Utah House of Representatives District 72
Utah House of Representatives District 72 is represented by Joseph Elison (R).
As of the 2020 Census, Utah state representatives represented an average of 43,670 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 36,944 residents.
About the office
Members of the Utah House of Representatives serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits. Utah legislators assume office the first day in January.[1][2]
Qualifications
To be eligible to serve in the Utah House of Representatives, a candidate must be:[3]
- A U.S. citizen,
- At least 25 years old,
- A three-year resident of Utah,
- A resident for 6 months of the relevant house district, and
- A qualified voter.
In addition, eligible candidates cannot:[3]
- Have been convicted of certain crimes, or
- Hold a public office of profit or trust.
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[4] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $293.55/legislative day | Per diem is reimbursed to state legislators when they submit receipts or turn in expense reports. |
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Utah State Legislature, the governor is responsible for selecting a replacement. A liaison for the political party that last held the seat must recommend a successor to the governor. A person who is selected to fill a vacant state House seat serves for the remainder of the unfilled term. Interim appointees to state Senate seats serve until the next regular general election.[5]
If the vacancy happens after the nominating deadline in an election year, but before August 31, a new candidate must file a declaration of candidacy and certificate of nomination in order to be on the ballot. Nominating papers must be filed within 21 days after the vacancy occurs.[6]
See sources: Utah Const. Art. 6, Sec. 13 and Utah Code §20A-1-503
District map
Redistricting
2020 redistricting cycle
Gov. Spencer Cox (R) signed new state legislative districts for both chambers into law on November 16, 2021. After Cox called a special session to begin on November 9, 2021, the Utah legislature voted to approve the House and Senate district maps on November 10, 2021. The House districts proposal passed the House in a 60-12 vote and cleared the Senate in a 25-3 vote. The House voted 58-13 to approve the Senate map and the Senate approved the proposal in a 26-2 vote. [7][8] These maps took effect for Utah's 2022 legislative elections.
Both proposals differed from those presented to the legislative committee by Utah's Independent Redistricting Commission on November 1, 2021.[9] The commission presented 12 maps (three each for House, Senate, congressional, and school board districts) to the Legislative Redistricting Committee, one of which was submitted by a citizen.[10]
How does redistricting in Utah work? In Utah, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are ultimately enacted by the state legislature. An advisory commission submits proposed maps to the legislature for its approval. This commission comprises the following seven members:[11]
- One appointed by the governor, to serve as the chair of the commission;
- One appointed by the president of the Utah Senate;
- One appointed by the speaker of the Utah House of Representatives;
- One appointed by the leader of the largest minority political party in the Utah Senate;
- One appointed by the leader of the largest minority political party in the Utah House of Representatives;
- One appointed jointly by the leadership of the majority political party in the Utah Senate, president of the Utah Senate, and the leadership of the same political party in the Utah House of Representatives; and
- One appointed jointly by the leadership of the largest minority political party in the Utah Senate, and the leadership of the same political party in the Utah House of Representatives, including the speaker of the House, if the speaker is a member of the same political party.
The commission is required to select between one and three plans, with the affirmative votes of at least five members, to submit to the chief justice of the Utah Supreme Court. The chief justice is responsible for determining if the commission's plans meet redistricting standards. The commission then forwards the plans to the state legislature, which may decide whether to accept, amend, or reject the plans.
Utah House of Representatives District 72
until December 31, 2022
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Utah House of Representatives District 72
starting January 1, 2023
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2024
See also: Utah House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Utah House of Representatives District 72
Incumbent Joseph Elison won election in the general election for Utah House of Representatives District 72 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Joseph Elison (R) | 100.0 | 22,406 |
| Total votes: 22,406 | |||
 = 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
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Joseph Elison advanced from the Republican primary for Utah House of Representatives District 72.
Republican convention
Republican convention for Utah House of Representatives District 72
Incumbent Joseph Elison advanced from the Republican convention for Utah House of Representatives District 72 on March 23, 2024.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Joseph Elison (R) |
| ||||
| = 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. | ||||
2022
General election
General election for Utah House of Representatives District 72
Joseph Elison defeated Ila Fica in the general election for Utah House of Representatives District 72 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Joseph Elison (R) | 81.4 | 14,887 |
 | Ila Fica (D) | 18.6 | 3,404 | |
| Total votes: 18,291 | |||
| = 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 primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Ila Fica advanced from the Democratic primary for Utah House of Representatives District 72.
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Utah House of Representatives District 72
Joseph Elison defeated Willie Billings in the Republican primary for Utah House of Representatives District 72 on June 28, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Joseph Elison | 50.1 | 4,134 |
| Willie Billings | 49.9 | 4,124 | ||
| Total votes: 8,258 | |||
| = 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 House of Representatives District 72
Ila Fica advanced from the Democratic convention for Utah House of Representatives District 72 on April 23, 2022.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Ila Fica (D) |
| ||||
| = 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 House of Representatives District 72
Willie Billings and Joseph Elison advanced from the Republican convention for Utah House of Representatives District 72 on April 23, 2022.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | Willie Billings (R) | |
| ✔ | | Joseph Elison (R) |
| ||||
| = 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. | ||||
2020
General election
General election for Utah House of Representatives District 72
Incumbent Rex Shipp defeated Lonnie White Jr. and Piper Manesse in the general election for Utah House of Representatives District 72 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Rex Shipp (R) | 75.4 | 13,858 |
| Lonnie White Jr. (D) | 17.1 | 3,149 | ||
 | Piper Manesse (United Utah Party) | 7.5 | 1,374 | |
| Total votes: 18,381 | |||
| = 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 House of Representatives District 72
Lonnie White Jr. defeated Zeno Parry in the Democratic convention for Utah House of Representatives District 72 on April 25, 2020.
