Verona Mauga
Verona Mauga | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Utah House of Representatives from the 31st district | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Brett Garner |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Kahuku, Hawaii, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Website | Legislature website Campaign website |
Verona Sagato-Mauga is an American entrepreneur and politician serving as a member of the Utah House of Representatives from the 31st district since 2025. A Democrat, she is one of the first Samoans elected to the Utah State Legislature alongside Jake Fitisemanu and the first Samoan woman to serve in any continental state legislature.[1]
Early life and education
Mauga was born in Kahuku, Hawaii, to parents who immigrated from Samoa. She moved to West Valley City, Utah, as a child and graduated from Alta High School.[2]
Career
She is a co-owner of My Choice Utah, an organization providing homes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as Sagato Bakery & Café in Midvale, and co-founded Le Malu, an organization focused on American Pacific Islander mentorship and cultural preservation initiatives.[1]
Utah House of Representatives
Mauga ran for the Utah House of Representatives in 2024 against incumbent Democrat Brett Garner, who was appointed to the seat after Karen Kwan won a special election for the Utah State Senate. She was among a growing number of Asian American and Pacific Islanders running for office in Utah.[3] The Salt Lake County Democratic Party voted to nominate Mauga for the general election over Garner by 30 to 11 votes respectively.[4]
Electoral history
2024
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Verona Mauga | 7,148 | 57.90% | |
| Republican | Bill Swann | 5,198 | 42.10% | |
| Total votes | 12,346 | 100% | ||
References
- ^ a b Withers Taylor, Savannah Beth (May 7, 2025). "30 Women to Watch 2025: Verona Sagato-Mauga". Utah Business. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
- ^ "Verona Mauga". Utah House Democrats. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
- ^ Winslow, Ben (January 3, 2024). "Asian American, Pacific Islander candidates seek to make the Utah legislature more diverse". KSTU. Retrieved May 25, 2025.
- ^ McKellar, Katie (April 1, 2024). "Utah Rep. Brett Garner falters at Democratic convention, will lose his House seat". Utah News Dispatch. Retrieved July 8, 2024.