Deidre Henderson

Deidre Henderson is an American politician serving as the Lieutenant Governor of Utah since 2021, under Governor Spencer Cox. A member of the Republican Party, she previously represented the 7th district in the Utah State Senate from 2013 to 2021. Henderson is known for her focus on rural development, education policy, and healthcare issues within the state.

Early life and education

Deidre Henderson was born on October 19, 1970, in Spanish Fork, Utah, and grew up in the nearby community of Salem. She was raised in a family with a strong tradition of Latter-day Saint values and community involvement. Henderson attended Spanish Fork High School before pursuing higher education at Brigham Young University in Provo, where she studied family science. Her academic background and upbringing in Utah County deeply influenced her later advocacy for family policy and social services.

Political career

Henderson's political career began with local activism and involvement in the Utah County Republican Party. In 2012, she successfully ran for the Utah State Senate, winning the seat for the 7th District, which encompasses parts of Utah County, Juab County, and Sanpete County. During her tenure in the Utah Legislature, she served on several key committees, including the Health and Human Services Committee and the Education Committee. She was a co-chair of the Utah Constitutional Defense Council and also served on the Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, focusing on criminal justice reform.

Lieutenant Governor of Utah

In 2020, Spencer Cox selected Henderson as his running mate in the gubernatorial election. Following their victory, she was sworn in as the Lieutenant Governor of Utah on January 4, 2021. As lieutenant governor, her constitutional duties include serving as the Secretary of State and overseeing state elections, the Utah State Archives, and the Utah Department of Commerce. She has been actively involved in the Cox–Henderson administration's initiatives on economic development, particularly in rural Utah, and has worked closely with the Utah Governor's Office of Economic Opportunity.

Political positions and public image

Henderson is considered a pragmatic conservative within the Utah Republican Party. She has advocated for increased funding for public education and vocational training, supported policies to address mental health and opioid abuse, and promoted fiscal conservatism. She has been a proponent of local government control and public lands management that involves state collaboration with the Bureau of Land Management. Her public image is often described as approachable and focused on bipartisan solutions, earning her endorsements from groups like the Utah Education Association and the Salt Lake Chamber.

Personal life

Deidre Henderson is married to Gabe Henderson, a small business owner, and they have three children. The family resides in Spanish Fork and are active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In her personal time, she is involved with various community organizations, including the United Way of Utah County and the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce. Henderson has cited her family and her faith as central guiding influences in her personal and political life.

Category:1970 births Category:Living people Category:Lieutenant Governors of Utah Category:Utah State Senators Category:Brigham Young University alumni Category:Republican Party state senators of Utah Category:People from Spanish Fork, Utah Category:Women state legislators in Utah