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- Rep. Kera Birkeland will resign from the Utah Legislature on Jan. 10, 2025.
- She cited family and professional commitments, including her mother's illness, as reasons for her decision.
- Birkeland is known for sponsoring controversial bills on transgender issues during her tenure.
MORGAN — Republican state Rep. Kera Birkeland announced she will resign early next year, citing increased family and professional responsibilities.
Birkeland, who has represented constituents in Daggett, Duchesne, Morgan, Rich and Summit counties since she was appointed in 2020, will resign her District 4 seat effective Jan. 10, 2025, just days ahead of the upcoming general legislative session.
"My family and professional commitments have increasingly required my attention away from home, a trend I anticipate will persist for the next year or two," Birkeland said in a resignation to House Speaker Mike Schultz she posted on X. "This choice was not made lightly; it has weighed heavily on my mind for some time, partly because I feel that my work here is far from complete. Nevertheless, the present circumstances demand that I focus on other significant responsibilities."
My priorities are:
— KeraBirk (@KeraBirk) December 26, 2024
My Faith
My Family
My constituents
Right now my family, particularly my parents, need more of my time.#utlegpic.twitter.com/0LJXCxhEgI
Birkeland elaborated on her resignation in an email to colleagues Thursday, writing that her "mother's illness has required significant time and attention, and I feel it's necessary to focus on my family during this challenging period.
Birkeland was first appointed to the Legislature in April 2020 and was reelected to another two-year term last month.
In the nearly five years she has served in Salt Lake City, Birkeland became a well-known member of the GOP caucus, after running several controversial bills addressing transgender issues. She was the sponsor of HB11, a 2022 bill that passed late in the session banning transgender athletes from participating in girls high school sports.
Gov. Spencer Cox vetoed the bill — citing the process of drastic changes to the legislation in the final hours of the session — but lawmakers met in a special session to overrule the governor's veto. Portions of the law have since been paused by the courts.
Birkeland said the bill is an effort to ensure fairness in girls sports, a cause she has continued to champion by supporting the Utah State women's volley team after it chose to forfeit a match against San Jose State due to allegations that one of the San Jose State players is transgender.
Earlier this year, Birkeland sponsored another bill that restricts restroom access for transgender individuals in government-owned facilities and expands requirements for unisex facilities and changing rooms in government buildings.
Schultz weighed in on Birkeland's resignation announcement on Thursday, calling her a "fierce advocate for the people in House District 4 and for the people of Utah."
"I'm proud to call her a colleague and more importantly, a friend," he said. "I wish her nothing but the best and thank her for her years of service in the House."
Birkeland described her time in the Utah House of Representatives as "immensely fulfilling" and said she hopes her successor will continue "upholding the common sense and values that define Utah."
"I am grateful that my children have seen their mother balance work, public service, faith and family for many successful years," she wrote. "But, it is OK to prioritize the things that matter most. For me, that is and always will be my family."
Contributing: Daniel Woodruff
