Luz Robles

Luz Robles Escamilla (born February 4, 1978) is an American politician serving as a member of the Utah State Senate from the 10th District. From 2009 until 2023, she represented the 1st District and has served as the body's Minority Leader since 2023.

Early life, education, and career The daughter of two Mexican college professors, Escamilla was born in 1978 and raised in Mexico. After moving to the United States in 1996, Escamilla graduated from Marian Catholic High School in San Diego, California. She then earned her Bachelor of Science at the University of Utah in business marketing in 2000. In 2010, she received the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce Pathfinder Award and the SBA Award. She has also received the Pete Suazo Memorial Award from the University of Utah. Escamilla was first elected to the Utah State Senate in 2008 and was re-elected in 2012. In 2016, Escamilla served on the Executive Appropriations Committee and the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee. She also served on the following Senate standing committees: Senate Ethics Committee Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee Senate Health and Human Services Committee Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee.

In 2014, Escamilla ran unsuccessfully for Congress in Utah's 2nd congressional district as the Democratic Party's nominee. The seat was held by Republican incumbent Chris Stewart, who won reelection.

In 2019, Sen. Escamilla ran for mayor of Salt Lake City after Mayor Jackie Biskupski announced she would not run for another term. In the 2019 election, Escamilla lost, finishing second behind Salt Lake City Councilwoman Erin Mendenhall. She conceded the loss on November 6, 2019, one day after the race, after initial hesitation to concede in the event that mail-in ballots could affect results in the run-off election.

Electoral history 2024

2020

2019

2016

2014

2012

2008

Legislation

2016 sponsored bills Bill number and Title Primary Sponsor or Floor Sponsor Status SB48 Board Membership Restrictions Primary Senate/ filed 3/10/2016 SB49 Statute of Limitations on Environmental Code Violations Primary Senate/ to Governor 3/15/2016 SB64 Special Group License Plate Modifications Primary Governor Signed 3/18/2016 SB66 Environmental Code Fines Primary Senate/ filed 3/10/2016 SB117 Commercial Interior Design Certification Primary Senate/ to Governor 3/15/2016 SB125 After-School Program Amendments Primary Senate/ to Governor 3/17/2016

Notable legislation During the 2011 Legislative Session, Escamilla pioneered groundbreaking immigration reform legislation, SB60, which would issue illegal immigrants already living in Utah an "accountability card," giving them the right to work without changing their legal status. Immigrants would have to pass a criminal background check and learn English to obtain the permit. Immigration experts have hailed Escamilla's immigration bill and Escamilla herself as "ground breaking" and "creative." While her SB60 did not pass, it was a model for a guest worker program that ultimately did pass the 2011 Legislature.

Escamilla has also proposed a bill that would protect the rights of fathers against fraudulent adoption practices. SB 63 would have allowed a compact of states to share punitive father's records. This would help protect father's rights if mothers took their children out of the state without the father's knowledge. The bill was not voted on the floor before Utah's 45-day session was completed.

Escamilla introduced a bill to fund the Utah Department of Environmental Quality to install air and water monitors at the site of the proposed Utah Inland Port, to establish baseline readings for future comparison. An environmental impact study of the proposed port has not been completed.

Personal life Escamilla is married to former Arizona state representative Juan Carlos Escamilla. She is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.