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Kathleen Riebe

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Kathleen Riebe
Image of Kathleen Riebe
Utah State Senate District 15
Tenure

2023 - Present

Term ends

2029

Years in position

2

Prior offices
Utah State Board of Education District 10

Utah State Senate District 8
Predecessor: Brian Zehnder

Compensation

Base salary

$293.55/legislative day

Elections and appointments
Last elected

November 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

Hofstra University, 1991

Graduate

Utah State University, 2015

Personal
Birthplace
Long Beach, N.Y.
Profession
Educator
Contact

Kathleen Riebe (Democratic Party) is a member of the Utah State Senate, representing District 15. She assumed office on January 1, 2023. Her current term ends on January 1, 2029.

Riebe (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Utah State Senate to represent District 15. She won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Riebe completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Kathleen Riebe earned a B.S. in elementary education and teaching from Hofstra University in 1991, an M.Ed. in educational leadership and administration from Utah State University in 2007, and a graduate degree from Utah State University in 2015. Riebe's career experience includes working as an educator, an education technology specialist with the Granite School District, and an outdoor recreation teacher.[1][2][3][4]

Political career

Utah State Senate (2019 - present)

Riebe assumed office, representing Utah State Senate District 8, in 2019. She was redistricted into District 15 in 2022.

Utah State Board of Education (2017-2018)

Riebe was first elected to the board in November 2016 and took office in January 2017. She left office in 2018 after becoming a member of the Utah State Senate.

Committee assignments

Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.

2023-2024

Riebe was assigned to the following committees:

2021-2022

Riebe was assigned to the following committees:

2019-2020

Riebe was assigned to the following committees:


The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.


Elections

2024

See also: Utah State Senate elections, 2024

General election

General election for Utah State Senate District 15

Incumbent Kathleen Riebe defeated Scott Cuthbertson in the general election for Utah State Senate District 15 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Kathleen Riebe
Kathleen Riebe (D) Candidate Connection
 
57.0
 
27,103
Image of Scott Cuthbertson
Scott Cuthbertson (R) Candidate Connection
 
43.0
 
20,414

Total votes: 47,517
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Kathleen Riebe advanced from the Democratic primary for Utah State Senate District 15.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Utah State Senate District 15

Scott Cuthbertson defeated Amber Shill and Steve Aste in the Republican primary for Utah State Senate District 15 on June 25, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Scott Cuthbertson
Scott Cuthbertson Candidate Connection
 
39.8
 
3,802
Image of Amber Shill
Amber Shill
 
37.2
 
3,557
Steve Aste
 
23.0
 
2,196

Total votes: 9,555
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic convention

Democratic convention for Utah State Senate District 15

Incumbent Kathleen Riebe advanced from the Democratic convention for Utah State Senate District 15 on March 30, 2024.

Candidate
Image of Kathleen Riebe
Kathleen Riebe (D) Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Republican convention

Republican convention for Utah State Senate District 15

Scott Cuthbertson and Steve Aste defeated Amber Shill in the Republican convention for Utah State Senate District 15 on April 13, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Scott Cuthbertson
Scott Cuthbertson (R) Candidate Connection
 
59.6
 
62
Steve Aste (R)
 
40.4
 
42
Image of Amber Shill
Amber Shill (R)
 
0.0
 
0

Total votes: 104
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Riebe in this election.

Pledges

Riebe signed the following pledges.

  • U.S. Term Limits

2023

See also: Utah's 2nd Congressional District special election, 2023

General election

Special general election for U.S. House Utah District 2

The following candidates ran in the special general election for U.S. House Utah District 2 on November 21, 2023.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Celeste Maloy
Celeste Maloy (R)
 
56.8
 
89,866
Image of Kathleen Riebe
Kathleen Riebe (D)
 
33.5
 
52,949
Image of Brad Green
Brad Green (L) Candidate Connection
 
2.9
 
4,528
Image of Cassie Easley
Cassie Easley (Constitution Party)
 
2.3
 
3,678
Image of January Walker
January Walker (United Utah Party)
 
1.8
 
2,856
Perry Myers (Independent)
 
1.4
 
2,276
Image of Joseph Geddes Buchman
Joseph Geddes Buchman (Independent)
 
0.8
 
1,281
Jonathan La Rele Peterson (Independent) (Write-in)
 
0.0
 
2
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.4
 
688

Total votes: 158,124
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Kathleen Riebe advanced from the special Democratic primary for U.S. House Utah District 2.

Republican primary election

Special Republican primary for U.S. House Utah District 2

Celeste Maloy defeated Becky Edwards and Bruce Hough in the special Republican primary for U.S. House Utah District 2 on September 5, 2023.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Celeste Maloy
Celeste Maloy
 
38.8
 
36,288
Image of Becky Edwards
Becky Edwards
 
32.7
 
30,560
Image of Bruce Hough
Bruce Hough
 
28.4
 
26,562

Total votes: 93,410
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Constitution primary election

The Constitution primary election was canceled. Cassie Easley advanced from the special Constitution primary for U.S. House Utah District 2.

