District 1 city council race narrows after candidate drops out
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Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
A candidate's exit this week has turned the battle to represent Salt Lake City's west side District 1 into a two-way race.
State of play: Incumbent Victoria Petro, first appointed to the council in 2021 and elected shortly after, now faces Stephen Otterstrom, who runs his own consulting business.
- District 1 includes Fairpark, Jordan Meadows, Rose Park and Westpointe.
The latest: Yussuf Abdi dropped out this week, later endorsing Petro, the Salt Lake Tribune reported.
Zoom in: Fairpark is at the center of a major development that aims to attract a Major League Baseball team, raising local concern about displacement.
By the numbers: Petro, executive director of the Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, has raised over $46,000 compared to Otterstrom's $8,603, according to recent campaign finance filings.
How it works: Axios Salt Lake City asked each of the candidates a set of questions about the key issues facing District 1 ahead of the Nov. 4 election.
Their answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Stephen Otterstrom
1. What professional or community experience makes you believe you're the best candidate to represent your district?
Working with regular people trying to make due. Residents have seen their water bills double, sales taxes increase and property taxes climb. All this happened while the mayor and city council gave themselves significant raises.
2. Housing affordability remains a top concern in Salt Lake City. What specific policies or tools would you support to keep lower housing and rent costs for residents?
The city must encourage alternative ownership models. Cooperative Housing gives renters the opportunity to collectively purchase their building, allowing them to gain equity by signing a lease.
3. Tensions between the state and Salt Lake City have flared in past legislative sessions. What's your strategy for ensuring the city's interests are represented effectively on Capitol Hill?
We need to push back. Our current council often capitulates, betraying us while saying they acted only because "the state would have forced us."
4. What's one hidden gem in your district that you love and want to tell everyone about?
The food cart in front of Smith's.
5. Describe your leadership style in one word.
Collaborative
Victoria Petro
1. What professional or community experience makes you believe you're the best candidate to represent your district?
I've led on affordable housing, public safety and transparency by securing park investments, tackling displacement and championing community-driven planning for the west side.
2. Housing affordability remains a top concern in Salt Lake City. What specific policies or tools would you support to keep lower housing and rent costs for residents?
I support stronger affordability requirements and using city-owned land for mixed-income housing that working families can actually afford.
3. Tensions between the state and Salt Lake City have flared in past legislative sessions. What's your strategy for ensuring the city's interests are represented effectively on Capitol Hill?
I focus on solutions over politics, finding common ground with state leaders while standing firm when our neighborhoods' needs are overlooked.
4. What's one hidden gem in your district that you love and want to tell everyone about?
When it's taken care of and safe, the Jordan River Trail is our hidden gem, where families, cyclists and wildlife all meet.
5. Describe your leadership style in one word.
Collaborative