Majority leader to resign from Utah House of Representatives
Oct 26, 2021, 6:45 PM | Updated: 6:56 pm
FILE: On the same day the Utah’s Senate unanimously passed a resolution to bring an NHL franchise to the Beehive state, the governor, Utah Jazz owner Ryan Smith, the House and Senate president and the sponsors of some legislation centered around the NHL were all on hand for a virtual meeting with the league’s commissioner, Gary Bettman. (Jason Olson, Deseret News Archives)
(Jason Olson, Deseret News Archives)
Rep. Francis Gibson, the Utah House Majority Leader, is resigning. He represented District 65 in Utah County that included Mapleton, Springville and Spanish Fork.
Gibson said in a press release that he is stepping down to focus on his career and family.
Rep. Gibson has not only been my right-hand man and a trusted colleague, but he has also become one of my closest friends. He has worked tirelessly to find practical and workable solutions to some of Utah’s most difficult challenges and Utah is better off because of his service. https://t.co/vR40A9D3h4
— Speaker Brad Wilson (@BradWilsonGOP) October 26, 2021
He will be officially resigned on Nov. 8 and the House Majority Caucus will fill his position in mid-November. He spent 13 years in the Utah House of Representatives.
“While I have really loved my time in the Legislature, it has come with significant sacrifice. I have missed important family events and key moments in my children’s lives. I have given my best to so many people and to so many great causes but many times I have not given my best with those who matter most, my family,” Gibson said in the release.
The release said Gibson has advocated for those experiencing homelessness and disabilities and championed the inland port in development and reimagining Utah’s tax structure.
After 17 years of public service, House Majority Leader Francis Gibson announced he will resign from the Utah House of Representatives.
We will miss him, but sincerely wish him all the best. pic.twitter.com/h8p11uCtV4
— Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox (@GovCox) October 26, 2021
“Rep. Gibson has not only been my right-hand man and a trusted colleague, but he has also become one of my closest friends,” House Speaker Brad Wilson said. “He has worked tirelessly to find practical and workable solutions to some of Utah’s most difficult challenges and Utah is better off because of his service.”
Gibson was elected to be House Majority Leader in 2018 after serving as House Majority Whip. He previously served on the Mapleton City Council.
He is a hospital administrator.
The Utah County Republican Party will hold a special election to fill the vacant District 65 “later this year” according to the release.
