This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Gov. Gary Herbert formally appointed Derrin Owens, a counselor at Juab High School and part-time rancher, to fill a vacancy created in House District 58 after Herbert hired Rep. Jon Cox to be the governor's communication director.
"Derrin brings a unique perspective to the Legislature having spent his entire career in public education," Herbert said in a statement. "His experience as a teacher, school counselor and rancher have prepared him to effectively serve the people of Sanpete and Juab counties. I am confident that in his new legislative role, he will continue to be a strong voice for Utah's rural communities."
Owens was chosen by Republican delegates in the central Utah House district, beating out four other candidates in a special election late last month.
When he is sworn in later this month, Owens will become the fourth person to hold the House 58 seat in less than three years.
Rep. Stephen Sandstrom retired from the seat in 2012 to run for Congress. He was replaced by Spencer Cox, who served for nine months before Herbert chose him to replace Lt. Gov. Greg Bell.
Spencer Cox was replaced by Jon Cox, a distant cousin, who held the seat for nearly two years.
"I am anxious to contribute all I can as a member of the House of Representatives," Owens said in a statement.
Twitter: @RobertGehrke