Veteran lawmaker to lead Democrats in Utah Senate

SALT LAKE CITY — A veteran Democratic lawmaker will become the new minority leader in the Utah Senate.

Sen. Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake City, was elected Wednesday to head the five-member Senate Democratic caucus. He was elected to the Utah House in 1986 and elected to the Senate in 1998. He replaces Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake City, who did not seek re-election to the Senate.

Sen. Karen Mayne, D-West Valley City, will serve as minority whip; Sen. Pat Jones, D-Salt Lake City, as assistant minority whip, and Luz Robles, D-Salt Lake City, as minority caucus manager.

Republicans will outnumber Democrats 24 to 5 when the 2013 Utah Legislature opens in January.

— Dennis Romboy

Twitter: dennisromboy