Melissa Garff Ballard

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Melissa Garff Ballard
Member of the
Utah House of Representatives
from the 20th district
Assumed office
January 1, 2019
Preceded byBecky Edwards
Personal details
Born
Melissa Garff

Davis County, Utah, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseCraig Ballard
RelationsM. Russell Ballard
(father-in-law)
Children6
ParentRobert H. Garff (father)
Residence(s)North Salt Lake, Utah, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Utah (BS, MM)

Melissa Garff Ballard is an American politician and music educator, who has been serving as a member of the Utah House of Representatives since January 2019, representing District 20.

Early life and education

Ballard was born and raised in Davis County, Utah, the daughter of politician, businessman, and religious leader, Robert H. Garff.[1] She earned both bachelor's and master's degrees in music from the University of Utah, and is a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music.[2] During her youth, Ballard lived in England for three years while her father was president of the England Coventry Mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church).

Career

She served on the Advisory Board for Salt Lake CAP Head Start for six years.[3]

Ballard succeeded Becky Edwards, who did not seek re-election in 2018. Ballard won the Republican party nomination for the seat in a three-way race in June 2018.[4] Ballard was elected to the Utah House in November 2018, defeating Democrat Ryan L. Jones with 65% of the vote.[5]

Personal life

Ballard lives in North Salt Lake, Utah. She is a member of the LDS Church and served with her husband, Craig Ballard, when he was president of the Oregon Portland Mission from 2011 to 2014. Her husband is the son of M. Russell Ballard, the current acting president of the LDS Church's Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Ballard and her husband are the parents of six children.

Ballard's father, Robert Garff, died on March 29, 2020 of Coronavirus disease 2019.[6][7] Garff and his wife, Katherine, had recently returned from a trip to Palm Springs, California when they were diagnosed.[8]

References

  1. ^ "About Melissa". MELISSA BALLARD. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
  2. ^ Official Utah House web page
  3. ^ "Looking back: Top 10 stories from 2018," The Davis Clipper, Jan 4, 2019
  4. ^ "Ward, Ballard collect wins in primary elections for Legislature," Standard-Examiner Jun 26, 2018
  5. ^ "Election results as of late Tuesday for Utah races, issues," Deseret News, Nov. 7, 2018
  6. ^ Klekas, Mark (2020-03-29). "Utah philanthropist, auto exec Bob Garff passes away due to coronavirus". KJZZ. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
  7. ^ "Utah business titan Bob Garff dies from COVID-19, his daughter says". KSTU. 2020-03-29. Retrieved 2020-03-30.
  8. ^ Imlay, Ashley (2020-03-29). "Salt Lake County orders some nonessential businesses closed as Utah COVID-19 cases pass 719". Deseret News. Retrieved 2020-03-30.


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