Rep. Kera Birkeland is stepping down from the Utah State Legislature to focus on family matters.
Lawmakers across Utah say they were not surprised to learn that Rep. Kera Birkeland (R-Mountain Green) was stepping down from the Utah State Legislature despite her reelection just last month.Instead of serving as a lawmaker, Birkeland is taking a job as the director of policy for the Montana Grain Growers Association.She became a household name earlier this year due to her efforts in passing a transgender bathroom bill.Her supporters say she's a champion for women's rights.
Her opponents call her a transphobe.'She has been passionate,' said Sen. Curt Bramble (R-Provo). 'She has taken on tough issues, and she has represented her constituents with dignity, with honor. Not everyone agrees with her policies, but I can't think of a finger elected official to have served with.'Bramble is also leaving office next year, but he did not seek reelection.He served with Birkeland as co-chair of the Admin Rules Review and General Oversight Committee, which is tasked with holding government agencies accountable.'Utah is losing a high quality member of the Legislature,' Bramble said.Birkeland has always faced her critics head on.She continues to post and share some of the backhanded messages 'congratulating' her on her move to Montana politics.The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Utah wrote:'Kera Birkeland determined what was best for her and her family, exercising the freedom and autonomy she worked to deny others.'Bramble said he was not surprised to see Birkeland step down, and he does not believe the resignation had anything to do with criticism or threatening messages.'She has some real challenges with her parents,' Bramble said. 'Spending time with her parents is a top priority for her... As an elected official, someone (often) resigned because they have pressing family matters. (In this case), she does, in fact, have very pressing family matter
POLITICS LEGISLATURE RESIGNATION FAMILY UTAH
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