A Republican state lawmaker in Utah, Rep. Kera Birkeland, unexpectedly resigned on Thursday, less than two months after securing re-election.
Birkeland was first appointed to the Utah House of Representatives in April 2020 and subsequently elected to a full term later that year. On November 5, she won re-election with 60% of the vote, defeating Democratic challenger Kris Campbell. However, on Thursday, she said her constituents deserved better than she could currently offer.
“The residents of District 4 have granted me a profound opportunity; in several elections, they entrusted a young mother like me to be their voice. Their steadfast support, along with their commitment to hold me accountable, has been a profound source of motivation for me. My deep affection for each member of this District drives me to recognize that they merit a representative who can provide them with even more than I am currently capable of offering,” said Birkeland.
She noted further: “It is with a heavy heart that I announce my decision to resign from the Utah House of Representatives, effective January 10th, 2025.”
The state Republican cited family and professional obligations that have “increasingly required my attention away from home,” adding that she expects that trend will continue for at least the next year or so.
“This choice was not made lightly; it has weighed heavily on my mind for some time, partly, because I feel that my work here is far from complete. Nevertheless, the present circumstances demand that I focus on other significant responsibilities,” she added.
According to local media reports, Birkeland supported several controversial bills, including anti-transgender and anti-abortion measures.
State Rep. Kera Birkeland, best known for sponsoring legislation banning transgender girls from high school sports and restricting which bathrooms and locker rooms transgender individuals can use, is resigning from the Legislature after winning reelecti… https://t.co/WekEcOMEdt
— Salt Lake Tribune politics (@SLTribPolitics) December 27, 2024
Three years ago, she introduced legislation to prohibit transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports in Utah, followed by an even more restrictive proposal last year. This year, she served as the lead sponsor of a transgender bathroom ban that was successfully passed.
In her campaigns, Birkeland also emphasized priorities such as development projects and affordable housing.
Earlier this month, two Republican candidates in Colorado state House elections secured very narrow victories following mandatory recounts conducted by the secretary of state’s office.
In House District 16, which includes a portion of El Paso County, Republican Rebecca Keltie received 20,641 votes, narrowly defeating the Democratic incumbent Rep. Stephanie Vigil, who garnered 20,638 votes. According to the office, Vigil’s vote count increased by three during the recount, The Center Square reported.
Secretary of State Jena Griswold initiated the recount on November 25. Under state law, recounts are mandatory when the vote difference in a race is less than 0.5% of the total votes for the winner, the outlet said.
“The mandatory recount for HD-16 brought this race to a tie,” Vigil said in a statement. “It was only in the process of the canvass board’s review that three Vigil votes were reversed, which therefore tilted the election in Ms. Keltie’s favor by three votes. It’s my understanding that the canvass board’s report will be certified by the Secretary of State, which will make Ms. Keltie representative-elect for HD-16.”
Vigil did not exclude the possibility of challenging the recount results legally.
“There are legal remedies available to me to investigate possible variables that would return the results to what the recount process initially determined, but I will need to consult with legal experts before making a decision of that magnitude,” Vigil said at the time.
In House District 19, which encompasses portions of Weld and Boulder counties, Republican Dan Woog, formerly the representative for House District 63, increased his vote count by one during the recount, totaling 28,420 votes. Democrat Jillaire McMillan received 28,310 votes, with no change after the recount.
Griswold initiated the recount for this race on November 27, the outlet reported.
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