Verona Mauga is a Democratic representative for Utah House District 31, serving West Valley City and Taylorsville in Salt Lake County. Elected in 2024, she made history as the first Samoan elected to the Utah State Legislature and the first Samoan woman elected to any state legislature in the continental United States. As a small business owner of My Choice Utah and Sagato Bakery & Cafe, and co-founder of Le Malu—an organization empowering Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities—she advocates for economic growth, small businesses, public safety, housing, education, healthcare access, and underrepresented voices. In her first session, she passed key bills including HB 358 , HB 248 , and HB 290 . She serves on the Economic Development & Technology , Judiciary standing committees, Economic Development & Technology Appropriations Committee, and Health & Human Services Interim Committee.

Born in Kahuku, Hawaii, she moved to West Valley City as a child and has deep roots in Utah's west side communities.

Education and Political Experience

Mauga has a professional background in mental and behavioral health, informing her compassionate policy approach. Politically, she served as past president and civic engagement director of OCA Utah, and chair of the Utah AAPI Democratic Caucus from 2014 to 2020. Her legislative priorities emphasize innovation, equitable opportunities, mental health support, LGBTQIA+ rights, and addressing needs of marginalized groups. Began service January 1, 2025.