Candidate | ||
| Zeno Parry (D) | ||
| ✔ | Lonnie White Jr. (D) | |
| ||||
| = 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 House of Representatives District 72
Incumbent Rex Shipp advanced from the Republican convention for Utah House of Representatives District 72 on April 25, 2020.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Rex Shipp (R) |
| ||||
| = 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
General election
General election for Utah House of Representatives District 72
Rex Shipp defeated Zeno Parry and Barry Evan Short in the general election for Utah House of Representatives District 72 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Rex Shipp (R) | 74.7 | 8,887 |
| Zeno Parry (D) | 16.8 | 2,002 | ||
 | Barry Evan Short (L) | 8.4 | 1,001 | |
| Total votes: 11,890 | |||
| = 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
Elections for the Utah House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on June 28, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was March 17, 2016.
Incumbent John Westwood ran unopposed in the Utah House of Representatives District 72 general election.[12]
| Utah House of Representatives, District 72 General Election, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican |  John Westwood Incumbent (unopposed) | |
| Source: Utah Secretary of State | ||
Incumbent John Westwood ran unopposed in the Utah House of Representatives District 72 Republican primary.[13][14]
| Utah House of Representatives District 72, Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | |
| Republican | John Westwood Incumbent (unopposed) | |
2014
Elections for the Utah House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 24, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 20, 2014. Incumbent John Westwood defeated Blake Cozzens in the Republican convention. Westwood defeated Barry Short (L) in the general election.[15][16]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John R. Westwood Incumbent |
83.4% | 5,210 | |
| Libertarian | Barry Short | 15.8% | 990 | |
| Write-In | Linda Lou Allen | 0.8% | 50 | |
| Total Votes | 6,250 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
John R. Westwood Incumbent |
71.8% | 2,084 |
| Blake Cozzens | 28.2% | 820 |
| Total Votes | 2,904 | |
2012
Elections for the office of Utah House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on June 26, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. Republican John Westwood defeated Libertarian Barry Short in the general election. Westwood and Matthew D. Carling defeated Ryan Bundy, Marlo Jensen, and Albert Montoya in the Republican convention. Westwood defeated Carling in the Republican primary election.[17][18]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | John Westwood |
85.4% | 10,451 | |
| Libertarian | Barry Short | 14.6% | 1,786 | |
| Total Votes | 12,237 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
John R. Westwood |
67% | 2,679 |
| Matthew Carling | 33% | 1,321 |
| Total Votes | 4,000 | |
Campaign contributions
From 2000 to 2024, candidates for Utah House of Representatives District 72 raised a total of $342,013. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $10,688 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, Utah House of Representatives District 72 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2024 | $25,000 | 1 | $25,000 |
| 2022 | $122,855 | 3 | $40,952 |
| 2020 | $19,869 | 4 | $4,967 |
| 2018 | $13,223 | 3 | $4,408 |
| 2016 | $13,710 | 1 | $13,710 |
| 2014 | $28,788 | 3 | $9,596 |
| 2012 | $21,046 | 4 | $5,262 |
| 2010 | $23,262 | 2 | $11,631 |
| 2008 | $15,918 | 3 | $5,306 |
| 2006 | $32,749 | 3 | $10,916 |
| 2004 | $3,600 | 1 | $3,600 |
| 2002 | $15,818 | 2 | $7,909 |
| 2000 | $6,174 | 2 | $3,087 |
| Total | $342,013 | 32 | $10,688 |
Other election results in district
The map below highlight's this state legislative district and provides election results from the most recent election. Using the dropdown on the left, you can choose to view results for the most recent presidential election or U.S. House district election instead. This will show you the votes cast in this district for that election. The dropdown on the right will let you see either the map colored by the percentage of votes the winning candidate received or let you know the number and type of votes cast by size and shade of the circle in each county.
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See also
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Utah Constitution, "Article VI, Section 3," accessed February 17, 2021
- ↑ Utah Constitution, "Article VI, Section 4," accessed February 17, 2021
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Vote.Utah.gov, "State of Utah 2024 Candidate Manual," accessed May 23, 2025 (page 4)
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ Utah Legislature, "Utah Code - Statutes 20A-1-503 (3) (a)-(b)," accessed February 17, 2021
- ↑ Utah Legislature, "Utah Code - Statutes 20A-1-503 (3) (a)-(b)," accessed February 17, 2021
- ↑ Utah State Legislature, "S.B. 2006 Utah State Senate Boundaries and Election Designation," accessed November 17, 2021
- ↑ Utah State Legislature, "H.B. 2005 Utah State House Boundaries Designation," accessed November 17, 2021
- ↑ KSL, "Utah redistricting map battles underscore independent-panel hurdles across the US," November 13, 2021
- ↑ Utah Public Radio, "Utah Independent Redistricting Commission proposes 12 maps to Utah lawmakers," November 2, 2021
- ↑ All About Redistricting, "Utah," accessed May 4, 2015
- ↑ Utah Secretary of State, "2016 General Election," accessed November 29, 2016
- ↑ Utah.gov, "2016 Candidate Filings," accessed March 23, 2016
- ↑ Utah.gov, "2016 Primary Election Results," accessed August 20, 2016
- ↑ Utah Lieutenant Governor, "2014 Candidate Filings," accessed March 22, 2014
- ↑ Utah Lieutenant Governor, "Utah Election Preliminary Results," accessed July 9, 2014
- ↑ Utah Lieutenant Governor Elections, 2012 Candidate Filings, accessed October 22, 2013
- ↑ Utah Lieutenant Governor Elections, Election Results, accessed October 22, 2013
