Sahara Hayes

Sahara Hayes is a committed community member and empathetic leader, and has lived in her district for
over 20 years. Her background is in nonprofit organizations and local government, and through these
efforts Sahara has come to deeply understand the unique concerns and challenges that impact her
community. When she was elected in 2022 Sahara became Utah’s only openly LGBTQ+ legislator and the
state’s first openly bisexual lawmaker.
During her first term in office Sahara stepped up as a prominent voice for the LGBTQ+ community. In
addition to fighting against her colleagues’ efforts to strip transgender Utahns of their rights, she ran the
only bills aimed at increasing LGBTQ+ protections. Sahara’s guiding principle is that public policy needs to
be centered on the people who are the most vulnerable. Her top priorities are strengthening Utah’s
education system, protecting the environment, and advocating for LGBTQ+ youth.
Outside of politics, Sahara is an avid reader, hiker, knitter, and aerialist. She graduated from Westminster
College, then earned her Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Utah. She lives with her
partner, Lily, and their rescue pets.