SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Democrats are accepting nominations for their annual Taylor and Mayne Awards.
Those awards — intended to recognize Utah’s grassroots leaders, labor champions and Democratic activists – will be presented at an awards dinner scheduled from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m on May 30 at Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City.
State Democrats are inviting nominations from the public for individuals who embody a commitment to service, organizing, community leadership and growing the Democratic Party in Utah, according Party Chair Brian King.
The Taylor Award is named in honor of the late Todd Taylor who passed away in 2012. He served as executive director of the Utah Democratic Party for 20 years, longer than any other state political party director in the nation.
Renowned for his encyclopedic knowledge of Utah history and politics, Taylor guided many election campaigns, including serving as campaign manager for Kem Gardner’s gubernatorial campaign in 1992.
A lifelong champion of labor and the underprivileged, Ed Mayne was elected to the Utah Senate in 1994 to represent West Valley City. He rose to the rank of assistant minority whip, while also serving as president of the Utah AFL-CIO.
When Mayne passed away in 2007, he was succeeded in the Senate by his wife Karen who became known as a champion for blue-collar workers, winning the respect of both Democrats and Republicans for fighting for workplace safety and labor rights.
Nominations for deserving individuals for the Taylor and Mayne Awards will be accepted until Wednesday, May 13. Those nominations should be sent to link@utahdemocrats.org
Tickets for the upcoming Taylor and Mayne Awards Dinner can be obtained by going online to https://secure.actblue.com/donate/fr-taymay26
Hogle Zoo is located at 2600 Sunnyside Avenue in Salt Lake City.