Rep. Carol Spackman Moss, Utah’s longest-serving female legislator, announced on Monday that she will conclude her tenure after 26 years in the Utah Legislature. The Democratic representative from Holladay first entered office in 2000 and became the first woman to hold the record for legislative service in 2023. Spackman Moss confirmed that the upcoming general legislative session will be her last, marking a significant milestone in her career.
Reflecting on her time in office, Spackman Moss expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve. “It has been a great honor to represent House District 34, but nothing has shaped my service more than the thousands of students I had the privilege of teaching in my English and student government classes for 33 years at Olympus High School,” she stated. She emphasized the importance of education and how legislative policies can empower teachers to better serve their students.
Her decision to step down aligns with a trend among Utah lawmakers, many of whom have also chosen not to seek reelection. Notable departures include House Majority Assistant Whip Bridger Bolinder from Grantsville, Rep. Karianne Lisonbee from Syracuse, and Rep. Sandra Hollins from Salt Lake City, who made history as Utah’s first Black woman in the Legislature.
House Minority Leader Angela Romero remarked on Spackman Moss’s impactful legacy, stating, “Rep. Carol Spackman Moss has been a force for good in the Utah Legislature. As the longest-serving woman legislator in Utah’s history, she has inspired countless others to step into leadership roles.” Romero highlighted Spackman Moss’s dual roles as a legislator and educator, noting her ongoing commitment to uplifting those around her.
Throughout her legislative career, Spackman Moss has prioritized education. She currently serves on the House Education Committee and the budget committee overseeing public education. Notably, she championed the legislation that allows for the distribution of naloxone, a medication designed to reverse opioid overdoses, which has been credited with saving thousands of lives across Utah.
Despite the challenges of serving in a minority party, which has seen its representation in the House of Representatives decline from 22 to 14 since her election, Spackman Moss remained resolute. “I’m in the minority, so you have to really work hard — harder, I’d say, than if you’re in the majority,” she explained.
As Spackman Moss prepares to close this chapter of her public service, her contributions to Utah’s legislative landscape and the lives of her students and constituents will be remembered as pivotal in shaping the state’s educational policies and community leadership. Her departure signals a moment of reflection for many in the Utah Legislature as they consider the future of representation and advocacy in the state.
