SALT LAKE CITY — A new Utah state representative has been chosen to take the place of the late Rep. LaWanna "Lou" Shurtliff, who died last month.
The Utah Democratic Party held a special election Saturday in which 37 delegates from House District 10, where Shurtliff served, voted on a selection of eight candidates. They met virtually via Zoom and voted with ranked-choice ballots.
Dr. Rosemary Lesser was elected to serve out the rest of Shurtliff's term.
Lesser is a retired obstetrician-gynecologist, according to the announcement from the party. She practiced at the Ogden Women's Clinic, Ogden Regional Hospital and McKay-Dee Hospital. She also served in the U.S. Air Force as an OB-GYN and went on several surgical missions to Mali.
She and her husband Dave live in Ogden and have six children. She has been active in the Democratic Party at the state level and in Weber County.
"As a veteran and a doctor, Dr. Lesser will be an excellent addition to the legislature. Her knowledge and expertise have benefitted Weber County for many, many years and she will be of immense value to the people of District 10,” said Jeff Merchant, chair of the Utah Democratic Party.
