Biography
CJ Hernandez is the Democratic candidate for the Utah State Senate, District 5, in the November 3, 2026 general election, an open seat also contested by Republican Jill Koford.[1][2] In a Ballotpedia survey, she described herself as a Weber County native and former senior U.S. diplomat with more than three decades of public service.[3]
Hernandez graduated from Weber High School, earned a bachelor's degree from Weber State University in 1994 and a graduate degree from Utah State University in 1998, according to her Ballotpedia profile.[2] In a Ballotpedia survey, she said she began her career at Hill Air Force Base and with the Defense Logistics Agency in Europe, and later served as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer in eight countries.[3] After returning to Utah, she said, she worked with the Ogden City Mayor's Office on community partnerships.[3]
Hernandez said her priorities include lowering the cost of living, strengthening public schools, and protecting Utah's air, water and the Great Salt Lake.[3]
- 1.Utah State Senate elections, 2026 · Ballotpedia Reference
- 2.CJ Hernandez - Ballotpedia · Ballotpedia Reference
- 3.CJ Hernandez - Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey (2026) · Ballotpedia Candidate's own words
Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.
Utah Senate District 5
CJ Hernandez is on the Nov 3, 2026 ballot for Utah Senate District 5 as D. Not researched in depth — candidate list only.
