{ "id": "epgvv8zj90", "slug": "wayne-harper", "title": "Wayne Harper", "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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since 1997 and is Senate president pro tempore.", "node": "society.politics.institutions.politicians_and_officeholders.us-governors-and-state-officials.state-legislators.western-and-pacific-state-legislators.alpha-d-to-h", "markdown": "# Wayne Harper\n\nWayne Harper is an American politician. A Republican, he is a member of the Utah Senate, representing the 6th district.[1](https://le.utah.gov/Documents/demographic/profiles/2020/Senate_Dist06.pdf) He has served in the Utah Legislature since 1997, in both the House and the Senate, and is the Senate president pro tempore.[2](https://senate.utah.gov/sen-wayne-harper-named-ncsl-president-elect/) In 2023 he was named NCSL president-elect, and he served as NCSL president for the 2024-25 term; he has since served as president emeritus, and Barry Usher (R-Montana) is NCSL president for 2026-27.[2](https://senate.utah.gov/sen-wayne-harper-named-ncsl-president-elect/)\n\n| Fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Party | Republican[1](https://le.utah.gov/Documents/demographic/profiles/2020/Senate_Dist06.pdf) |\n| Current office | Member of the Utah Senate, 6th district[1](https://le.utah.gov/Documents/demographic/profiles/2020/Senate_Dist06.pdf); Senate president pro tempore |\n| Previous offices | West Jordan city councilman[2](https://senate.utah.gov/sen-wayne-harper-named-ncsl-president-elect/) |\n| Education | Bachelor's degree in history and master's degree, Brigham Young University[2](https://senate.utah.gov/sen-wayne-harper-named-ncsl-president-elect/) |\n\n## Party affiliation\n\nHarper is a Republican.[1](https://le.utah.gov/Documents/demographic/profiles/2020/Senate_Dist06.pdf)\n\n## Early life and education\n\nHarper received his bachelor's degree in history and a master's degree from [Brigham Young University](https://www.edgepedia.org/brigham-young-university).[2](https://senate.utah.gov/sen-wayne-harper-named-ncsl-president-elect/) He resides in Taylorsville, Utah.[2](https://senate.utah.gov/sen-wayne-harper-named-ncsl-president-elect/)\n\n## Career\n\nHarper began his public service career as a [West Jordan](https://www.edgepedia.org/west-jordan) city councilman.[2](https://senate.utah.gov/sen-wayne-harper-named-ncsl-president-elect/) He has served in the Utah Legislature since 1997, serving in both the House and the Senate during his tenure.[2](https://senate.utah.gov/sen-wayne-harper-named-ncsl-president-elect/) He is the Senate president pro tempore and chairs numerous committees, including the Senate Transportation, Public Utilities, Energy, and Technology Committee and the Senate Retirement and Independent Entities Committee.[2](https://senate.utah.gov/sen-wayne-harper-named-ncsl-president-elect/)\n\nHarper has been an active member of NCSL, serving on various committees and working groups. He was NCSL's vice president before being named president-elect, succeeding Rhode Island Speaker Pro Tempore Brian Patrick Kennedy, who became NCSL president at that year's Legislative Summit in [Indianapolis](https://www.edgepedia.org/indianapolis). NCSL alternates its leadership annually between the two major political parties, and Harper was named NCSL president at the 2024 Legislative Summit.[2](https://senate.utah.gov/sen-wayne-harper-named-ncsl-president-elect/) At the time of the announcement, Harper said, \"I look forward to continuing the progress NCSL has made in policy and collaboration,\" and, \"As NCSL's vice president, bipartisanship remains a top priority for me as I serve in this new role and continue to represent my constituents in Utah as well as legislators and legislative staff across the states.\"[2](https://senate.utah.gov/sen-wayne-harper-named-ncsl-president-elect/)\n\n## References\n\n1. [Demographic Profile of Senate District 6](https://le.utah.gov/Documents/demographic/profiles/2020/Senate_Dist06.pdf)\n2. [Sen. Wayne Harper Named NCSL President-Elect](https://senate.utah.gov/sen-wayne-harper-named-ncsl-president-elect/)\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 D to H*\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/wayne-harper", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/wayne-harper.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": "\"Wayne Harper\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/wayne-harper. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Wayne Harper](https://www.edgepedia.org/wayne-harper)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/wayne-harper](https://www.edgepedia.org/wayne-harper). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Wayne Harper\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/wayne-harper. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Wayne Harper is an American Republican politician, a Utah senator representing the 6th district who has served in the Utah Legislature since 1997 and is Senate president pro tempore." }