Ronald Rencher, who served as speaker of the House in the Legislature the last time Democrats held a majority in the body nearly half a century ago, died Monday at age 82, according to a statement from the law firm Parsons, Behle and Latimer, where he was a shareholder.
, Rencher said, “Utah is basically conservative, ... most legislators are conservative, ... but I wouldn’t say it’s Republican-controlled.”
He continued, “There are going to be some issues where the Democrats will stick together, but again, from a philosophical standpoint, it’s easier for Republicans to vote straight Republican.” The Tribune described him as “soft-spoken,” and wrote that his “approach centers around a ‘relaxed’ atmosphere. However, should the representatives become a bit ‘too relaxed,’ a sharp call to order from him isn’t far behind.” Rencher’s leadership method, The Tribune reported, was one “many feel has produced results in view of the amount of legislation in the hoppers.”
Utah Democratic Party Chair Diane Lewis said in a statement to The Tribune, “During his 10 years in public office and beyond, Speaker Rencher served his community with dedication, and his legacy of service will live on. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones as they celebrate his remarkable life and career.”
After spending four years as U.S. attorney under Carter, he worked as legal counsel for the Intermountain Power Project, a coal-fired electricity plant in Delta. That plant — Utah’s largest — was previously scheduled to shutter in July 2025, butRencher eventually became general manager of Intermountain Power Agency, a Utah political subdivision that provides energy to municipalities in both the Beehive State and California.
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