Meet the candidates vying to be District 5's next leader
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios
The Salt Lake City Council will soon welcome a new face after Council Member Darino Mano announced he won't seek re-election.
State of play: Three candidates — Erika Carlsen, Vance Hansen and Amy Hawkins — are vying to represent District 5, which includes Ballpark, Central Ninth, East Liberty Park and Liberty Wells.
- Mano is backing Carlsen, a community activist who co-founded the Ballpark Action Team, a nonprofit that advocates for the neighborhood.
- Hansen, a security officer, and Hawkins, longtime chair of the Ballpark Community Council, both ran against Mano in 2021, but lost by wide margins.
The big picture: Ballpark is undergoing sweeping changes as the city reimagines the neighborhood following the Salt Lake Bees' move to Daybreak last year.
By the numbers: Carlsen leads the money race, bringing in nearly $100,000, far outpacing Hansen's $5,576 and Hawkins' $5,400, 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 5 ahead of the Nov. 4 election. (Hansen did not respond.)
Their answers have been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Erika Carlsen
1. What professional or community experience makes you believe you're the best candidate to represent your district?
As a nonprofit leader and trained facilitator, I co-founded the Ballpark Action Team to elevate neighbors' voices and advocate for change. As the daughter of a small business owner, I'm ready to do everything possible to ensure our local businesses thrive.
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?
Building mixed-income communities, implementing rental assistance programs, and pushing for family-sized housing. I'll prioritize creating more pathways for affordable homeownership and housing that complements the character of our neighborhoods.
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?
Advocate for SLC values and voices, build partnerships with state leaders, work towards solutions that benefit our city, not partisan power plays.
4. What's one hidden gem in your district that you love and want to tell everyone about?
Luna Coffee and Crystals
5. Describe your leadership style in one word.
Grounded
Amy Hawkins
1. What professional or community experience makes you believe you're the best candidate to represent your district?
Over 10 years of leadership in Ballpark: securing $500,000 for safer crosswalks on Kensington Avenue, running 70+ community council meetings, calling for additional green space and tree canopy, and successfully advocating for fairer homeless shelter placement and improved community safety.
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?
Incentivize for-sale condos and townhomes so people can put down roots without needing to afford a single-family home!
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?
In 2018, I successfully advocated for state funding for opioid education in Utah high schools. Since then, I've built good state relationships. I've been endorsed by state legislators, both Republicans and Democrats.
4. What's one hidden gem in your district that you love and want to tell everyone about?
The authentic ethnic cuisine sprinkled throughout the district.
5. Describe your leadership style in one word.
Pragmatic