Jackie Biskupski

Witnessing an absence of progressive leadership on Utah’s Capitol Hill and openly hostile attitudes toward Utah’s gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community, Jackie Biskupski ran for the Utah House of Representatives in 1998 and became Utah's first openly gay elected official.

She won seven consecutive elections to represent district 30 for 13 years. Her greatest success was building the record of discrimination in the Utah Legislature that would later be used in the Kitchen v. Herbert marriage equality case. She served 8 years in the Administration of Sheriff Jim Winder as a Senior Policy Advisor and Special Projects Manager.

In 2016, Biskupski became the first lesbian to be elected as Mayor of a capital city and the second female Mayor of Salt Lake City. She led a team of over 3,000 employees and had direct oversight of 16 Departments and Salt Lake City's budget of $1.7 Billion dollars.

In just 4 years, she implemented several bold initiatives, including the creation of the Economic Development Department which delivered 9,000 jobs and a billion in capital investment. She negotiated an unprecedented franchise agreement with Rocky Mountain Power, and Salt Lake City became the 16th city in the country to commit to 100% Renewable energy by 2030. Today, 25 communities in Utah are committed to 100% renewable energy by 2030.

Under her leadership, the first Strategic Law Enforcement Plan was created for Salt Lake City and crime was reduced by 25% city-wide. The first affordable housing plan in 20 years was developed. Today, thousands of affordable housing units are being built, some of which are built to a net zero carbon emission standard. The first Transit Master Plan was developed and now, for the first time ever, students who are bused from the west side to the east side high schools can participate in after school activities.

Biskupski's ability to partner led to the successful bids for the 2023 All-Star Game, the opportunity for Salt Lake City to host another Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the 68th United Nations Civil Society Conference being held in Salt Lake City in 2019.

Biskupski is married to Betty Iverson and they have two sons, Archie and Jack. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Arizona State University.