{ "id": "ep6g0wjee5", "slug": "kirk-cullimore-jr", "title": "Kirk Cullimore Jr.", "updated": "2026-09-29", "topic_path": [ { "id": "society", "label": "Society and history", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society" }, { "id": "society.politics", "label": "Politics and government", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions", "label": "Government and public administration", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders", "label": "Politicians and government officeholders (biographies)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders" }, { "id": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-governors-and-state-officials", "label": "US governors and state officials", "api_url": 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"https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-governors-and-state-officials.state-legislators.western-and-pacific-state-legislators" }, { "id": "geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-governors-and-state-officials.state-legislators.western-and-pacific-state-legislators.alpha-a-to-c", "label": "Surnames A to C", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.us.t2021.society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-governors-and-state-officials.state-legislators.western-and-pacific-state-legislators.alpha-a-to-c" } ] } ], "excerpt": "Kirk Cullimore Jr. is an American politician and attorney elected to the Utah State Senate in 2018, representing District 19, and known for his work on artificial intelligence, data privacy, and digital identity legislation.", "snippet": "Kirk Cullimore Jr. is an American politician and attorney elected to the Utah State Senate in 2018, representing District 19, and known for his work on artificial intelligence, data privacy, and digital identity legislation.", "node": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-governors-and-state-officials.state-legislators.western-and-pacific-state-legislators.alpha-a-to-c", "markdown": "# Kirk Cullimore Jr.\n\nKirk Cullimore Jr. is an American politician and attorney who serves as a Republican member of the Utah State Senate, representing District 19, and is the Utah Senate's Majority Leader.[1](https://senate.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/CULLIKA_bio.pdf) • [2](https://www.governing.com/poy/2026/utahs-blueprint-for-governing-emerging-technology) He was elected to the Senate in 2018.[1](https://senate.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/CULLIKA_bio.pdf) He has become known for his work on artificial intelligence, data privacy, and digital identity legislation.[2](https://www.governing.com/poy/2026/utahs-blueprint-for-governing-emerging-technology)\n\n| Fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Party | Republican[2](https://www.governing.com/poy/2026/utahs-blueprint-for-governing-emerging-technology) |\n| Current office | Majority Leader, Utah State Senate[2](https://www.governing.com/poy/2026/utahs-blueprint-for-governing-emerging-technology); Utah State Senator, District 19 (elected 2018)[1](https://senate.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/CULLIKA_bio.pdf) |\n| Education | Associate degree in music, Utah Valley University[1](https://senate.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/CULLIKA_bio.pdf) |\n\n## Party affiliation\n\nCullimore is a Republican and serves in the Utah Senate's Republican majority caucus, which elected him to its leadership team.[3](https://senate.utah.gov/utah-senate-announces-majority-caucus-elected-leadership-team/)\n\n## Early life and education\n\nCullimore grew up in the northern part of Sandy, Utah, near Cottonwood Heights, and is the oldest of 10 children.[4](https://www.buzzsprout.com/2615498/episodes/19579338-kirk-cullimore-on-the-leadership-race-already-underway-in-the-utah-senate) He received an associate degree in music from [Utah Valley University](https://www.edgepedia.org/utah-valley-university) and a bachelor's degree in music from [Brigham Young University](https://www.edgepedia.org/brigham-young-university), and spent six years teaching music before becoming a lawyer.[1](https://senate.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/CULLIKA_bio.pdf) • [2](https://www.governing.com/poy/2026/utahs-blueprint-for-governing-emerging-technology) Before entering politics, he worked at his father's law firm and served as the Rental Housing Association of Utah's government affairs chair.[4](https://www.buzzsprout.com/2615498/episodes/19579338-kirk-cullimore-on-the-leadership-race-already-underway-in-the-utah-senate) • [2](https://www.governing.com/poy/2026/utahs-blueprint-for-governing-emerging-technology) He and his wife, Heather, live in Sandy with their six children.[1](https://senate.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/CULLIKA_bio.pdf)\n\n## Career\n\nCullimore was elected to the Utah State Senate in 2018, representing District 19.[1](https://senate.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/CULLIKA_bio.pdf) He has served as Senate Majority Leader.[2](https://www.governing.com/poy/2026/utahs-blueprint-for-governing-emerging-technology) In a 2026 profile, Governing reported that he has helped put the state at the forefront of AI, data privacy, and digital identity policy.[2](https://www.governing.com/poy/2026/utahs-blueprint-for-governing-emerging-technology) He is an attorney by training and a business owner; in a podcast interview, he said that legislative duties came to take 20 to 30 hours a week, and that his father's firm, where he had been managing partner, asked him to step away from the practice.[5](https://kirkcullimore.com/) • [4](https://www.buzzsprout.com/2615498/episodes/19579338-kirk-cullimore-on-the-leadership-race-already-underway-in-the-utah-senate)\n\n## Electoral history\n\nIn 2018, Cullimore was elected to the Utah State Senate from District 19.