The Wasatch County Council has no shortage of candidates in its 2024 election cycle as four of its seven members begin the last year of their terms.
While Seat B Councilor Steve Ferrill did not file for reelection, his three council peers whose terms are also expiring did — Kendall Crittgenden for Seat D, Mark Nelson for Seat E, and Spencer Park for Seat G.
Park is running unopposed, and the one contestant who filed against Nelson recently informed The Park Record she may soon take herself out of the race, but Crittenden faces fellow Republican Mary Williams, Libertarian Jami Hewlett and Tori Broughton, from the United Utah party.
Hewlett and Broughton bring some name recognition to the race after they were unable to secure spots last year on the Heber City Council.
Hewlett — a former member of the Envision Central Heber 2050 Steering Committee — largely campaigned on limited growth to ensure Heber City did not lose its hometown feel.
Broughton, who owns a business on Main Street, spoke highly of Heber 2050, the revitalization of the town’s center, and the need for affordable housing.
Williams’ campaign also won’t be a first for her. In 2022, she ran for an at-large position on the County Council, to current Councilor Luke Searle. At the time, she said she planned to localize values in the U.S. Constitution and work towards affordable housing.
Looking to replace Ferrill are Republicans Melvin McQuarrie, Colleen Bonner and Nick Lopez, Democrat Lisa Bahash and Independent American Kenneth Bourassa.
Some of these candidates have played notable roles in the community over the past few years.
López was another one of the 11 contenders for the Heber City Council last year. His campaign was focused on the community’s transportation issues, responsible growth and public safety.
Before being unseated by Celeste Johnson in 2017, Bonner was the mayor of Midway.
Throughout the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Heber Valley Temple project, Bahash has been a community leader for the citizen group Save Wasatch Back Dark Skies.
Currently, the group is appealing the County Council’s approval of the church’s temple plans via legislative agreement, and Bahash hasn’t been shy in stating her disagreement with the group’s decision.