Representative Ariel Defay

Ariel Defay is an American politician and businesswoman serving as a Republican member of the Utah House of Representatives for the 15th district. She is a lifelong member of the Utah and Davis County community and currently works as the Vice President of Business Development at Defay Orthodontics, a small business in the region.

Education

Defay earned her Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Government from Utah State University and her Master of Public Administration from Ohio University.

Political Experience

Defay has extensive experience in political campaigns and legislative work. She served as a Senior Legislative Aide to the Republican majority in the Ohio House of Representatives from 2005 to 2007. In Utah campaigns, she worked as the Marketing Director and Deputy Campaign Manager for Spencer Cox's 2020 gubernatorial election and as a County Field Representative for Mitt Romney's 2018 U.S. Senate campaign.

Defay was elected to the Utah House of Representatives in 2024, winning her district race with 75.7% of the vote against Josh Smith of the United Utah Party. During the 2025 legislative session, she floor sponsored SB76, a bill banning minors from marrying someone four or more years their senior, demonstrating her focus on protective legislation for vulnerable populations.