Utah Rep. Marsha Judkins will not be filing for reelection this year and plans to exit the Utah Legislature at the end of her term in December 2024.

“I have decided not to run for reelection to the House,” Judkins, R-Provo, wrote in an email to constituents on Wednesday. “However, my legislative term does not end until December of 2024, and I will continue to work hard for you, to represent your interests, to communicate with you, and to advocate for the individuals and families of Utah.”

Judkins has represented the area since 2018, when she was appointed to replace then-Rep. Keith Grover after he moved from the House to the state Senate.

“I love helping constituents cut through governmental red tape, doing research to answer questions, and working with state and local agencies to get things done,” Judkins continued in her email. “Getting to know my constituents and helping out are some of the most important and gratifying aspects of my job.”

So far, two Republicans have filed to run for the seat, which covers parts of Provo, Orem and Utah Lake.

Travis Hoban, current Provo City Council representative for District 4, and Lisa Shepherd, policy advisor to Utah County Commissioner Tom Sakievich, are both running for District 61.

Shepherd has been heavily involved in Utah Republican circles, having held various positions within the party, such as previously being the Utah GOP secretary. She currently serves as the House District 61 chair in the Utah Republican Party.

Combining her work within politics and in the community, such as with her local PTA, Shepherd describes herself as “the voice of the people” and said her experience working with constituents in the area and being a resident has equipped her to potentially become a lawmaker.

“I really feel that the best legislation comes from the people within your district, those you represent,” she said.

Because of her “firsthand experience” working with the GOP and Utah County, Shepherd said she understands what issues to take to the Legislature and also what funding is needed for her district.

Hoban said he already represents some of the constituents in District 61 through the Provo City Council and is running to continue that work on the state level.

“I think it’s natural for me to want to expand on what I’ve been doing on City Council and, you know, be able to do some more good things for pretty great constituents,” he said.

Hoban recently won reelection for Provo City Council in an uncontested race in November. He has been on the council since 2019 and will remain a councilman while campaigning.

If elected to the Utah House, Hoban said his top priority would be housing.

“I think we’ve really felt some significant pain here in Provo and Orem in regards to housing,” he said.

A key priority for Shepherd is transportation, an increasing issue in Utah County as the area continues to grow. Other key issues for her are education, public safety and taxes.

The filing period to declare candidacy for public office in Utah continues until Monday.

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