Salt Lake City – Four of the Salt Lake County Council’s nine seats are up for election in November 2026. Depending on who wins, control of the council could flip from Republican to Democratic.
The county council consists of three at-large seats representing the entire county and six district seats.
One at-large seat and three district seats are on the ballot.
These races will determine the majority control of the council for at least the next four years.
Which district seats are up for election?
The county council seats for Districts 1, 3, and 5 are open this year.
District 1 is currently represented by Democrat Jiro Johnson, a public defender who took over for council member Arlyn Bradshaw after she resigned in 2025. Johnson won the seat after beating out 15 other candidates in June 2025.
Johnson wants to fight to protect the rights of the county’s residents, address homelessness, and increase funding for the county’s Zoo, Arts & Parks program, according to his campaign website.
The incumbent faces Libertarian candidate Casey Poe as he seeks reelection.
Poe’s campaign is focused on pulling back county spending, preventing tax increases, and keeping the county affordable.
In District 3, Republican council member Aimee Winder Newton chose not to seek a fourth term.
Republican Mike Bird and Democrat Luke Maynes are running to replace Winder Newton.
Bird works in healthcare administration at the University of Utah Health. According to his campaign website, Bird wants to make “sure every dollar is spent wisely” by reducing wasteful spending. He also wants to support sustainable growth in the county.
Maynes is a systems analyst and project manager. He is running to expand affordable childcare, affordable housing, protect unions, and protect the environment, according to his campaign website.
In District 5, council member Sheldon Stewart withdrew his candidacy in January after “deep reflection.”
Democrat Sara Cimmers and Republican Traci Crockett are running for the District 5 seat.
Cimmers is a former educator. She is running to expand housing security and support public education, according to her campaign website.
Crockett is a former Bluffdale City Council member. According to her campaign website, Crockett is running to improve responsible county budgeting, reduce government waste, and support conservative principles.
