Copyright Salt Lake Tribune
Incumbent mayors up for election across Utah’s most-populous county this year appeared to be largely cruising to victory. Of the 11 current city leaders who sought reelection, nine held advantages over their challengers as of Friday, according to unofficial returns. Mayors Mike Weichers and Paulina Flint of Cottonwood Heights and White City, respectively, were the only incumbents who appeared to be on their way out. Rep. Gay Lynn Bennion, a Democrat, mounted a strong challenge to Weichers, who endorsed Republican Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs in the 2024 U.S. Senate race. Bennion earned 57% of the vote, partial returns showed. Municipal mayoral races are nonpartisan by state law, but that didn’t stop some politics watchers from considering Bennion’s apparent win a “flip” from Republican to Democratic leadership. Bennion said she was “very excited” by the unofficial returns but would not declare victory until final results had been released or Weichers conceded. She attributed her performance to her name recognition and community outreach. “The people know me,” she said. “They know that I listen and that I reflect their values.” Weichers, on the other hand, said he was honored to have served as Cottonwood Heights’ mayor. “Politics, even within small city government, can be a tough game to play,” he said in a statement. “As discouraging as the turnout and results have been, I love Cottonwood Heights and it’s been the honor of a lifetime to get to serve as the mayor. I give my best wishes and support for the new mayor and council moving forward.” He later clarified that he had not yet officially conceded the race. Incumbents surge in Salt Lake County Midvale Mayor Dustin Gettel was one of the incumbents who appeared to be coasting to a victory. The campaign was Gettel’s first for the office after City Council members appointed him to the role late last year following the resignation of former Mayor Marcus Stevenson. Gettel received 61% of the first-place votes in a three-way race decided by ranked choice voting, unofficial results indicated. His opponents, Brandee Boyer and David Fair, captured 20% and 19%, respectively. “Thank you for believing in me and giving me the honor to continue serving this great community as mayor,” he wrote in an Instagram post late Tuesday night. “I’m excited for a little rest, but even more excited to keep moving Midvale forward together!” Incumbent mayors were also surging to new terms in Draper, Herriman, Murray, Sandy, South Jordan, South Salt Lake and West Valley City. Bluffdale Mayor Natalie Hall was the only incumbent leading with a razor-thin advantage. She campaigned for a second term against former city planning commissioner Connie Pavlakis. The two were separated by 73 votes, according to unofficial returns as of Friday. New faces ascend to leadership Five other communities were destined to get new leaders after their current mayors stepped aside. Riverton’s race was especially compelling, with current leader Trent Staggs leaving the role at the end of his term for a job in President Donald Trump’s administration. Two City Council members jumped into the race: Tish Buroker and Tawnee McCay. Buroker earned endorsements from the three other council members and from Staggs. McCay’s husband, Riverton Republican Sen. Dan McCay, said he would step down from his seat if she won the contest. Issues like ongoing growth and the city’s partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement animated the race. Buroker jumped out to a 40-percentage-point lead in unofficial returns. “Thanks Riverton,” she said in a Facebook post Wednesday. “I look forward to serving and representing Riverton proudly and honorably. I’m so appreciative of the great support I have received throughout the campaign. It has definitely been a journey with many helping hands along the way.” McCay, in her own Facebook post, shared affection for her community. “I love Riverton,” she wrote. “The people have spoken and I want to congratulate Tish Buroker on a well-run campaign. I am confident Riverton is in good hands. … I’m excited to find other ways the Lord wants me to serve.” Elsewhere, Holladay’s Paul Fotheringham, Magna’s Mickey Sudbury and Brighton’s Scotty John were running for vacant offices and held significant leads over their rivals.
