Jun 2, 2026 - News

Here's who's vying to represent downtown Salt Lake City

Kim Bojórquez

Photo illustration of the Salt Lake City and County building with lines radiating from it. — Photo illustration: Axios Visuals. Photo: Jordan McAlister/Getty Images

More than two dozen applicants are eyeing the newly vacant Salt Lake City Council seat to represent downtown.

State of play: The council will appoint a new District 4 representative after Council Member Eva López Chávez was ousted from office last month following a residency probe that found she did not live in her district.

López Chávez is contesting the city investigation's findings.

The intrigue: Former District 4 Council Member Ana Valdemoros, who lost to Lopez Chavez in 2023 by less than 300 votes, has thrown her hat in the ring.

Other notable applicants include:

Jennifer Napier-Pearce, former Salt Lake Tribune executive editor and former spokesperson for Gov. Spencer Cox
Tom Merrill, former chair of the Downtown Community Council
Clayton Scrivner, 2023 District 4 candidate

What's next: Interviews are set to begin June 9 and a new council member will be appointed either that day or June 11.

View the full list of candidates here.

Add Axios on Google

Here's who's vying to represent downtown Salt Lake City

More Salt Lake City stories