|
|
|
|
|
Jackie BiskupskiJackie Biskupski is a Utah state legislator, businesswoman, and activist noted for being the first openly-gay representative in Utah. Born in Hastings, Minnesota, Biskupski has a criminal justice B.S. from Arizona State University and runs an insurance company. Legislatively and in her civic life, Biskupski is known for work on gay and feminist issues. Election as Representative In 1998, twelve-year veteran Representative Gene Davis (D) of Utah house district 30 announced his intention to run for state senate. Biskupski announced her candidacy for the vacated district which included parts of Sugar House and Central Salt Lake and South Salt Lake. Considered an exceptionally liberal district, Biskupski faced off against Bryan Irving, owner of a construction company. The election was controversial because an anti-homosexual ad campaign by Utah conservative Gayle Ruzicka arguably helped Biskupski's candidacy. Ruzicka, who Bryan Irving reports never even called him, declared a moral campaign against Biskupski in September. The Utah County conservative sent out over 6000 fliers to residents in district 30. Among other things, the ads claimed that homosexuals lure young people and subvert traditional marriage. However, the campaign backfired as many residents perceived Ruzicka to be both homophobic and a carpetbagger in the election. "With people like Gayle Ruzicka involved, it almost makes me want to be a Democrat," Bryan Irving was quoted in the November 5 Salt Lake Tribune. "I don't think I would have won. But she cost me about 10 points. Somehow the party has got to get a leash on her." Biskupski won the election with a nearly 2-to-1 margin and has been re-elected three terms, still serving district 30 as of 2005. References - "Candidate Says Rein In Ruzicka", Salt Lake Tribune, November 5, 1998.
- "Out in Front: Utahs Only Openly Gay Legislator", Salt Lake Metro, accessed online February 1, 2005.
External link Biskupski, Jackie Biskupski, Jackie
|
 |
|
| Copyright 2005-2009 OnPedia.com. All Rights Reserved |
|
|