Ralph Okerlund
| Ralph Okerlund | ||
 | ||
| Utah State Senate District 24 | ||
| Incumbent | ||
| In office | ||
| 2009 - Present | ||
| Years in position | 4 | |
| Party | Republican | |
| Leadership | ||
| State Senate Majority Leader | ||
| 2013 - present | ||
| Compensation | ||
| Base salary | $117/day | |
| Per diem | $96/day (lodging) $61/day (meals) | |
| Elections and appointments | ||
| Last election | November 6, 2012 | |
| First elected | 2008 | |
| Next election | November 8, 2016 | |
| Term limits | N/A | |
| Education | ||
| Bachelor's | University of Utah, 1973 | |
| Associate's | Dixie College, 1972 | |
| Personal | ||
| Profession | Farmer | |
| Websites | ||
| Office website | ||
| Campaign website | ||
 | ||
Contents |
Okerlund's political experience began with his service on the Monroe City Council, as well as the Monroe City Mayor. He has served as the Sevier County Commissioner since 1995.
Okerlund worked as a teacher for South Sevier High School and Middle School from 1973 to 1978. He was a Dairyman from 1978 to 2008. He is currently a farmer, and has worked in that career since 1978.
Okerlund earned his AA from Dixie College in 1972. He went on to receive his BS in Political Science from the University of Utah in 1973.
Committee assignments
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Okerlund served on the following committees:
| Utah Committee Assignments, 2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Economic Development and Workforce Services | ||||
| • Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment | ||||
| • Legislative Management | ||||
| • Rural Development Legislative Liaison | ||||
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Okerlund served on the following committees:
| Utah Committee Assignments, 2011 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment, Chair | ||||
| • Redistricting, Chair | ||||
| • Workforce Services and Community and Economic Development | ||||
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Okerlund served on the following committees:
| Utah Committee Assignments, 2009 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment | ||||
| • Workforce Services and Community and Economic Development | ||||
Issues
Campaign themes
2012
Okerlund's campaign website lists the following issues:[1]
- Jobs and the Economy
- Excerpt: "Putting Utah's back to work is the biggest issue facing our State. Utah is doing better than nearly every other State, bur we can improve. There are numerous reforms we can, and must do to promote prosperity for the families and businesses of our State."
- Education
- Excerpt: "I am proud of our area and my first pledge will be to do everything I can to ensure each child is best served. We can work together to ensure our state becomes a leader educating children. First off, I want to say to our great teachers - I consider it an honor to support you and your efforts."
- Public Lands
- Excerpt: "The public lands that make up a huge part of Senate District 24 are critical to the economic development of our rural counties. We must ensure that access to these lands is not limited. These lands are much of the economic engine for the rural areas of Utah. They provide abundant natural resources and it is in our best interest to continue responsibly developing the resources."
Elections
2012
- See also: Utah State Senate elections, 2012
Okerlund won re-election in the 2012 election for Utah State Senate District 24. Okerlund defeated Patrick Painter in the June 26 Republican primary and defeated Trestin Meacham (C) in the general election which took place on November 6, 2012.[2][3]
| Utah State Senate, District 24, General Election, 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Ralph Okerlund Incumbent |
86.4% | 29,588 | |
| Constitution | Trestin Meacham | 13.6% | 4,647 | |
| Total Votes | 34,235 | |||
| Utah State Senate District 24 Republican Primary, 2012 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|
Ralph Okerlund Incumbent |
61.1% | 7,278 |
| Patrick Painter | 38.9% | 4,626 |
| Total Votes | 11,904 | |
2008
On November 4, 2008, Okerlund won election to the 24th District Seat in the Utah State Senate, defeating opponents Tobiah Dillon and Benton Petersen.[4]
Buttars raised $35,306 for his campaign, while Dillon raised $5,588 and Petersen raised $0. [5]
| Utah State Senate, District 24 (2008) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Ralph Okerlund (R)
|
19,073 | 67.60% | ||
| Tobiah Dillon (D) | 6,571 | 22.9% | ||
| Benton Petersen (C) | 2,666 | 9.5% | ||
Campaign donors
2012
Campaign donor information is not yet available for this year.
2008
In 2008, a year in which Okerlund was up for election, he collected $35,306 in donations.[6]
His four largest contributors in 2008 were:
| Donor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Utah County Legislative PAC | $5,000 |
| Senate Leadership PAC | $5,000 |
| Ralph Okerlund | $4,165 |
| Utah Association of Realtors | $2,000 |
Personal
Okerlund and his wife Cindy have three children.
Recent news
 |
Know more information about this profile? Submit a bio |
This section displays the most recent stories in a Google news search for the term "Ralph + Okerlund + Utah + Senate"
- All stories may not be relevant to this legislator due to the nature of the search engine.
Ralph Okerlund News Feed
- Senator pushing to have Utah's attorney general appointed - Salt Lake Tribune
- State lawmakers likely to discuss Attorney General John Swalllow's troubles - Deseret News
- Utah does not have a state canal inspection program - Deseret News
- Bramble, Stratton and Valentine opposed veto override session - Daily Herald - Daily Herald
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External links
- Campaign website
- Official Utah State Senate website
- Legislative profile from Project Vote Smart
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign Contributions: 2010, 2008
References
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Leonard Blackham |
Utah Senate District 24 2009–present |
Succeeded by NA |
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