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Nicole Gonzales reporting He was known as the man of the people, and now constituents and legislators alike are wondering who will fill the shoes of Ed Mayne.
State Sen. Mayne passed away following a 9-month battle with cancer. He served the state for more than 30 years as a senator of West Valley City.
The overall feeling from those who knew Mayne is that Utah has lost a man who was passionate for what he believed in. Most of all, he was one of the most likable people they ever knew.
Mayne died yesterday in his home. He was 62 years old. He had been battling lung cancer for nine months.
Besides his 30 years as West Valley City's senator, Mayne was also the longest serving state AFL-CIO president in the United States.
Mayne will be remembered as an advocate for the working family. "Ed actually has always been a champion of those people that we would consider underdogs; economically underdogs, physically underdogs, people who were struggling to make their way in our society. Ed always championed their efforts," Allan Ayoub, labor liaison for the AFL-CIO, said.
Utah 3rd District Sen. Gene Davis said, "Even those who disagreed with him, when the day was done didn't just think he was a great guy, and just really filled with the energy and vitality of loving people."
While in the Senate, Mayne worked to maintain benefits for the neediest Utahns on Medicaid, he worked to increase the minimum wage for workers, and also wanted to protect mobile home residents from being evicted with little notice.
Mayne was known for bringing opposing sides together on emotional issues. His personality certainly united a lot of people.
Gov. Jon Huntsman has authorized flags at state buildings to fly at half-staff.
Mayne is survived by his wife and two children. A benefit banquet will be held in Mayne's honor at the Grand America Hotel on Dec. 4.
