Scott Howell (politician)

Scott N. Howell
Born	(1953-09-28) September 28, 1953 Provo, Utah, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Politician, Business Executive
Known for	Utah State Senator; Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in 2000 and 2012

Scott N. Howell (born September 28, 1953) is a politician from Utah in the United States. He was the Democratic candidate for the United States Senate representing Utah during the 2000 and 2012 Senate races.

Early life and education

Born in Provo, Utah and raised in Salt Lake City, Howell attended Dixie State College on a football scholarship. He later obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Utah.

Career

Following his graduation, Howell began working at IBM, where he rose to the positions of director of Global System Integrators/Channel Strategies and executive for IBM’s Public Sector operations. In these capacities, he supported governments across the globe in enhancing operational efficiency through information technology solutions.

In 2003, Howell completed an executive education program at Harvard, earning certification as an "IBM Certified Professional." Three years later, in 2006, he received a "Master Deal Maker" certification from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

On an international scale, Howell promoted the concept of "Smart Communities," advising governmental bodies in countries such as Australia, Japan, Italy, and Latvia.

He and his wife, Linda, are parents to four sons.

Utah Senate

Howell served three terms as a member of the Utah State Senate, including eight years as the Senate Democratic Leader. During his tenure, he championed initiatives to introduce online government services like vehicle registration and leveraged his corporate background to push forward reforms in health care, transportation, public safety, and taxation. His committee roles encompassed Health and Human Services, Education, Government Innovation, Transportation, and the Olympic Sports Authority. Additionally, Howell was a senior member of the Executive Appropriations Committee responsible for managing Utah’s $1.3 billion yearly budget.

2012 U.S. Senate election

At the Utah Democratic Convention held on April 21, 2012, Howell earned the party’s nomination for the U.S. Senate race against incumbent six-term senator Orrin Hatch. Securing 63% of votes at the Salt Palace Convention Center, he positioned himself as a conservative Democrat reflecting Utah’s socially conservative electorate.

Howell’s campaign that year centered on three main issues: energy policy, education improvements, and economic growth. In August 2012, he publicly criticized Hatch for avoiding debates by not attending scheduled forums. Howell remarked, "I believe he thinks the best way to keep his job is to not let people see they have a choice." The Salt Lake Tribune subsequently called on Hatch to participate in debates, emphasizing fairness and recalling Hatch’s own 1976 campaign when he challenged incumbent senator Frank Moss.

Community involvement

Howell is affiliated with prominent organizations including the Harvard Policy Group at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, serves on the board of the United States Internet Council, and is a member of the Democratic Leadership Council, which advocates free-market policies. He held an officer role within the State Legislative Leaders Foundation and completed leadership training at the Darden School of Business.

Within Utah, Howell played an active role in significant projects such as the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Organizing Committee. He was also on the board of directors for Intermountain Healthcare from 1992 through 2002. In 2007, he was named Trustee to the Board of Sutter Health. Moreover, Howell worked alongside Salt Lake City's Pioneer Park Coalition to promote stability and development within that neighborhood.

External links

• Financial contributions recorded at OpenSecrets.org

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