Utah Legislature will boast record number of women

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — The incoming Utah Legislature will include a record number of women, though the state still lags behind the national average.

When the legislative session begins in late January, 25 of the 104 members will be women, The Salt Lake Tribune reported this week. That accounts for 24 percent — the highest portion in state history, surpassing the previous high of 23 percent in 2002. Women accounted for 20 percent of the state Legislature in 2017 and 2018.

While the increase is being hailed as progress, Utah still lags behind the national average of 28 percent, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The surge in Utah mirrors a nationwide trend as an increasing number of women run and win public office.