Brian King Elected Utah Democratic Party Chair After 16-Year Legislative Career

Brian King, a former Utah State Representative and 2024 gubernatorial candidate, was elected chair of the Utah Democratic Party with 52% of the vote at the party's 2025 State Convention held in Ogden. King, who served 16 years as a state legislator and former House Minority Leader, aims to revitalize the party by holding Republicans accountable and connecting with a broad spectrum of voters to flip legislative seats. His main opponent, Ben Peck, a 25-year-old former executive director of the Salt Lake County Democratic Party, received 45% of the vote and emphasized the need for year-round organizing and a more active leadership approach. Outgoing chair Diane Lewis expressed confidence in King’s leadership, and the convention also adopted a new party platform and passed resolutions addressing presidential term limits and workforce reductions in the Veterans Affairs Department. King acknowledged frustrations within the party but pledged to bring vision, experience, and dedication to rebuild and win elections amid Utah Democrats’ long statewide losing streak. The leadership change signals a strategic effort to prepare for the 2026 midterm elections and strengthen Democratic influence in Utah.