To Weber State University economics or business students, the name Deana Froerer may sound familiar. Having taught at Weber State for 20 years, she has solidified herself as a very capable economics professor. However, she’s taking that experience and branching out.
Students were surprised to learn on March 15 that their professor is in the running for Utah State Senate in the 19th District against the current incumbent, Allen Christensen.
“The feedback I’ve had has been the very positive and enthusiastic feedback,” said Froerer, regarding her students’ reaction to her campaign.
Froerer grew up in a very “politically charged” family in Kansas. She had a sister that served as Bill Clinton’s assistant press secretary during his first term as governor of Arkansas and later ran as a Democrat for the House of Representatives in Florida. Froerer has another sister who is currently a Republican-elected county commissioner in Kansas.
“Because of these roots, I’ve always learned to be bipartisan, down the middle, my whole life, to build a coalition so I could survive,” Froerer said.
Froerer spectated Utah politics for years but finally decided to run to provide more of a balance.
“Their voices are well represented,” she said of Republican males. “We need more balance, and having the economic business background with the education background is the reason people approached me because I can bring something valuable.”
Not only has Froerer taught at Weber State for 20 years, she also teaches financial literacy and is a student mentor at Ogden’s DaVinci Academy. Her business background includes being the vice president and regional economist for KeyCorp, the president of Richard T. Pratt Associates and has worked in economic research for the University of Utah and the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas.
“I can bring a new voice, a fresher voice, a new view that can be backed up with experience,” said Froerer.
Froerer admits that she still has a lot to learn on the political side of things but has never been intimidated to learn things on the job.
She has also only received support from the faculty and staff for her campaign.
“No one has expressed any concern for conflict of interest or anything like that, only support,” said Froerer.
If elected, Froerer is unsure how it will affect her teaching career at Weber State or the DaVinci Academy but says she is ready for whatever comes next and advises students to take a deeper look into politics as well.
“Open your eyes to where you’re going and how the political area affects that,” Froerer said. “And start engaging a little bit more, especially when it affects your future.
