Attorney General Jan Graham gives Senate President Lane Beattie a friendly pat on the shoulder Feb. 25, 1999. Graham has died, former Utah Minority Leader Scott Howell said in a statement Thursday. (Gary M. McKellar, Deseret News)

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SALT LAKE CITY — Jan Graham, Utah’s 18th attorney general and the only female attorney general in state history, has died, former Utah Senate Minority Leader Scott Howell said in a statement to KSL.

Graham served from 1993 to 2001. Her election in 1996 was also the last time a Democrat won a statewide office.

She was a founding member of Women Lawyers of Utah. In a speech to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the group, she said, “As we all evolved, women felt empowered to honestly disclose their own priorities without fear of being labeled second-class lawyers. Being ‘married to the practice of law’ used to be an honor; now it’s a sign of one’s need to visit a therapist.”

“Women and men still struggle to do it all,” Graham continued, “and most of us feel at least some of the time we are botching both jobs. Even so, we have come miles from the day when moms had to make up excuses for heading home to a child with a fever.”

Howell, who served alongside Graham in the state Senate, said, “Utah mourns the loss of a remarkable public servant with the passing of Attorney General Jan Graham. Jan Graham’s legacy is one of unwavering dedication to justice, exemplifying a profound commitment to the well-being of her community.”

In his time collaborating with Graham on “numerous challenging issues,” Howell said “she consistently prioritized the law above all, going beyond any other policy initiatives in our efforts. Her moral compass and integrity never wavered. Her contributions to the legal field and her enduring impact on the lives she touched will be remembered with deep respect and gratitude. May her memory continue to inspire a legacy of justice and compassion.”

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