Mike K. McKell is an American lawyer and politician from the state of Utah. A member of the Republican Party, McKell is a member of the Utah State Senate serving the 25th district. Prior to redistricting he represented the 7th District. In November 2024, McKell was elected as the Majority Assistant Whip.[1] He also previously served in the Utah House of Representatives, in the 66th district from 2013 to 2021. Spencer Cox, the Governor of Utah, is McKell's brother-in-law.[2]

Mike McKell
Member of the Utah Senate
Assumed office
January 1, 2021
Preceded byDeidre Henderson
Constituency7th district (2021–2023)
25th district (2023–present)
Member of the Utah House of Representatives from the 66th District
In office
January 1, 2013 – January 1, 2021
Preceded byMichael Morley
Succeeded byJeff Burton
Personal details
Political partyRepublican
SpouseBrandi Cox

Early life and career

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Mike McKell grew up in Ferron, Utah. He earned a B.A. from Southern Utah University and a J.D. from the University of Idaho.[3] McKell is the founding partner of Utah Legal Team.[4] Martindale-Hubbell has confirmed that attorney Mike McKell maintains the AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale-Hubbell's highest possible rating for both ethical standards and legal ability. [citation needed] On November 4, 2013, McKell was admitted in open court to the Supreme Court of the United States Bar. Mike McKell has been named by Utah Business Magazine multiple times as a member of Utah's Legal Elite.[citation needed] In 2014, McKell was selected for his personal injury work. McKell has also been recognized in Super Lawers as a rising star in the Utah legal market.[citation needed]

Political career

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  • 2012 Mckell was chosen out of four candidates at the Republican Primary on June 26, 2012. Mckell then defeated Democratic nominee Brian Hauglid in the general election on November 6, 2012, with 10,779 votes (85.8%).
  • 2014 Mckell defeated Scott Woolston in the Republican convention and went on to win the general election held on November 4, 2014, against Zachary Lewis with 5,155 votes (84.4%).[5]
  • 2020 ran successfully in his move to the Senate to replace Deidre Henderson, who ran successfully for the position of Lt. Governor.
  • 2024 McKell defeated Alan Hansen in the general election with 38,597 votes (78.74%)[6]

In 2023, McKell sponsored and passed legislation limiting access to social media for minors, making Utah the first state to do so.[7] Since the bill’s passage, 12 other states have enacted bills or adopted resolutions with social media restrictions for minors.[8]


2016 sponsored legislation

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Bill Number Bill Name Bill Status
HB0005 Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environmental Quality Base Budget Governor Signed - 2/16/2016
HB0064 Rate Committee Amendments House/ filed - 3/10/2016
HB0073 Financial Disclosure Modifications House/ filed - 3/10/2016
HB0084S01 Wildlife Amendments Governor Signed - 3/25/2016
HB0141 Window Tinting Amendments House/ filed - 3/10/2016
HB0159S01 Line-of-duty Death Benefits Amendments Governor Signed - 3/25/2016
HB0161 Agriculture Parcel Amendments Governor Signed - 3/22/2016
HB0192S03 Opiate Overdone Response Act—Pilot Program and Other Amendments Governor Signed - 3/23/2016
HB0231 Hospital Lien Law Amendments House/ filed - 3/10/2016
HB0235S01 Remote Transactions Parity Act House/ filed - 3/10/2016
HB0239 Access to Opioid Prescription Information via Practitioner Data Management Systems Governor Signed - 3/21/2016
HB0286 Law Enforcement Traffic Safety Amendments House/ filed - 3/10/2016
HB0311 White Collar Crime Registry Amendments Governor Signed - 3/28/2016
HJR004S01 Joint Resolution on Water Infrastructure Transfer House/ to Lieutenant Governor - 3/8/2016
HJR013 Joint Resolution on Nonhazardous Solid Waste Fees House/ filed - 3/10/2016

McKell also floor sponsored SB0031S01 Tax Commission Levy Process, SB0052S02 Rate Committee Modifications, SB0072 School and Institutional Trust Lands Management Amendments, SB0092 Water Conservation Amendments, SB0110S03 Water Quality Amendments, and SB0138 Health Insurance Coverage for Emergency Care, SB0173S02 State Fair Park Revisions, SB0182S02 Sales and Use Tax Revisions, SB0231 Waste Management Amendments, and SB0246S02 Funding for Infrastructure Revisions.

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References

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  1. ^ https://senate.utah.gov/utah-senate-announces-majority-caucus-elected-leadership-team/
  2. ^ Gehrke, Robert (October 15, 2013). "How Cox rose from farm boy to lieutenant-governor-in-waiting". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  3. ^ https://senate.utah.gov/sen/MCKELMK/
  4. ^ https://utahlegalteam.com/about/
  5. ^ "Election results". Ballotpedia. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  6. ^ https://app.enhancedvoting.com/results/public/utah-county-ut/elections/general11052024
  7. ^ https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/utah-state-senator-addresses-scope-new-law-regulating/story?id=98405585
  8. ^ https://www.ncsl.org/technology-and-communication/social-media-and-children-2023-legislation
  9. ^ "2016GS Bill Search Results". Salt Lake City, Utah. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
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