Utah Sen. Karen Mayne to retire, citing health concerns

Sen. Karen Mayne (D-West Valley City) announced her retirement from the state Legislature Wednesday due to health concerns.

• Her last day will be Jan. 16 — a day before the 2023 legislative session begins, according to her resignation letter.
• "Since the election in November of 2022, my health has taken an unexpected turn, and the constituents of District 12 deserve full-time representation," she wrote.

Background: Mayne announced her cancer diagnosis a year ago and was not physically present for most of the legislative session.

• At the time, she served as the minority leader.
• Mayne was first elected to the Utah Senate in 2008, succeeding her husband, the late Sen. Ed Mayne, after his death in 2007.

What's next: Utah Democratic delegates in Senate District 12 will choose her successor in a special election, party spokesperson Ben Anderson told Axios.

What they're saying: "Sen. Mayne has been a strong force for bipartisan camaraderie, which has strengthened our state," Senate President Stuart Adams (R-Layton) said in a statement.

• "She's a fighter and we will keep her in our prayers during this difficult time," Gov. Spencer Cox tweeted.