2025 saw new Utah politicians elected on the local, state and national levels. Some consider identity politics indicative of a changing political landscape, while others seek to preserve traditional party lines.
The Chronicle sat down with freshmen politicians Tiara Auxier, Grant Amjad Miller and Natalie Pinkney to discuss their approaches to Utah politics.
Road to office
One new U.S. Senator. Nineteen new state representatives. Three new County Council members. 2024 and 2025 have seen an influx of fledgling politicians from all walks of life, few of whom saw themselves entering politics.
Such was the case for State Rep. Tiara Auxier (R-4), a mother, tax accountant and school district councilmember. Auxier entered the race for a last-minute vacancy and won her special election only one week before the 2025 legislative session began.
“I never thought I would actually run for office,” Auxier said. “A lot of it has to do with being involved in my kids’ schooling [and] wanting to have a bigger say at the state-level … it seems like there’s a lot of state overreach happening. Local counties and cities need to push back against that more.”
Auxier’s involvement with her school district and professional experience as a tax accountant led her to identify and fight a “shadow tax” increase on school boards. She sees her role in the state legislature as a check on state overreach and pushing for local government power retention.
State Rep. Grant Amjad Miller (D-24) is a Palestinian-American and member of the ska band, Makeways. Miller similarly saw himself first and foremost as a public defender. He continued his eight-year career while serving on the House Judiciary Committee, among others, this past session.
“I started my career as a public defender for those in vulnerable circumstances. My journey into politics is pretty much an extension of that goal,” Miller said. “I discovered that most people that land in the criminal justice system need broader resources — incarceration isn’t the answer. The more I started using social work as part of my litigation strategy, more people weren’t coming back into the system. But the system isn’t designed for that.”
Miller sought legal reform, particularly regarding reform-based alternatives to incarceration. He spoke with pride on H.B. 383, Court Fine Amendments. The bill allows judges to credit the cost of court-ordered treatments towards criminal fines, reducing the barrier of rehabilitation-oriented services, and was signed into law on March 25.
“Even as a freshman democrat, I could pass law and make law in a super-majority,” Miller said.
For Salt Lake County Councilmember Natalie Pinkney (At-Large C), the road to politics was more straightforward. “I naturally came into politics by being a community organizer,” Pinkney said. “I fell in love with talking to people and asking them how we could make our community better … People in my community wanted me to step up.”
Pinkney is the first Black woman and the first Black person elected county-wide to the Salt Lake County Council and sought to advocate economic development policies and preservation of the Great Salt Lake.
Changes to the political landscape
Pinkney and Miller both see their tenure as a new page for the Utah Democratic Party.
“People don’t really think about democrats in Utah,” Pinkney said. “To spread democracy, to stand for civil liberties and individual rights … that really resonated in the county. We are kind of a blue dot, but we’re also a purple county. People want a balanced government.”
Miller didn’t realize Salt Lake City’s changing political climate until he began to campaign. “We have, for the first time in Utah, a lot of desire and interest,” Miller said. “People are galvanized and showing up to protests. There’s this momentum there. People are hungry for something different. It doesn’t have to be partisan, it just has to be different.”
Auxier also noticed a desire to overcome partisan politics in the House. “I think something that surprised me is that it’s actually a really collaborative process. I was surprised by the amount of coalition building … usually we try to bring people in that will be affected by the legislation and talk through any issues they may have to reach a compromise.”
Pinkney similarly saw value in coalition-building. “People really want a balanced government … When we have governments with a super-majority, they tend to stop listening to their voters.”
Uncertain futures
As they contemplate the future, Auxier and Miller do not necessarily identify as lifelong politicians.
“I’m not sure if I want to be a career politician or not,” Auxier said. “I saw a need. I wanted my voice to be heard in my district … I’m just here as long as I can help and be effective.”
Auxier currently serves on the Education Interim Committee, where she hopes to expand on prior legislation regarding free and reduced school lunches. In conjunction with the State Board of Education, Auxier will push to ensure students have the time they need to eat each day.
Miller favors self-imposed term limits for politicians, but is also constrained by Utah’s entirely red national presence.
“I got into this for specific reasons,” Miller said. “I wanted to build community. I’m only interested in so long as I’m serving the community. I don’t want the seat forever. In Utah, there’s no upward mobility. I don’t want to be mayor.”
Miller continues to advocate for criminal reform in his capacity as both a legislator and a public defender. He is united with Pinkney in advocating for youth civic engagement.
“You don’t need to go big to make a big impact,” Miller said. “Some of the big things I was able to do were as a community activist … The only reason you’re discouraged is because there’s a lot of nastiness in politics. Don’t lose hope, don’t lose faith, stay focused.”
“Start now,” Pinkney said. “Find a campaign and become a volunteer. The best way to learn how politics work is helping other people run for office … You’re never too young to be involved.”
