Downtown SLC council seat vacated after residency probe
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Eva López Chávez. Photo: Courtesy of Salt Lake City
A city investigation released Tuesday found that Salt Lake City Council Member Eva López Chávez does not live in her district, rendering her seat vacant.
State of play: The investigation stemmed from a complaint filed last month by a constituent questioning whether López Chávez lived at the house she purchased last September in District 5 for $640,058.
- She was elected in 2023 to represent District 4, which encompasses downtown.
The big picture: The first-term council member faced heavy scrutiny after jumping into Utah's 1st Congressional District race. She failed to qualify for the ballot in that race last month.
- López Chávez was accused of sexual harassment by four people — including fellow City Council Member Victoria Petro — last month, according to reporting from the Salt Lake Tribune and KSL.
- In response, the council voted last week to suspend some of her responsibilities, including conducting formal meetings and taking city-related trips, while a city investigation into the sexual harassment claims moved forward.
- It's unclear whether that investigation will continue.
How it works: State law and city ordinance require municipal officeholders to live in the district they represent.
Catch up quick: About two weeks ago, a resident in District 4 emailed the city attorney with concerns about where López Chávez was living.
- The deed of trust for her new home, filed with the county, showed a requirement that López Chávez make the house her "principal residence" within 60 days after the September purchase.
The latest: "I find that you no longer maintain your principal place of residence within District 4 and instead you have established a principal place of residence outside District 4," Salt Lake City recorder Keith Reynolds said in an email to López Chávez on Tuesday referring to her District 5 house.
- Reynolds noted that López Chávez didn't respond to the city attorney until nearly a week after his May 1 query relaying the allegation.
The other side: According to the clerk's report, López Chávez, through lawyers, told the city attorney's office she moved out of her District 4 home last December and has not had a "principal place of residence" since then due to "unforeseen financial circumstances and the rigors of the congressional campaign."
- López Chávez said she split her time between multiple properties, including her campaign manager's home in District 4, the property she purchased in District 5, which served as her campaign headquarters, and her parents' and other friends' homes.
What they're saying: "I came into public service to stand up for working families, immigrants, small business owners, tenants, seniors, and communities too often left behind. That fight does not end with a title or a seat," she said in a statement to Axios.
- Her attorneys noted they disagreed with the city's findings and are "reviewing all available remedies."
What's next: The council has 30 days to fill the vacancy under state law.
- "Our focus is on ensuring a smooth transition," the remaining six council members said in a statement, adding that additional details on finding a replacement would be forthcoming.
- The body is expected to take applications from potential candidates and vote on an appointee.
Flashback: The council went through this process in 2023 after former District 7 Council Member Amy Fowler resigned following a DUI arrest and Sarah Young was unanimously appointed.