Karen Mayne


Karen Mayne is a Democratic member of the Utah Senate, who has represented the 5th District in West Valley City since her appointment in 2008. She is the widow of former State Senator Ed Mayne.

Early life, education, and career

Mayne is a graduate of Chamber West Leadership Center and attended Henagers Business College.
She worked for 20 years as a Granite School District para-educator and is retired from that position. Throughout her career as a para-educator, she won the Para-educator of the Year, the American Federation of Teachers, the Lucy Beth Rampton Award for Community Service, and the Service to Community Award.
Mayne is the mother of two children, Paul and Jamie, and a grandmother of six grandchildren. She is a lifelong resident of the West side of Salt Lake Valley. She is a member of the Methodist Church.

Political career

Before her position as Senator, Mayne was active in PTA, local baseball and football organizations, and numerous political and community activities.
Her political career has included positions in the following organizations:
Upon the death of her husband, Senator Ed Mayne, in 2007, Mayne was appointed to his senate seat. She was then elected in 2008 and 2010 as a Democrat. In 2014, she served as the Assistant Minority Whip, and beginning in 2015 she has served as the Senate Minority Whip.
In 2016, Mayne served on the following committees:
During her service as Senator, Mayne has won a number of awards, including the Elenor Roosevelt Distinguished Woman of the Year Award, Legislator of the Year Award From Salt Lake Community College, Utah School Nurse Association Appreciation Award, "Hero on the Hill," from the Legislative Coalition for People with Disabilities, Firefighters' Legislator of the Year, Workers Compensation Fund President's Award, the Sunshine Award, Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce's Business Champion of 2013, and the Award of Excellence in Workplace Safety and Health presented by the Rocky Mountain Center.

Election results

In 2014 Mayne was unopposed in the primary. During the general election she had a challenger who dropped out before the election and won unopposed.

2008

2010

Legislation

2016 sponsored bills

Notable legislation

In 2014, Senator Mayne sponsored S.B. 36, which only allows certain groups, such as political parties and health care providers, to access voter birth dates. It also restricts their use of that information for verifying identities or political purposes, such as urging support for a candidate. The Governor signed this bill into law.
In 2016 Senator Mayne sponsored a bill which will create a feasibility study to determine how postal service workers can be utilized to aid with emergency response efforts. This bill was supported by Representative Jason Chaffetz as part of his effort to make the postal service more universal.