Mendenhall Leads Early Returns in Race for Salt Lake City Mayor
After nearly a year of contentious campaigning, the results are in for the Salt Lake City mayoral election and the early returns show incumbent mayor Erin Mendenhall leading with 59% of the vote. Her chief rival, former Mayor Rocky Anderson, is trailing with 34% of the vote, while long-shot candidate Michael Valentine has 6%.
Mendenhall, who was seeking a second term, spoke to her supporters at a watch party in downtown Salt Lake City, expressing gratitude and confidence in the early results. “This election ends with voters saying loudly and clearly that they want Salt Lake City to keep moving forward together,” she said. “Salt Lakers are not afraid of our incredible future. We’re excited by it. This election was a repudiation of cynicism, and it was a rejection of the politics of fear.”
Mendenhall’s campaign focused on her administration’s efforts to address the city’s issues, including homelessness and affordable housing. She announced initiatives that aimed to address these problems, such as working with the state to establish a sanctioned homeless camp and cracking down on illegal camps. Mendenhall’s opponent, Rocky Anderson, criticized her response to homelessness and proposed a legal homeless campground and government-owned and -operated housing.
Anderson, visibly disheartened by the early returns, acknowledged that the writing might be on the wall, but refrained from conceding until all the ballots are in. He expressed disappointment and urged Mendenhall to address the city problems, particularly the issue of homelessness.
As Mendenhall looks forward to a second term, she has ambitious plans for the city, including the creation of a 60-acre “green loop” around downtown, attracting Major League Baseball to the city, and working with the state, county, and other cities to do more for the unhoused population.
In an upbeat tone, Mendenhall emphasized the importance of partnership and love in her campaign. “We disagreed, for sure. But we didn’t demonize or demagogue. We didn’t run negative TV ads or send mailers attacking our opponents. We didn’t fearmonger. We didn’t spread rumors, and we didn’t engage in dirty tricks.”
Additional ballot returns are expected to be released in the coming days, with results finalized by December 6th.