Preceded by Karen Hale Alma mater University of Michigan Name Ross Romero Spouse Cecilia (m. 1997) Succeeded by Christine Johnson | Political party Democratic Occupation Attorney Role American Politician Party Utah Democratic Party | |
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Born November 13, 1971 (age 52) ( 1971-11-13 ) Residence Salt Lake City, Utah, United States Education University of Michigan, University of Utah | ||
Ross I. Romero (November 13, 1971) is an American politician and Attorney from Utah. A Democrat, he is 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 currently is the Senate Democratic Leader.
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Early life
Ross 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 at Indian Hills Elementary where she taught for 33 years. After his parents divorced, Ross moved to West Valley with his mother and step-father.
He graduated from Highland High School in 1989 and graduated from the University of Utah with a degree in Political Science. As a college student, he served as a Hinckley intern in Washington DC and that experience helped him realize that he wanted to be involved in public service. Ross decided that he wanted to get away from home and chose to attend the University of Michigan Law School. He eventually met his wife Cecilia who was an undergraduate student. After graduating from law school in 1996, Ross and Cecilia decided that they wanted to start their family in Salt Lake County.
Ross 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. At Zions, Ross currently helps cities and governments with their banking needs.
Ross 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.
Political career
In 2004, Ross was elected as a Representative in the Utah House of Representatives. When a vacancy in his Senate district became available in 2006, Ross was asked to run for the State Senate. He was elected with 64% of voters in Salt Lake County and reelected with 67% in 2010.
During his Senate career, Senator Romero has been known as a champion for education, the environment, equality, and good government. Various interest groups have rated Ross positively with 100% scores, including the Sierra Club, Equality Utah, and Utah Education Association.
In November 2010, Senator Romero was elected as Senate Minority Leader by his Democratic colleagues. He has used this leadership position to speak out for liberal causes.
To date, Senator Romero is the only elected official in Utah to have contributed a video to the "It Gets Better" project, an anti-bullying campaign directed towards LGBT youth.
Mayoral Campaign
Romero became a candidate for Salt Lake County Mayor in September 2011. He focused on the environment, education, and economic development.