Senator Luz Escamilla is a Democrat representing Utah State Senate District 10, which includes the Northwest Quadrant of Salt Lake City, West Valley City, and Magna. Originally from Mexico, she made history as the first Latina elected to the Utah State Senate and the first immigrant elected to the Utah State Legislature in 2008; she is now serving her fifth term as Senate Minority Leader and vice-chair of the Senate Ethics Committee. Her legislative priorities focus on healthcare access and costs, food security, air quality, transportation, affordable childcare, home visiting services, social determinants of health, and support for children and families; she is also a champion of religious freedom. Notable achievements include numerous awards such as the 2023 Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Salt Lake Community College, YWCA Community Builder & Champion and Legislator of the Year, Salt Lake Education Foundation Advocacy Award, Utah Library Association 2022 Legislative Champion, Hughes Cannon Award, Champion for Utah Children Award, and ASPA Distinguished Service Award. She serves on boards like Primary Children’s Hospital, Days of ’47 Rodeo, Hale Centre Theater, and Huntsman Cancer Institute, and co-chairs the Utah Women in the Economy Subcommittee and Utah Local Food Advisory Council.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Marketing and Master of Public Administration from the University of Utah.
• Professional Experience: Appointed by Governor Jon Huntsman in 2005 as the first director of the State Office of Ethnic Affairs; 13 years at Zions Bank as vice president of Community Development, Director of Business Resource Center, and Hispanic/Latino Market Manager; co-founder and manager of ESCATEC Solutions ; prior work as business and political consultant.
• Political Experience: Elected to Utah State Senate in 2008; Senate Democratic Minority Leader since 2022; extensive committee roles and leadership in community development initiatives.