A New Dawn for the West Side

My name is Dawn Stevenson, and I’m a career educator running for Utah House to invest in public education, protect our environment, and promote accountable, ethical leadership for the people of the west side. I hope you’ll join me!

My Story

When the youngest of my five children started pre-school, I made a choice that made all the difference in my life; I went back to school as a 33-year-old college student. I became the valedictorian at my junior college, and I realized for the first time in my life that I was smart. My dream marriage was falling apart. I believed I would eventually have to provide for my children. It took me 9 years to complete my bachelor’s degree in English teaching. I then completed a master’s degree in school counseling, and eventually another master’s program in education administration. Education opened the door for my success as a secondary school counselor and a state level education program leader.

Education made all the difference. It does for most of us, for our children, and for our grandchildren. Not just college education—everyone needs training in addition to high school: on-the-job, certifications, internships, apprenticeships, military, all the trades—training that will lead to a living wage and support a family. We must teach students to do school as if their life depends on it—because it does. 

I am a baby boomer. I have enjoyed all the benefits of my generation: stable employment, secure housing, ever expanding opportunities, and an environment not in crisis. It is my sacred obligation to provide those same benefits for you, for your children and your grandchildren. You deserve the freedom of a good education, employment opportunities, stable housing, a stable economy, an ethical government, and a healthy environment that will support you and the generations to come. 

I am:

  • a fifth-generation Utahn

  • a first-generation college student

  • a daughter of a single mom, been a single mom

  • a career educator

  • a mother-in-law to three first-generation Americans. I understand the challenges of immigrants and their families

  • married to an electrician: supporter of blue-collar workers, the construction industry, and unions

  • a patriot and military supporter, a three-generation military family. My father-in-law was second wave at Omaha Beach. My husband is a Vietnam combat veteran. His twin sons are military: one Army with a combat tour in Afghanistan and a training tour in Jordan, the other a career Marine, a Faculty Advisor at the Marine Corps University Staff Non-commissioned Officers Academy in Camp Pendleton. Our son-in-law is a Navy veteran. I have seven brothers, three Navy and one Marine, also a Vietnam combat veteran.

My Priorities

Education

  • Protecting, sustaining, and fully funding our free and public education system

  • Promoting and supporting civics education and participation, emphasizing our individual role in a functioning government

Environment

Ethics

  • Ensuring that our elected leaders are accountable to their constituents and their declared positions

  • Ensuring that our representative government fairly and adequately represents all residents

Get involved with the campaign!