Minorities in Utah underrepresented
Election changes little; Legislature still dominated by white males
As with men, Republican women in the Legislature outnumber Democratic women. However, women, who make up roughly half the state's population, constitute only about 19 percent of the Legislature.
Rep. Roz McGee, D-Salt Lake, said there are nine Democratic women in the House — about half of the 19 House Democrats, and that count could increase by one if Laura Black successfully challenges a close defeat.
"There's no question that the perspective of women is underrepresented," McGee said. "We have very good women on both sides of the aisle. ... I think that women bring a great deal of experience and good judgment and compassion. The more women the better."
Racial and ethnic minorities are underrepresented as well. The Census Bureau estimates racial and ethnic minorities comprise about 16.4 percent of the state's population. However, minorities comprise only about 3 percent of the Legislature.
The only minority group to gain representation was gays and lesbians when Democrat Christine Johnson was elected to the House. Johnson's election brings the number of gays and lesbians to three, making them more represented than any single ethnic minority group.
However, Johnson isn't worried that her minority status could slow her down on Capitol Hill as she prepares for her first term.
"The work I've done in campaigning to reach out and establish a stronger relationship and friendship with Democrats and to reach out to Republicans will pay off," she said. "I'm ready."
After Rep. Duane Bourdeaux, D-Salt Lake, stepped down after the 2006 session, and George Garwood lost his bid for a House seat, there will be no black representation for the first time in at least a decade.
Rep. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake, was elected to the Senate, adding a Hispanic voice to that body.
"One of the things I hope to offer is diversity, and that diversity comes from certainly my political party, it comes from my profession in the law and my ethnic background," Sen.-elect Romero said.
Rep. Mark Wheatley, D-Murray, was re-elected and will be the House's only Hispanic. Rep. Curt Oda, R-Clearfield, remains the only Asian lawmaker.
With the exception of Oda, who lives in Davis County, all the ethnic minorities represent Salt Lake County districts, which the census estimates at 22 percent minority. Weber County's ethnic population is just below 20 percent, yet that county has no minority representation.
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