Quick Facts
Biography
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.
Edwards voted for Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election.
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
Edwards began her career as a marriage and family therapist before becoming a homemaker.
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.
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.
