Aurora Livingston graduated from the University of Utah in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a Minor in Gender Studies. Her journey toward a career in government began at the Hinckley Institute of Politics, where the Political Forum Series played a pivotal role in shaping her academic and professional trajectory.

As a freshman in 2008, Livingston entered college at a historic political moment, with Barack Obama’s presidential campaign energizing voters across the country. Through the Hinckley forums, she engaged with pressing issues of the time - from the role of race and gender in political discourse to the financial crisis, military conflicts abroad, and marriage equality debates in California. These discussions taught her how to critically evaluate candidates and ballot measures, sparking her passion for politics and influencing her decision to major in Political Science and minor in Gender Studies.

As a young woman interested in a career in government, I was drawn to these conversations and the way that power, image, and politics are deeply interconnected. Looking back on that time now, these forums provided a space for us to reflect on some of the defining issues of my generation.

Livingston also fondly recalls the impact of Dr. Dan Jones and his wife, Pat Jones, whose respected polling work emphasized fairness, neutrality, and the power of public opinion in shaping Utah politics. Their example inspired her later graduate work in public policy and reinforced her commitment to strengthening democratic processes, particularly through elections administration.

The Hinckley Institute not only helped Livingston discover her academic path but also inspired her career in public service. Following graduation, she interned at the Salt Lake City Mayor’s Office before moving into elections work at Salt Lake County and later with the San Francisco Department of Elections, where she advanced to Voter Relations Manager. She went on to earn a Master of Public Policy at UC San Diego, further honing her skills in policy and data analysis.

Today, Livingston serves as District Representative for California State Senator Catherine Blakespear in District 38, where she analyzes complex policies and advances equitable solutions for one of the largest economies in the world. 

I am doing work that I love and advancing equitable, thoughtful policy that solves problems and helps people.

She credits the Hinckley Institute with opening the door to her passion for politics and connecting her to a lifelong career dedicated to public service.