Roger Rawson

Background

Rawson was born in 1939 in Weber County, Utah.

Education

He attended Utah State University on a basketball scholarship.

Career

In 1972, Rawson was elected as a Democrat to the Utah House of Representatives at the age of 33. He served from 1973 until 1983 where he rose to become majority whip and subsequently as majority leader. Due to his educational background, he was a strong advocate for public and higher education and helped create a master"s of education program at what was then called Weber State College in 1978.

He did not seek re-election in 1982.

After his retirement from the legislature, he served a single four-year term as a Weber County Commissioner. As of 2009, Rawson was the last Democrat to serve as the majority leader in the Utah House of Representatives due to the rise of Republican dominance since the late 1970s.

Rawson died on December 19, 2009 from liver disease.

Achievements

• After the Republicans won control of the House in 1978, Rawson served as the minority leader.

Membership

Before entering politics, he taught history, political science and economics at Roy High School, where he was named outstanding faculty member of the year.