Rep. McGee Calls it Quits

Feb 28, 2008 by Elizabeth Ziegler

(KCPW News) After serving three terms in the Utah House of Representatives and 13 years before that as a child welfare activist on Capitol Hill, Representative Roz McGee is calling it quits. The Salt Lake County Democrat announced Wednesday that she will not run for re-election in the fall.

"It's a very tough decision. It has been a privilege to be elected and to serve it the Utah Legislature. It's also very demanding," McGee says. "There are talented people in my district who will be interested in running for office."

McGee says she will not hand-pick the candidate herself. But she feels confident her successor will be a Democrat, as her district along the East Bench of Salt Lake City is full of people who are engaged in the community, and are dedicated to making the Utah Legislature more effective. She says she decided to announce her desire to not run again in order to give these prospective candidates enough time to organize their campaigns. Even though McGee says her decision is not prompted by anything in particular, she admits she's frustrated with the dominance of the Republican Party on Capitol Hill, which she says was forced on the people of Utah after redistricting in 1990 and 2000.

"I don't believe the people of the state are well-represented," McGee says. "I see too many decisions that are made without good solid debate and back and forth and I hope that changes are going to be made in coming years, so that the Legislature will better represent the people of Utah."

McGee ran for office after retiring as the Executive Director for Utah Children. She says she plans to actually enter retirement now. She'll spend her time traveling with her husband Zell and continue to stay active in her community and church. A longer conversation between McGee and KCPW's Elizabeth Ziegler is available below:

 

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