State Sen. Brian Shiozawa, a leader on medical issues, resigns to take federal health care post

State Sen. Brian Shiozawa on Monday became the new regional director of intergovernmental and external affairs for Region 8 of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

The Cottonwood Heights Republican announced the news on Facebook and said he is resigning his state Senate seat effective immediately to take the new job in Denver. He also retired as an emergency room doctor at St. Mark’s Hospital.

“As regional director, I will ensure the department maintains close contact with state, local and tribal partners and address the needs of communities and individuals in these states,” he wrote on Facebook.

“As a presidential appointee, I will serve as the personal representative of the [HHS] secretary for the states of Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota,” he added.

“I want to thank the citizens of Utah Senate District 8 for whom I have had the honor to serve these two terms,” wrote Shiozawa, who was first elected in 2012. “While my role with you will now be different, I am honored to serve in this new capacity and will strive to continue to serve this great state in all the ways I can.”

Shiozawa added, “We face big challenges like never before. But I am confident that, together, we can reason, work and bring forth positive change in health care in our state and nation.”

He also thanked his patients and staff at St. Mark’s, where he practiced for 27 years.

Shiozawa is among the sponsors of an initiative now trying to qualify for the ballot seeking voter approval for large-scale Medicaid expansion that would give an estimated 120,000 Utahns health care coverage.

As a doctor, he often pushed legislation related to medicine — including successfully passing legislation calling for more scientific research into the use of medical marijuana, and one that required all motorcycle riders under age 21 to wear helmets.

Voting studies have shown that Shiozawa has been one of the most moderate Republicans in the Utah Legislature, one who leans more to the center or left than most GOP members.

He was enough of a moderate that Utah Democratic Party Chairwoman Daisy Thomas issued a statement on Monday saying that even her party will miss the Republican.

“Sen. Shiozawa is truly an admirable leader who believes in promoting good policy over politics,” Thomas said. “Sen. Shiozawa’s absence will be noticed during the upcoming Legislative Session.”

GOP delegates must now meet to select a nominee to be appointed by Gov. Gary Herbert to replace Shiozawa. The replacement will serve until next year’s general election. The winner of that election will serve only two years until 2020, rather than the normal four-year Senate term.

Kathy Allen, the Democrat who lost the special 3rd District congressional race this year, announced Monday that she will seek Shiozawa’s seat in the next general election. She also is a doctor, and also is a Cottonwood Heights resident.

Shiozawa’s Senate district, covering parts of Cottonwood Heights, Murray and Midvale, is considered one of the most competitive in Utah.