Rebecca P. Edwards is politician and therapist who served as a member of the Utah House of Representatives from 2009 to 2018. Edwards was a candidate for the 2022 United States Senate election in Utah, challenging incumbent Senator Mike Lee in the Republican primary. On May 31, 2023, Edwards announced her candidacy in the 2023 Utah 2nd congressional district special election to replace U.S. representative Chris Stewart. Edwards went on to narrowly lose the September 5th Republican primary to Celeste Maloy, a former staffer for Stewart.

Early life Edwards earned her Bachelor of Science, Master of Social Work with a focus on marriage and family therapy, and Master of Science degrees from Brigham Young University.

Career Before entering politics, Edwards worked as a marriage and family therapist and social worker.

Utah House of Representatives

In 2008, Edwards challenged District 20 incumbent Republican Representative Paul Neuenschwander in the June 24, 2008 Republican primary and won with 1,413 votes (52.1%) and won the three-way November 4, 2008 general election with 8,866 votes (65.9%) against Democratic nominee Kyle Roberts and Constitution candidate Robert Moultrie, who had run for the seat in 2006.

In 2010, Edwards had two challengers and was selected by the Republican convention as one of two candidates for the June 22, 2010 Republican primary, which she won with 2,043 votes (58%) and won the three-way November 2, 2010 general election with 6,531 votes against Democratic nominee William Ward and returning 2008 Constitution candidate Robert Moultrie.

In 2012, Edwards was selected over a challenger by the Republican convention and won the November 6, 2012 general election with 10,807 votes (75.8%) against Democratic candidate Daniel Donahoe.

Edwards was unopposed at the Republican convention in the 2014 election cycle. She faced Democratic Party nominee Robert G. Moultrie and Constitution Party nominee Donna Taylor. Edwards won the general election with 5,257 votes (71%).

During the 2016 legislative session, Edwards served on the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee, the House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee as well as the House Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee. During the 2016 session, as Medicaid expansion was being debated, Edwards characterized the expansion approved by lawmakers as "leaving women out of the equation." She also called for a general "change [to] the culture of politics" regarding women's participation in elected office.

In the 2018 session, Edwards was the primary sponsor of HCR 7, a resolution by which Utah officially "recognized the existence of a changing climate, factors that contribute to these changes, and the potential negative effects on the state of Utah." HCR 7 notes that Utah's economy or its "global competitiveness" should not be constrained by efforts to mitigate or prepare for the effects of climate change. With HCR 7, Utah became the only state with a Republican-led legislature to officially recognize climate change.

Edwards chose not to run for re-election to her seat in 2018.

Edwards maintained a public blog throughout her tenure in the Legislature. In it, she variously discussed upcoming bills, her work on committees, constituent interactions, and day-to-day business on the Hill. Every week during her ten legislative sessions, she invited constituents to her home for discussions.

Committee assignments

Committee Legislative Session(s) Education 2009–2010, 2011-2012 Political Subdivisions (vice-chair) 2009–2010, 2011–2012 Economic Development and Workforce Services, Chair 2013-2014, 2015-2016 Public Utilities and Technology 2015-2016 Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice 2017-2018

Sponsored legislation

Bill number Bill title Bill status HB0246 System of Care Development Passed, signed by Governor HB0416 Targeted Business Income Tax Credit Revisions Passed, signed by Governor SB0226 Permanent Criminal Stalking Injunction Amendments Passed, signed by Governor HB0345 Telehealth Pilot Project Passed, signed by Governor HB0211 State Work of Art Passed, signed by Governor SB0100 Early Childhood Services Coordination Amendments Passed, signed by Governor HCR004 Concurrent Resolution on Economic and Environmental Stewardship Not passed HB0352 Music Therapy Certificate Designation Amendments Not passed HB0350 Workforce Development Programs Reporting Requirements Not passed HB0278 Paid Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit Not passed HB0283 Workplace Protection Amendments Not passed HB0438 Child Custody Amendments Not passed HB0418 Child and Family Services Amendments Not passed HR0006 House Resolution Encouraging Expanded Family Leave Benefits and Quality, Affordable Child Care Not passed HB0368 Autism License Plate Amendments Passed, signed by Governor HHJR020 Joint Resolution Submitting a Question to Voters Passed, signed by Governor HB0348 Secondhand Merchandise Dealers Amendments Passed, signed by Governor HSB0074 Voter Privacy Amendments Passed, signed by Governor UT HCR007 Concurrent Resolution on Environmental and Economic Stewardship Passed, signed by Governor UT HB0444 Martha Hughes Cannon Statue Oversight Committee Passed, signed by Governor SB0054 Marriage and Premarital Counseling and Education Amendments Passed, signed by Governor SCR001 Concurrent Resolution Recommending Replacement of Statue of Philo Farnsworth in United States Capitol Passed, signed by Governor SB0131 Talent Ready Utah Amendments Passed, signed by Governor (Per the original source, this list may not be comprehensive.)

2022 Senate race On May 27, 2021, Edwards announced her candidacy for the 2022 United States Senate election in Utah, challenging incumbent Mike Lee. In her announcement she positioned herself as more of a centrist option than Lee, who is known for being one of the most conservative lawmakers in the Senate, saying: "Utah is tired of the division and political bickering that have become a constant in Washington, D.C. It's time for action." On July 15, 2021, she announced she had raised $466,000 in her first quarter of fundraising, including a maximum allowable contribution from the head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs, Andy Reid.

She came in second place in the Republican primary on June 28, 2022.

2023 Special House race On May 31, 2023, Edwards announced her candidacy in the 2023 Utah 2nd congressional district special election to replace U.S. representative Chris Stewart. She received 33% of the vote, losing to Celeste Maloy (39%), then Stewart’s chief legal counsel.

Utah Debate Commission Edwards is a co-chair of the Utah Debate Commission along with former Utah State Senator Edgar Allen.

Governing Group In December 2023, Edwards announced the launch of Governing Group, a Utah-based Political Action Committee created to provide support to Republican and nonpartisan candidates with a proven record of nonpartisan advocacy and policymaking. Governing Group's board and senior leadership includes former Utah Governor Gary Herbert, former US Congresswoman Mia Love, and other representatives from Utah's business, education, and legal communities. In their first cycle, Governing Group-endorsed candidates won 25 out of 28 possible General Election races.

Personal life Edwards lives in North Salt Lake, Utah, with her husband John, son of former BYU football Coach LaVell Edwards. She serves as a board member on the Days of '47 committee and volunteers at Salt Lake City Head Start. She has nine grandchildren. Edwards and her husband served as humanitarian missionaries with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in American Samoa.

References

External links Official page at the Utah State Legislature Campaign site Becky Edwards at Ballotpedia Becky Edwards at the National Institute on Money in State Politics