Libertarian primary election

The Libertarian primary election was canceled. Brad Green advanced from the special Libertarian primary for U.S. House Utah District 2.

United Utah Party primary election

The United Utah Party primary election was canceled. January Walker advanced from the special United Utah Party primary for U.S. House Utah District 2.

Democratic convention

Special Democratic convention for U.S. House Utah District 2

Kathleen Riebe defeated Guy Warner and Archie Williams III in the special Democratic convention for U.S. House Utah District 2 on June 28, 2023.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Kathleen Riebe
Kathleen Riebe (D)
 
85.6
 
243
Guy Warner (D)
 
12.7
 
36
Image of Archie Williams III
Archie Williams III (D)
 
1.8
 
5

Total votes: 284
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican convention

Special Republican convention for U.S. House Utah District 2

The following candidates ran in the special Republican convention for U.S. House Utah District 2 on June 24, 2023.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Celeste Maloy
Celeste Maloy (R)
 
52.4
 
380
Image of Gregory Hughes
Gregory Hughes (R)
 
47.6
 
345
Jordan Hess (R)
 
0.0
 
0
Image of Becky Edwards
Becky Edwards (R)
 
0.0
 
0
Image of Scott Reber
Scott Reber (R)
 
0.0
 
0
Image of Kathleen Anderson
Kathleen Anderson (R)
 
0.0
 
0
Henry Eyring (R)
 
0.0
 
0
R. Quin Denning (R)
 
0.0
 
0
Image of Bruce Hough
Bruce Hough (R)
 
0.0
 
0
Bill Hoster (R)
 
0.0
 
0
Image of Scott Hatfield
Scott Hatfield (R) Candidate Connection
 
0.0
 
0

Total votes: 725
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Constitution convention

Special Constitution convention for U.S. House Utah District 2

Cassie Easley advanced from the special Constitution convention for U.S. House Utah District 2 on July 1, 2023.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Cassie Easley
Cassie Easley (Constitution Party)
 
100.0
 
24

Total votes: 24
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Libertarian convention

Special Libertarian convention for U.S. House Utah District 2

Brad Green advanced from the special Libertarian convention for U.S. House Utah District 2 on June 24, 2023.

Candidate
Image of Brad Green
Brad Green (L) Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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United Utah Party convention

Special United Utah Party convention for U.S. House Utah District 2

January Walker defeated Stoney Fonua in the special United Utah Party convention for U.S. House Utah District 2 on June 27, 2023.

Candidate
Image of Stoney Fonua
Stoney Fonua (United Utah Party)
Image of January Walker
January Walker (United Utah Party)

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Riebe in this election.

2020

See also: Utah State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for Utah State Senate District 8

Incumbent Kathleen Riebe defeated Brian Zehnder in the general election for Utah State Senate District 8 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Kathleen Riebe
Kathleen Riebe (D)
 
56.6
 
28,811
Image of Brian Zehnder
Brian Zehnder (R) Candidate Connection
 
43.4
 
22,078

Total votes: 50,889
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic convention

Democratic convention for Utah State Senate District 8

Incumbent Kathleen Riebe advanced from the Democratic convention for Utah State Senate District 8 on April 25, 2020.

Candidate
Image of Kathleen Riebe
Kathleen Riebe (D)

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican convention

Republican convention for Utah State Senate District 8

Brian Zehnder advanced from the Republican convention for Utah State Senate District 8 on April 25, 2020.

Candidate
Image of Brian Zehnder
Brian Zehnder (R) Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2018

See also: Utah State Senate elections, 2018

General election

General election for Utah State Senate District 8

Kathleen Riebe defeated incumbent Brian Zehnder and John Jackson in the general election for Utah State Senate District 8 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Kathleen Riebe
Kathleen Riebe (D)
 
55.8
 
23,221
Image of Brian Zehnder
Brian Zehnder (R) Candidate Connection
 
41.7
 
17,328
Image of John Jackson
John Jackson (United Utah Party)
 
2.5
 
1,053

Total votes: 41,602
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Utah State Senate District 8

Incumbent Brian Zehnder defeated Jaren Davis in the Republican primary for Utah State Senate District 8 on June 26, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Brian Zehnder
Brian Zehnder Candidate Connection
 
61.5
 
5,954
Image of Jaren Davis
Jaren Davis
 
38.5
 
3,732

Total votes: 9,686
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

Utah State Board of Education District 10, 2016
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngKathleen Riebe 59.7% 39,920
Gary Thompson 40.3% 27,002
Total Votes 66,922
Source: Lieutenant Governor of Utah

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Kathleen Riebe completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Riebe's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Kathleen Riebe comes from a family of civil servants. Every day while working in our schools she sees families celebrating milestones and others struggling to navigate hardships.

