Meet Senator Todd Weiler of Utah’s 23rd Senate District

This is the sixth in a series of  interviews with some of Utah’s elected officials. In addition to high-profile candidates, Utah has many public servants whose quiet work often goes unsung. With this series, I hope to shine a light on the personalities that make up Utah’s political leadership, not only for their work in government, but also to show what they are like as our neighbors.

The questions are a potpourri of the fun and the serious, and I hope allow us a small glimpse into the men and women who run our state.

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Although I’ve known Senator Todd Weiler for a couple years now, perhaps what most indicates his quality and value is how he is judged against his opponents in his election, earlier this year, to the Utah Senate. I was there in Davis County when Republican Party delegates met with and listened to speeches from seven candidates seeking to fill the state Senate seat vacated when Dan Liljenquist challenged Orrin Hatch for the US Senate. I met several of them, and I am good friends with one of them (occasional contributor here, Ben Lusty). Without exception, all were qualified and intelligent people, and I would be hard pressed to find a local race in recent memory where so many good candidates running for the same office.

Todd beat them all, though, and with good reason. He’s articulate, he worked hard to meet each delegate, and he convinced them that he’d be a hard worker in the state legislature. If what I’ve been able to see since the session started is any indication, then I think he has met expectations handily. I’d be surprised if he does not receive the nod from the delegates, again, to be their candidate in April for a full term. (And not just because Senator Weiler is a BYU alumnus, though I would say that’s definitely a fact in his favor).  Senator Weiler is a man who is going places.

We caught up for a few minutes on the phone just before the session started.

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Congrats, Senator Weiler. Has it been a busy week?

Oh, more than you can believe!

I’ve heard that before. In addition to your new responsibilities as a State Senator, tell me what you do for a day job.

I used to work for a law firm here in town, but in recent months I’ve transitioned to a position working in-house for Logistics Specialties, Inc.  I’m Vice President of Legal and General Counsel, manage a small business unit, conduct all in-house legal needs. Logistics Specialties is a great company, really a great job, and I appreciate the people there supporting me in the Legislature.

Tell me a little about your background in politics. You were Davis County Republican Party Chair at one time, if I remember right.

Right. I started on the Woods Cross City council in 1999.  I also ran for the Utah house in 2000 and lost in the primary Roger Barrus.

And before even that?

[chuckles] Politics is in my blood. I remember crawling out of bed when I was nine to  watch the election returns in 1976.

How have you been involved since 2000?

I finished my city council term in 2003, was elected to two successive terms as Davis County Republican Party Chair, and in 2007 served as Utah Republican Party Vice Chair during Enid [Michelson] and Stan [Lockhart’s] terms as Chair. During the last two years, I have been on the state GOP central committee and executive committee.

Where did you get your education?

I have a business undergrad and law degree from BYU. Before that, I worked for a travel company in RI where it was based, but it was sales job, so I traveled all over.

Favorite Vacation?

We just took the kids to Loa, Utah for Labor Day, and had a ball.  I’ve also enjoyed traveling to the Panama Canal, to Alaska, to Mayan ruins…

Favorite Local Restaurant?

Sunshine Café in North Salt Lake.

What are you reading right now, or what would you recommend?

I’m reading “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand. It’s a true story of about a man who survived Japanese internment camp. It’s an incredible book. I believe they’re making a movie out of it, too.

Bond or Mission: Impossible?

Definitely Bond, though Daniel Craig not my favorite to play the part.

Wife’s favorite flowers?

Red roses.

What are your plans for the coming session?

I’ve a couple bills I’m working on. One, on adoptions, is prioritized. It was filed last session, and I’m working with Larry Jenkins on that. I’ve opened several other bill files for matters that I addressed during my campaign.

Another I’m working on will make government smaller by eliminating a traffic management committee that has fulfilled its purpose.

Could you tell me more about the adoption bill?

It creates a procedure that would allow an unmarried woman to give notice to the biological father of through certified mail, and makes some other changes.

What’s something people might not know about you?

I’m a cyclist, and I have riden my bike to work each day, eighteen miles round trip ways for last three and a half years.

Wow. That’s…even in cold weather? What’s it like?

Not unlike skiing.  I plan to do it even during the legislature.

Another thing that they may not know is that I am the first person in my family to graduate from college, and grad school.

Thanks so much for your time, Senator.

Thank you.

Related articles

• Dan Liljenquist resigns, followed by Dave Clark (hollyonthehill.wordpress.com)
• Meet Senator Casey Anderson of Utah’s 28th Senate District (publiusonline.com)