[1](https://senate.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/CULLIKA_bio.pdf)\n\n## Issues specific to Cullimore\n\nCullimore has drawn attention for Utah's emerging technology legislation. In 2024, he sponsored SB 149, which Governing described as a first-of-its-kind state AI law that imposed light regulations on AI use and created the nation's first Office of AI Policy, which works with companies to pilot new AI uses safely. The [American Legislative Exchange Council](https://www.edgepedia.org/american-legislative-exchange-council) based its model state AI legislation on SB 149.[2](https://www.governing.com/poy/2026/utahs-blueprint-for-governing-emerging-technology) Of his approach, Cullimore said, \"We're trying to pave a way in this new digital era where government responds properly and where we are looking to protect people from technology overreach while still allowing technology to develop and potentially better our lives.\"[2](https://www.governing.com/poy/2026/utahs-blueprint-for-governing-emerging-technology)\n\nHe also helped Utah become the fourth state to enact a far-reaching consumer data privacy policy, and the state now has the nation's first data privacy ombudsperson for complaints about government privacy practices.[2](https://www.governing.com/poy/2026/utahs-blueprint-for-governing-emerging-technology) He has introduced legislation creating the State Endorsed Digital Identity, or SEDI, which would set rules for digital ID use, with a focus on limiting what an accepting entity can access to only the information it needs.[2](https://www.governing.com/poy/2026/utahs-blueprint-for-governing-emerging-technology)\n\n## Positions and voting record\n\n### Technology and privacy\n\nCullimore has said government should protect people from technology overreach while allowing technology to develop, and that Utah should craft policies other states will want to adopt so companies do not bypass the state or sue to overturn its laws.[2](https://www.governing.com/poy/2026/utahs-blueprint-for-governing-emerging-technology)\n\n### Taxes and fiscal policy\n\nOn his campaign website, Cullimore writes, \"Since 2018, I've fought to lower taxes, defend constitutional freedoms, protect Utah families, and deliver conservative results that make our communities stronger.\"[5](https://kirkcullimore.com/)\n\n### Education\n\nHis campaign website states that \"$2.3 billion invested in public education since 2021 while Utah remains one of America's highest-performing school systems.\"[5](https://kirkcullimore.com/) On his campaign page, he writes that when he goes to the Capitol, \"he is fighting for the same things he cares about at home: strong schools, safe neighborhoods, and opportunities for every Utah family.\"[6](https://kirkcullimore.com/meet-kirk/)\n\n### Housing and growth\n\nIn a podcast interview, Cullimore discussed Utah's rapid growth and housing affordability, saying people would like to see their children be able to stay in Utah and have opportunities there, and that the state needs to work on workforce development.[4](https://www.buzzsprout.com/2615498/episodes/19579338-kirk-cullimore-on-the-leadership-race-already-underway-in-the-utah-senate)\n\n### Artificial intelligence and the economy\n\nCullimore has said one of the biggest changes in the economy is happening through AI, and that Utah needs to position its workforce to deal with AI so the state can continue to grow responsibly.[4](https://www.buzzsprout.com/2615498/episodes/19579338-kirk-cullimore-on-the-leadership-race-already-underway-in-the-utah-senate)\n\n## References\n\n1. [Sen. Kirk A. Cullimore biography, Utah Senate](https://senate.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/CULLIKA_bio.pdf)\n2. [Utah's Blueprint for Governing Emerging Technology, Governing](https://www.governing.com/poy/2026/utahs-blueprint-for-governing-emerging-technology)\n3. [Utah Senate Announces Majority Caucus Elected Leadership Team](https://senate.utah.gov/utah-senate-announces-majority-caucus-elected-leadership-team/)\n4. [Kirk Cullimore on the Leadership Race Already Underway in the Utah Senate, Back Channel podcast](https://www.buzzsprout.com/2615498/episodes/19579338-kirk-cullimore-on-the-leadership-race-already-underway-in-the-utah-senate)\n5. [Kirk Cullimore campaign website](https://kirkcullimore.com/)\n6. [Meet Kirk, Kirk Cullimore campaign website](https://kirkcullimore.com/meet-kirk/)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Society and history › Politics and government › Government and public administration › Politicians and government officeholders (biographies) › US governors and state officials › State legislators › Western and Pacific state legislators › Surnames A to C*\n\n*Initially written Sep 27, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 28, 2026; Sep 29, 2026 · Edited: Sep 28, 2026; Sep 29, 2026 · Last review: Sep 29, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/kirk-cullimore-jr", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/kirk-cullimore-jr.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Kirk Cullimore Jr.\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/kirk-cullimore-jr. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Kirk Cullimore Jr.](https://www.edgepedia.org/kirk-cullimore-jr)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/kirk-cullimore-jr](https://www.edgepedia.org/kirk-cullimore-jr). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Kirk Cullimore Jr.\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/kirk-cullimore-jr. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Kirk Cullimore Jr. is an American politician and attorney elected to the Utah State Senate in 2018, representing District 19, and known for his work on artificial intelligence, data privacy, and digital identity legislation." }