Eight years ago she was elected to the state school board and worked to increase transparency and accountability. As Vice-chair of the Finance committee, she advocated for robust internet access, and inclusion for students with disabilities.

In 2018 Kathleen ran for Utah State Senate. She flipped this seat. As Democrats, we serve to push back on policies that do not meet Salt Lake County values. Kathleen has been a voice for better boundaries, cleaner gravel pits, competitive pay for first responders, protecting the initiative process, and responsible development.

Kathleen has pushed back on vouchers, statewide book bans, the gondola, the erosion of reproductive rights, and the erosion of local control. As the Senate Democratic Minority Whip Kathleen has access to vote and speak in more committees.

Kathleen came to Utah 34 years ago to ski for one season. Her kids attend their neighborhood public schools. She has worked full-time as a teacher for 25 years. She has a BA in Education from Hofstra University and a Masters in Education from Utah State University.
  • Education
    • Smaller class sizes
    • Increased services to diverse populations
    • Innovative practices for a safe return of students into
         the classroom
    
    • Supports for teachers to be successful
    • HEALTHCARE

    Picture Affordable and accessible healthcare is critical to sustaining a productive workforce, protecting our families, and ensuring everyone - regardless of background - are given the chance to succeed. As this country navigates a health crisis, Kathleen is a bold leader for expanding Medicaid and providing important efficiencies in healthcare that will help small businesses and their employees focus on their jobs, not their health costs.

    • Inexpensive preventative care instead of expensive crisis care
    • Extended care coverage for the 1 in 7 women who experience postpartum depression
    • ENVIRONMENT

    Picture Kathleen and her family chose to live in Cottonwood Heights because of the community's access to outdoor recreational activities. She believes that in order to protect our quality of life, we must support a healthy living environment. Improved air quality​

    Access to clean and open public lands
My mom and dad both worked hard to provide their children with great opportunities.

My father was a lieutenant in the New York police department. I just recently discovered he assisted in saving three people on Christmas day from a burning building when he was a young patrolman. As I work everyday as a teacher and a senator I see people like my dad serving their communities, dedicating a life time of service to make sure people are safe.
My mother spent most of my childhood at home, voluteering for local organizations. When I was older she went back to work to help support our families higher education endeavors. My mom's service to our community helped people in need and gave those families a bridge to security. I am so appreciative of her late in life career that helped me through college.

My parents were role models for me to give back, step up and work hard.
An elected official should be transparent, honest and accessible.
My favorite job was truckdriving after teaching and my first job was babysitting.
I believe the three branches of government should work together to create a balanced relationship.
Yes, I have worked to build relationships by attending caucus meeting of special interest groups. My favorite caucus is the Rural caucus. This caucus allows me to better uderstand the needs of my rural partners. I have gotten to know the rural community and these relationships allow us to discuss the common needs.
Governor Olene Walker was a strong advocate for education.
Micheal Leavitt is a real statesman that worked across the aisle to bring a betterment to Utahns.
These are the committees I am currently on. I have been fortunate to be appointed to committees that are important to me and allow me to use my profession knowledge.

Education Interim Committee
Executive Appropriations Committee
Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee
Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Interim Committee
Legislative Management Committee
Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee
Senate Education Committee
Senate Education Confirmation Committee
Senate Government Operations Confirmation Committee
Senate Revenue and Taxation Confirmation Committee
Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee

Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Confirmation Committee
I oppose the changes that have been proposed. I think the initiative should not be overly cumbersome and the language should be clear, concise and accurately explain the initiative.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2023

Kathleen Riebe did not complete Ballotpedia's 2023 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Kathleen Riebe did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign finance summary


Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.


Kathleen Riebe campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* Utah State Senate District 15Won general$62,420 $-64,186
2023U.S. House Utah District 2Lost general$348,093 $346,220
2020Utah State Senate District 8Won general$65,176 N/A**
2018Utah State Senate District 8Won general$74,813 N/A**
Grand total$550,502 $282,034
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Utah

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Utah scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.


2024


2023


2022


2021


2020


2019





See also


External links

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by
-
Utah State Senate District 15
2023-Present
Succeeded by
-
Preceded by
Brian Zehnder (R)
Utah State Senate District 8
2019-2023
Succeeded by
-
Preceded by
-
Utah State Board of Education District 10
2017-2018
Succeeded by
-


Current members of the Utah State Senate
Leadership
Majority Leader:Kirk Cullimore
Minority Leader:Luz Escamilla
Senators
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
District 9
District 10
District 11
District 12
District 13
District 14
District 15
District 16
District 17
District 18
Dan McCay (R)
District 19
District 20
District 21
District 22
District 23
District 24
District 25
District 26
District 27
District 28
District 29
Don Ipson (R)
Republican Party (22)
Democratic Party (6)
Forward Party (1)