Utah Senate President Wayne Niederhauser has appointed Mark Thomas to serve as Utah Senate chief of staff.
As chief of staff, Thomas will oversee Senate operations and staff management, and will serve as the Senate’s primary spokesperson. Thomas will advise the Senate President and membership on issues related to policy, communications and constituent relations.
“I am confident that Mark Thomas will be an exceptional addition to the Utah Senate team. His demonstrated ability to understand complex policy issues and his track record of finding common-sense solutions makes him a uniquely suited individual to take over this critical role. My Senate colleagues and I are anxious to have him aboard,” said President Niederhauser.
“I greatly appreciate having the opportunity to represent the Senate Minority Caucus on the committee to select the new Senate Chief of Staff,” said Senate Minority Leader Gene Davis. “After interviewing many excellent candidates, I am confident that Mark will do an outstanding job for the Utah Senate and the people of this state. Our caucus is united in our support for Mark’s appointment and look forward to his leadership in guiding continued collaboration across the aisle.”
“I’m excited to accept this position and to become part of a superior Senate team. I look forward to working with President Niederhauser and the membership of the Senate in my new capacity,” said Thomas. “It is an honor to begin this new adventure with the Senate as its members continue to act as a thoughtful, deliberate voice of the people of Utah.”
Thomas currently serves as the chief deputy and director of elections for Lt. Gov. Spencer J. Cox. Prior to this position,Thomas served as office administrator to then Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert. He was appointed director of elections in 2009 by former Lt. Gov. Greg Bell, and has since focused on modernizing Utah’s elections and campaign finance, developing online voter and absentee registration, and updating antiquated election laws. Thomas was the recipient of the 2012 Governor’s Award for Excellence for Innovation and Efficiency, the 2013 Making Democracy Work Award and the 2014 G. Homer Durham Distinguished Service Award. He is a graduate of the University of Utah.
Thomas will transition to this new position in mid-November.
