrin Hatch. In January 2018, Hatch announced he would retire at the end of his seventh term, leaving the seat open. Wilson raised nearly $140,000 in the second-quarter fundraising period. The Republican Party eventually selected 2012 presidential nominee Mitt Romney to run against Wilson to succeed Hatch.

Wilson lost the election on November 6, 2018, to Romney by 336,674 votes. Wilson had raised and spent just under $1 million on her campaign, compared to Romney's $5 million.

Mayor of Salt Lake County

Selection and elections

On January 25, 2019, Salt Lake County Democratic central committee members selected Wilson to serve the remainder of the mayoral term of Ben McAdams, who won election to Congress in the 2018 midterms and resigned to assume his congressional seat. She was sworn in on January 29, 2019 at the Salt Lake County Government Center.

In 2020, Wilson was re-elected to a full term as County Mayor, defeating Republican Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs by 37,463 votes.

In 2024 She was re-elected to a second full term, defeating Republican Erin Rider by 48,902 votes.

Tenure

Wilson has announced plans to form a new Office of Environmental Services in the county government to focus on improving air quality. Wilson has filed comments with the Utah state Supreme Court asking for DACA recipients (known as "Dreamers") to practice law in Utah.

Personal life

Raised in Salt Lake City, one of five children, Wilson is the daughter of Ted Wilson, mayor of Salt Lake City from 1976–1985, and Kathy Wilson, an artist and small business owner. She graduated from East High School in 1983 and the University of Utah in 1988, and received a Masters in Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government in 1998. In 2013, she produced and directed a documentary film, The Grand Rescue, about a dramatic three-day rescue by park rangers, one of whom was her father, on the North Face of the Grand Teton.

Wilson and her husband, Trell Rohovit, have two children.

References

References

1. Dethman, Leigh. (September 6, 2006). "Wilson is hoping to follow in her father's footsteps". Deseret News (Salt Lake City).
2. Tanner, Courtney. (March 19, 2017). "Utah Democrat Jenny Wilson appointed to national party transition team". [[The Salt Lake Tribune]].
3. Atkins, Josh. (January 29, 2019). ["Jenny Wilson sworn in as Salt Lake County Mayor"](https://www.abc4.com/news/local-news/jenny-wilson-sworn-in-as-salt-lake-county-mayor/1737145711 }}{{Dead link). ABC 4.
4. Larsen, Leia. (November 5, 2020). "Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson wins first election to the post as challenger concedes". Salt Lake Tribune.
5. (8 September 2017). "Jenny Wilson, Senate candidate, sees 'chaos and havoc' in Washington". Swift Communications, Inc..
6. "Jenny Wilson". Utah Democrats.
7. "Jenny Wilson says progressives stands fine fit for Salt Lake". Deseret News Publishing Company.
8. Hughes, Siobhan. (January 2, 2018). "Sen. Orrin Hatch announces he will retire at end of term".
9. Bowman, Bridget. (July 17, 2017). "Salt Lake Democrat Announces Challenge to Orrin Hatch". [[Roll Call]].
10. [https://web.archive.org/web/20181107073848/https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900040696/mitt-romney-claims-victory-against-jenny-wilson-in-utah-senate-race.html "Mitt Romney is headed to Washington after all — as U.S. senator for Utah" By Dennis Romboy, Deseret News, Published: November 6, 2018]
11. [https://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary?cycle=2018&id=UTS1 Open Secrets Utah Senate 2018 Race]
12. "Salt Lake County Democrats elect Jenny Wilson as mayor to replace Rep. Ben McAdams".
13. "Jenny Wilson takes the oath of office as new Salt Lake County mayor". The Salt Lake Tribune.
14. "Newly sworn-in Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson vows to have listening ear". Deseret Media Company.
15. Larsen, Leia. (November 5, 2020). "Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson wins first election to the post as challenger concedes". Salt Lake Tribune.
16. "2024 Certified Election Results".
17. "'I feel incredibly prepared': Meet Salt Lake County's new mayor". Deseret News.
18. [https://fox13now.com/2020/01/22/mayors-erin-mendenhall-and-jenny-wilson-ask-utah-courts-to-let-dreamers-practice-law/ Mayors Erin Mendenhall and Jenny Wilson ask Utah courts to let ‘Dreamers’ practice law]
19. "Jenny Wilson – Salt Lake County".
20. "'The Grand Rescue' Tells True Story of Legendary Grand Teton Rescue". [[KUED]].