Deidre Marie Henderson (née Ellingford; born September 4, 1974)[3] is an American politician serving as the ninth lieutenant governor of Utah since January 4, 2021. From 2013 to 2021, she served as member of the Utah State Senate for District 7, which is based in Spanish Fork, Utah.[4]
Deidre Henderson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 9th Lieutenant Governor of Utah | |
| Assumed office January 4, 2021 | |
| Governor | Spencer Cox |
| Preceded by | Spencer Cox |
| Member of the Utah State Senate from the 7th district | |
| In office January 1, 2013 – January 1, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Ross I. Romero |
| Succeeded by | Mike McKell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 4, 1974 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Gabe Henderson |
| Children | 5 |
| Education | Brigham Young University |
| Signature |  |
Career
editBefore joining the Utah State Senate, Henderson worked as a business consultant and was involved in U.S. Congressman Jason Chaffetz's 2008 campaign.[5]
Henderson started her political career working for the Jason Chaffetz election campaign.[6][7] In 2012, Henderson was selected from two candidates by the Republican convention and ran unopposed for the State Senate in the November 6, 2012 general election, winning with 27,257 votes.[8] This district formerly consisted of the East Bench of the Salt Lake Valley and was held by Democratic Senator Ross I. Romero who retired from the Senate in 2012. The Utah State Legislature's 2012 redistricting plan moved District 7 from the Salt Lake Valley to the southern portion of Utah County.[9]
Henderson was sworn into office in January 2013. In 2016, she was re-elected, defeating her Democratic opponent, Andrew Apsley, with 83.65% of the vote to Apsley's 16.35%.
In the Senate, Henderson served on the Committee on Rule. Revenue and Taxation, Education, Business, Labor, and Economic Development Appropriations, and Higher Education Appropriations.[10]
Henderson ran to replace Jason Chaffetz in the U.S. Congress representing Utah's 3rd congressional district in 2017. Henderson lost to State Representative Chris Herrod in the Republican convention.[11]
Henderson did not have a undergraduate degree before entering politics; she attended college, but stopped after marrying and having children. In 2014, while serving in the state senate, she began pursuing a bachelor's degree in history from Brigham Young University, which she continued after becoming lieutenant governor. She was able to earn course credits by serving an internship with the Lieutenant Governor's office, with Governor Spencer J. Cox listed as "internship supervisor."[12] She graduated from BYU in December 2021.[13]
Lieutenant Governor of Utah
editOn March 19, 2020, Henderson was selected as the running mate of incumbent lieutenant governor Spencer Cox in the 2020 Utah gubernatorial election Republican primary.[14][15] After Cox won the Republican primary, Henderson became the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor.[16] She was sworn in as lieutenant governor on January 4, 2021.
In 2024, Henderson endorsed Nikki Haley's presidential campaign.[17]
After the 2024 primary, Henderson refused to endorse Donald Trump.[18]
Personal life
editShe married Gabe Henderson and they have five children. Henderson is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
References
edit- ^ Utah Financial Disclosures or Conflict of Interest Form, Deidre Marie Henderson
- ^ New Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson once called Taylorsville home for several years
- ^ "Deidre Henderson's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
- ^ "Henderson, Deidre M." Salt Lake City, Utah: Utah State Legislature. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
- ^ "Deidre Henderson". Daily Herald. Archived from the original on November 19, 2012. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
- ^ "Deidre Henderson Facebook". Retrieved April 8, 2014.
- ^ "Henderson, Deidre M." Utah State Senate. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
- ^ "2012 General Canvass Report". Salt Lake City, Utah: Lieutenant Governor of Utah. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
- ^ "SB0125".
- ^ 🖉"Account Suspended". senatesite.com.
- ^ "Former state rep wins GOP nod for 3rd District special election to replace Chaffetz". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
- ^ "Utah Lieutenant Governor becomes an intern at state capitol". ABC4 Utah. January 22, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2021.
- ^ Lt. Governor celebrates graduation from BYU, KSL-TV (April 22, 2022).
- ^ "Spencer Cox picks his running mate in Utah's race for governor — state Sen. Deidre Henderson". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
- ^ "Spencer Cox picks Utah Sen. Deidre Henderson as running mate". KSLNewsRadio. March 19, 2020. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
- ^ "Spencer Cox wins Republican primary race for Utah governor over Jon Huntsman". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
- ^ KUTV, Brian Mullahy (January 11, 2024). "Utah's Lt. Gov., first lady endorse Republican Nikki Haley for president". KUTV. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
- ^ Stern, Emily (September 30, 2024). "Facing threats from GOP election doubters, would Utah's L.G. endorse Trump? Here's what she said". Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
Further reading
edit- Government officials visit Sierra Bonita in Nebo School District
- The Utah Capitol: A Vision of Pride and Beauty Speech given on the Utah Senate Floor by Senator Henderson
External links
edit- Deidre Henderson at Ballotpedia
- SB108: Protecting Birthing Centers from Protectionist Prohibitions Interview with Senator Henderson about her bill, SB108, from the 2016 Legislative Session
- Appearances on C-SPAN