Ross I. Romero
Member of the Utah Senate
from the 7th district
In office
2006–2012
Preceded byKaren Hale
Succeeded byDeidre Henderson
Member of the Utah House of Representatives
from the 25th district
In office
2004–2006
Succeeded byChristine Johnson
Personal details
Born (1971-11-13) November 13, 1971
Pueblo, Colorado, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseCecilia
EducationUniversity of Utah (BA)
University of Michigan (JD)
OccupationAttorney

Ross I. Romero (born November 13, 1971) is an American politician and attorney from Utah. A Democrat, he was a member of the Utah State Senate, representing the state's 7th senate district in Salt Lake County including the East Bench of Salt Lake City. He was also the Senate Democratic Leader.

Early life and education

Romero was born in Pueblo, Colorado and moved to Utah with his parents when he was two years old. His mother, Anita Bruce, was an elementary school teacher. After his parents divorced, Ross moved to West Valley City, Utah with his mother and step-father.[1]

He graduated from Highland High School in 1989 and graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in political science.[2] As a college student, he served participated in an internship program through the Hinckley Institute of Politics. Romero then earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School.

Career

Romero accepted a job with the law firm Jones Waldo, where he focused on business litigation. He eventually becomes a partner in 2003. In 2007, Ross accepted a job with Zions Bank in their Government Relations office.[3]

Romero has served as a member of the Salt Lake City Board of Adjustment, board member of University of Utah Young Alumni Board, a Salt Shaker with the Salt Lake Area Chamber of Commerce, and a board member of the Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. He became President of the Utah Minority Bar Association in 2003.[4]

Utah Legislature

In 2004, Romero was elected as a Representative in the Utah House of Representatives.[1] When a vacancy in his Senate district became available in 2006, Ross was asked to run for the State Senate, where he was reelected in 2010.[2]

During his Senate career, Romero was known as a champion for education, the environment, equality, and good government. Various interest groups rated Ross positively with 100% scores, including the Sierra Club, Equality Utah, and Utah Education Association.[5]

In November 2010, Romero was elected as Senate Minority Leader by his Democratic colleagues.[2]

2011 mayoral campaign

Romero became a candidate for Salt Lake County Mayor in September 2011. He focused on the environment, education, and economic development.[6] He lost the race for his party's nomination to Ben McAdams.

Utah State Senate election Dis. 7, 2006
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Bryce Jolley 9,950 34.3
Democratic Ross Romero 18,589 64.1

Personal life

Romero met his wife, Cecilia, while studying at the University of Michigan. After graduating from law school in 1996, the couple decided that they wanted to start their family in Salt Lake County, Utah.[4]

References

  1. 1 2 Montero, David (November 15, 2010). "Ross Romero relishes underdog role". St. Louis Tribune. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 "Ross Romero". csbs.utah.edu. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  3. ↑ Bernick Jr., Bob (December 15, 2008). "Zions Bank boasts legislative power". deseret.com. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  4. 1 2 "Marriage, parenthood, careers, and politics: The Romeros say proudly, 'We haven't done it alone'". icatholic.org. June 23, 2006. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
  5. ↑ "The Voter's Self Defense System".
  6. ↑ Fidel, Steve (October 2, 2011). "Democrat Ross Romero announces candidacy for Salt Lake County Mayor". ksl.com. Retrieved December 10, 2019.
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