Verona Mauga | |
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Member of the UtahHouseofRepresentatives from the 31st district | |
Assumed office January 1, 2025 | |
Preceded by | Brett Garner |
Personal details | |
Born | Kahuku,Hawaii,U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Website | Legislature website Campaign website |
Verona Sagato-Mauga is an American entrepreneur and politician serving as a member of the Utah House of Representatives from the 31st district since 2025. A Democrat,she is one of the first Samoans elected to the Utah State Legislature alongside Jake Fitisemanu and the first Samoan woman to serve in any continental state legislature. [1]
Mauga was born in Kahuku,Hawaii,to parents who immigrated from Samoa. She moved to West Valley City,Utah,as a child and graduated from Alta High School. [2]
She is a co-owner of My Choice Utah,an organization providing homes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities,as well as Sagato Bakery &Caféin Midvale,and co-founded Le Malu,an organization focused on American Pacific Islander mentorship and cultural preservation initiatives. [1]
Mauga ran for the Utah House of Representatives in 2024 against incumbent Democrat Brett Garner,who was appointed to the seat after Karen Kwan won a special election for the Utah State Senate. She was among a growing number of Asian American and Pacific Islanders running for office in Utah. [3] The Salt Lake County Democratic Party voted to nominate Mauga for the general election over Garner by 30 to 11 votes respectively. [4]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Verona Mauga | 7,148 | 57.90% | |
Republican | Bill Swann | 5,198 | 42.10% | |
Total votes | 12,346 | 100% |