Carlos graduated from law school at Rafael Urdaneta University in 2009 and specialized in labor law at the University of Zulia. That same year the president of Venezuela's parliament accused him of treason and conspiracy on national television.
He left the country and arrived in Utah in December 2009 as an international student. He asked for political asylum and started over. He calls himself a conservative by conviction: he watched a government dismantle a country one institution at a time, and he does not take a working county for granted.
Education
Starting over at SLCC
At Salt Lake Community College he earned two associate degrees: Political Science and Government, and Homeland Security and Emergency Management.
He was elected student body president for two terms, the first Latino and the first immigrant to hold that seat, and served as vice president of the Utah Student Association.
2 degreesPolitical Science; Homeland Security
2 termsSLCC student body president
VPUtah Student Association
Family and business
West Jordan is home
Carlos became a United States citizen in October 2022. He works as a community outreach representative for a national energy management consulting firm and owns a small business in West Jordan with his wife, Norbelys.
They are raising three boys: Carlos Isaias, Carlos Rodrigo and Carlos Luciano.
Every vote is important, no matter your ethnicity, background or economic challenges. Your vote is your voice.Carlos Moreno, KSL, 2024
Recognition
Awards and service
Recognitions Carlos has received in Utah since he arrived as a student, and the boards where he serves today.
Awards
2023Distinguished LeaderUtah Living Color Gala and Utah Business Magazine
2023Outstanding Community Leader AwardFrancisco de Miranda Lodge (also 2019, 2021 and 2022)
2022Flag of the United States, Congressional AwardRep. Chris Stewart and Rep. Burgess Owens
2020Inspirational and Distinguished LeaderUtah Living Color Gala and Utah Business Magazine
2018Local HeroSalt Lake County
2018Community Support AwardUtah Attorney General
2018Rookie of the Year and Rookie #8 in the NationMassMutual Intermountain West
2017Legislative Champion AwardUtah Student Association
2016Board of Trustees AwardSalt Lake Community College
2016Multicultural Student Leader of the YearSalt Lake Community College
2015Polynesian Honorary AwardTongan Association of Utah
Source: campaign records.
Boards and organizations
New Leaders for AmericaFounder and president
Jordan Education FoundationBoard of directors
SLCC Alumni Leadership CouncilMember
Family
The Moreno family
Service
Elected by the West Side
In November 2024 the voters of District 2 elected Carlos to the Salt Lake County Council as the Republican candidate, with the endorsement of the Independent American Party, for the seat left by David Alvord.
He took the oath in January 2025. The county describes him as one of the first Latino members of the Council. His campaign ran in English and Spanish, because District 2 is home to much of the county's Latino community and, in his words, language is essential on the West Side.
Carlos graduates from law school at Rafael Urdaneta University in Maracaibo and specializes in labor law at the University of Zulia. That same year the president of Venezuela's parliament accuses him of treason and conspiracy on national television for his activism against human rights abuses.
Dec 2009
Utah, and political asylum
He leaves Venezuela and arrives in Utah as an international student. He asks for political asylum and starts over.
SLCC
First Latino student body president
At Salt Lake Community College he earns two associate degrees, in Political Science and Government and in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and is elected student body president for two terms, the first Latino and the first immigrant in that seat, representing more than 65,000 students. He also serves as legislative vice president of the Utah Student Association.
2016
Asylum granted, and a voice against socialism
The United States grants Carlos political asylum. He founds Venezuelan Students Abroad, a network of more than 30,000 Venezuelan students, and takes the story of Venezuela to the U.S. Congress, the Senate and international organizations.
Oct 2022
U.S. citizen
Carlos takes the oath as a United States citizen. Senator Mike Lee, Congressman Burgess Owens and Congressman Chris Stewart organize a ceremony at the Utah Capitol to celebrate it. He runs an insurance agency in West Jordan with his wife, Norbelys, and they are raising three boys.
2023
Distinguished Leader
Utah Business Magazine and the Utah Living Color Gala name Carlos a Distinguished Leader, after recognitions from Congress (2022), Salt Lake County (Local Hero, 2018) and the Utah Attorney General (2018).
2024
A resolution against socialism
With other survivors of communist and socialist regimes, Carlos brings SJR005, a joint resolution against communism and socialism, to the Utah Legislature.
Nov 2024
Elected by the West Side
District 2 voters elect Carlos to the Salt Lake County Council as the Republican candidate, with the endorsement of the Independent American Party.
Jan 2025
Sworn in
Carlos takes the oath of office, one of the first Latino members of the County Council and, according to KSL, the first naturalized citizen elected to office in Utah.
Friends of Carlos Moreno pays for outreach in English and Spanish, community meetings and the 2028 campaign. Every contribution is reported as Utah law and county ordinance require.
