Rosemary Lesser
American politician

Rosemary Lesser
Member of the Utah House of Representatives
from the 10th district
In office
January 16, 2021 – December 31, 2024
Preceded byLaWanna Shurtliff
Succeeded byJill Koford
Personal details
PartyDemocratic
Residence(s)Ogden, Utah, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Notre Dame (BS)
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (MD)

Rosemary T. Lesser is an American physician, United States Air Force veteran, and Democratic politician who represented Utah House of Representatives District 10 from January 2021 until December 2024.[1][2]

Early life and education

Lesser was raised in an Air Force family and lived on multiple U.S. and European bases during childhood.[3] She was a member of the first cohort of undergraduate women admitted to the University of Notre Dame, earning a B.S. in preprofessional studies in 1976.[4][5] She received an M.D. from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in 1981.[2]

Military and medical career

After medical school, Lesser served around 15 years in the United States Air Force as an obstetrician-gynecologist, with duty assignments including Germany and Texas.[6][7] She completed an OB/GYN residency at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas.[8]

After completing military service in 1992, she settled in Ogden, Utah, practicing at the Ogden Women’s Clinic and at Ogden Regional Medical Center and McKay-Dee Hospital until 2012; she later worked as an OB hospitalist, including at the Ogden Clinic.[6][9] Lesser has also participated in medical volunteer work, including surgical outreach in Mali, West Africa, and emergency medical response following the 2010 Haiti earthquake.[6][a]

Political career

Following the death of Rep. LaWanna “Lou” Shurtliff on December 30, 2020, Democratic delegates in House District 10 recommended Lesser for appointment; Governor Spencer Cox appointed her on January 16, 2021, and she took office during the 2021 general session.[1][11][12]

In the 2022 general election she defeated Republican nominee Jill Koford with 52.3% of the vote (5,771 to 5,271).[13] In 2024, Koford narrowly defeated Lesser in one of the state’s closest House races; canvassed county results certified Koford’s win and flipped the Weber County–based seat to Republicans.[14][15][16]

Lesser served on several legislative committees, including the House Health & Human Services Committee and the House Political Subdivisions Committee.[17][18] She was elected Democratic caucus manager in late 2022 and served in the caucus leadership during the 2023–2024 sessions.[19]

Lesser’s priorities included expanding access to health care, eliminating the state sales tax on groceries, strengthening early childhood supports, and clean air and natural resource protection.[20] Commentators frequently noted her uncommon status as a Democratic legislator from outside Salt Lake County.[21]

Personal life and community

Lesser and her husband, physician and Air Force veteran Dave Lesser, live in Ogden; they have six children and grandchildren.[6] She has been involved with community organizations including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Weber–Davis, Onstage Ogden, the Olene S. Walker Institute of Politics & Public Service at Weber State University, and the Women in Business Committee of the Ogden–Weber Chamber of Commerce.[22]

Her recognitions include the 2024 Community Leader of the Year award from United Way of Northern Utah[23] and the 2025 ATHENA International Leadership Award from the Ogden–Weber Chamber of Commerce.[24][25]

Notes

  1. ^ While numerous sources document extensive medical relief efforts in Haiti, specific rosters of individual volunteers are not always publicly listed.[10]

References

  1. ^ a b "Gov. Spencer Cox appoints Rosemary Lesser to represent House District 10". Office of the Governor of Utah. January 16, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  2. ^ a b "Rosemary Lesser". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  3. ^ "Elected Officials". Weber County Democratic Party. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  4. ^ "Road to Retirement Leads Right Back to Public Service for USU Alumna". Uniformed Services University. January 2022. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  5. ^ "How Notre Dame admitted undergraduate women 50 years ago". University of Notre Dame. August 9, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d Vandenack, Tim (January 16, 2021). "Ogden physician Rosemary Lesser picked to fill the open seat in the Utah House". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  7. ^ "Utah Democrats select successor to late Ogden Rep. Lou Shurtliff". Gephardt Daily. January 16, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  8. ^ "Dr. Rosemary Tirinnanzi Lesser, MD". Everyday Health. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  9. ^ "Dr. Rosemary Lesser, MD — Obstetrics & Gynecology". WebMD. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  10. ^ "Haiti Earthquake 2010 — Emergency Response". International Medical Corps. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  11. ^ "Weber County Democrats recommend Rosemary Lesser for Utah House". Ballotpedia News. January 21, 2021. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  12. ^ Johnson, Tim (January 31, 2021). "State Rep. Rosemary Lesser, Utah's newest lawmaker, adjusting to new role". Standard-Examiner. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  13. ^ "Utah House of Representatives District 10 — 2022 election results". Ballotpedia. Retrieved October 23, 2025. Incumbent Rosemary Lesser defeated Jill Koford … Lesser 52.3% (5,771) ; Koford 47.7% (5,271).
  14. ^ Vandenack, Tim (November 20, 2024). "Jill Koford wins District 10 Utah House seat, flips seat to Republicans on second try". KSL.com. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  15. ^ Vandenack, Tim (November 20, 2024). "Jill Koford wins District 10 Utah House seat, flips seat to Republicans". Deseret News. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  16. ^ "Republican Jill Koford wins House District 10 as Weber County certifies election results". Standard-Examiner. November 19, 2024. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  17. ^ "House Health & Human Services Committee — Members (2024)". Utah Legislature. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  18. ^ "House Political Subdivisions Committee — Members (2024)". Utah Legislature. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  19. ^ Vandenack, Tim (November 23, 2022). "Rep. Rosemary Lesser picked to Democratic Caucus leadership post". Standard-Examiner. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  20. ^ "PRIORITIES". RosemaryLesser.com. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  21. ^ "Rep. Lesser wins election to Utah House post, lauds efforts of volunteers". Standard-Examiner. November 15, 2022. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  22. ^ "Meet Rosemary". RosemaryLesser.com. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  23. ^ "Community Recognitions — 2024 Community Leader Award (United Way of Northern Utah)". RosemaryLesser.com. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  24. ^ "2025 ATHENA Award Recipient: Rosemary Lesser". Ogden–Weber Chamber of Commerce — Women in Business. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
  25. ^ "Dr. Rosemary Lesser to receive ATHENA Leadership Award". UtahPolicy.com. January 2025. Retrieved October 23, 2025.
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