Today we’d like to introduce you to Dea Theodore
Hi Dea, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey into politics started years ago. I initially began volunteering on campaigns and caught the political bug. After becoming a party delegate, I began learning the processes of city and county government and was encouraged to run for a Sandy City Council seat. While I lost that election, I learned valuable lessons and gained the respect of people in the city. I am generally a very likable person and had the energy to keep my political efforts moving forward so when individuals from the community and some elected officials approached me in 2019 about running for the District 6 seat with the Salt Lake County Council, I jumped at the chance to run.
After knocking a collective tens of thousands of doors from my various campaigns, and coming in with the right message at the right time, I was elected to represent the residents of District 6. I have been privileged to represent my district for four years and am grateful to have been re-elected to serve for 4 more years. My goals moving forward include focusing on public safety and search & rescue, ensuring that our most vulnerable senior citizens have access to food through programs such as Meals on Wheels, and that we protect our beautiful canyons.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Has it been a smooth road? Simply stated, no. But I have learned that nothing worth fighting for is easy -and fighting for the opportunity to serve and give back to the community has been tough but worthwhile.
I lost my first election for a Sandy City Council seat. That was a tough loss, but it lit a fire in me and I knew that I could provide value to the City. Two years later, I ran for an at-large seat on the Sandy City Council and lost once again. As they say, third time’s a charm, with an incredibly small campaign budget, I set out to win the Salt Lake County Council seat for District 6 and won.
Professional Life and Career
First and foremost, the focus of my life and career has been to raise my children. Being a stay-at-home mom has been my guidepost for decisions I have made in terms of moving forward professionally.
I graduated from the University of Utah with a BS in Biology, and shortly after graduating made motherhood my full-time focus. As my children got older, I started volunteering in their school and began serving on various boards, including the PTA. Serving on these boards gave me the opportunity to be with my children both at school and at home, and taught me how these local organizations truly have the ability to influence the community. For a short time I was employed by the school district as a much needed substitute teacher.
Currently, along with raising my children and serving on the Salt Lake County Council, I am also a board member of a financial group working with large investors. I am also looking at possibly returning to school to pursue additional opportunities.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I grew up in Oklahoma. After my adopted parents divorced, I lived with my adopted dad until I was 17 when he passed away. From that point on, I was on my own. I learned what independence looked like and realized I needed to work hard to make it in the world. I paid my way through college at the University of Utah, where I later graduated.
I am an only child and because of that, I gained a level of independence early on. My first love was animals and I wanted to be a veterinarian. This is a passion that has followed me to this day and I am hopeful to make Utah a “no kill” state with our animals.
I’ve always been ambitious and an entrepreneur at heart. At a young age and before the internet age, I began selling door to door. In high school I ran track and field, and participated in various school clubs such as Key Club.
As I got older, I knew I wanted a job in helping others. But throughout everything I have put volunteer work and serving the community as a priority.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.vote4dea.com
- Instagram: @dea_theodore
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Dea-Theodore/100017738975782/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dea-theodore-a3206b20a
- Twitter: https://x.com/i/flow/login?redirect_after_login=%2Fdeatheodore
