A fifth-generation Utahn, Jenny Wilson is serving her second six-year term on the Salt Lake County Council. In 2005, she became the first woman elected to the Council, where she has led numerous policy initiatives, including ethics reform, government efficiency, criminal justice reform and open space preservation. She was a co-founder of the Jordan River Commission.
Wilson has experience at all levels of government, having served as press secretary to U.S. Rep. Les AuCoin (D-OR) and as chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Bill Orton (D-UT), a Blue Dog Democrat. She also served as an aide to the Utah state legislature and was a candidate for Salt Lake City Mayor in 2007.
In addition to her service in government, Wilson has broad experience working in the private and nonprofit sectors, serving in key positions for the Sundance Institute and Film Festival, the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, Voices for Utah Children and the University of Utah’s John A. Moran Eye Center. She has served on numerous boards of trustees and community positions. Most recently, Wilson directed and produced a documentary film, THE GRAND RESCUE, which aired on PBS stations throughout the United States. It is the story of a 1967 rescue on the north face of the Grand Teton, in which her father, Ted Wilson, was one of the park service rescuers.
One of five children, Jenny is the daughter of former Salt Lake City Mayor Ted Wilson and Kathy Wilson, an artist and small business owner. She is a graduate of East High School in Salt Lake City and the University of Utah, and received a Masters in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School. Wilson and her husband have two sons.
Notes:
In the first block we meet Jenny Wilson, who is the Democrat party nominee for a US Senate seat from Utah. She tells about growing up in Utah (and briefly away from Utah) and some of her influences. Discussion includes her father’s time as mayor, her mother’s reaction to the 1978 revelation on people of African descent and the priesthood, and the LDS church and its influence in Utah politics. They also discuss life on the campaign trail which includes being in parades and raising money. Jenny reviews her career, including time in New York City and Washington, DC, and some of the jobs she has had. She tells a little about what has motivated her to run for the Senate seat.
The second block begins with a discussion of the Republican candidate (and Jenny’s opponent), Mitt “Mittens” Romney. Jenny discusses the difference in the campaign finances between her campaign and Mitt’s. She discusses other campaign issues and points out some of the differences between herself and Mitt. She mentions that although she is still on the rolls as a member of the LDS church, she is no longer active. She discusses some of the difference in the two major political parties and the current polarization in US political system. We learn that Utah last had a Democrat senator in 1976. Jenny discusses some of the differences between Salt Lake City and some of Utah’s rural committee.
The third block starts with a discussion of LDS culture focusing on civil engagement and Jenny tells what brought her back to Utah. Jenny tells some stories about how people in Utah have stepped up to help their neighbors. Jenny discusses campaign finance reform, which she feels is one of the most important issues, and offers some alternatives to our current system. They discuss some of the inherent problems with campaign donations what donors want in exchange for their contributions. Richie gives Jenny an open forum to say anything she would like and she makes a case for Utah sending a Democrat to Washington. The episode ends with one of the usual questions asked of everyone who steps into The Cultural Hall.
Links:
Jenny Wilson for US Senate campaign site
Official site for the documentary Church and State
Mitt Romney for US Senate campaign site
Citizens United v. FEC at Wikipedia (campaign finance reform case)
Sponsors:
Best DJ in Utah (redirects to the Richie T. Experience)
The Cultural Hall at Patreon
LDS Bookstore (use the promo code “backrow”)
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