Parkite Megan McKenna is running for Seat C on the Summit County Council to be a tireless champion for the younger generation, the working class and other muffled groups that might exist in the community.
The former ski patroller and teacher turned housing advocate said her campaign comes down to representation, and she’s striving to be a voice for the unheard.
Summit County voters will decide between McKenna and Snyderville Basin Planning Commissioner Thomas Cooke in the June 25 primary. The two Democratic candidates essentially tied for the seat at the local party’s nominating convention in late March, and the choice was opened to the public when neither was able to secure 60% of the vote.
McKenna earned a slight lead over Cooke, which she’s been working to increase since the convention by hosting meet and greets, going to community events and reaching out to constituents. She’s shared her “future-forward” platform that promises a community-minded, compassionate, hopeful and pragmatic approach.
Water, growth and traffic have been cited as voters’ top concerns. They’ve also expressed worries about whether Summit County youth will be able to live within the community in the future.
McKenna’s platform is rooted in sustainability, affordability and responsible growth. She said decisions need to consider the impacts on the environment as well as the community, not just in terms of land use but also the economy. Residents should be able to afford to live in the community as well as access services for child care, early education or mental health.
The community housing advocate also emphasized the need for responsible development to better design walkable, accessible communities. She said she doesn’t advocate for developers but rather for people and the planet.
“Development where we have the infrastructure to support it. That’s transit-oriented. That’s mixed-use with housing where the jobs are so it addresses critical needs (in a comprehensive way) and doesn’t make our problems worse,” McKenna said, encouraging residents to plan for change rather than avoid it. “It’s also solving problems. I think responsible housing solutions are also traffic solutions. They’re also climate solutions. They’re also workforce solutions. They’re also sustainability solutions.”
She also believes regional collaboration between businesses, nonprofits, community organizations and local governments will provide the utmost benefit to Summit County residents and throughout the Wasatch Back.
McKenna said the biggest threat to Summit County residents’ quality of life is the affordability crisis. She said it’s the root of all challenges as it impacts everything from the cost of goods to the ability to keep a workforce, making it hard to maintain a vibrant community.
While every town in Summit County has its own unique heritage, McKenna said most places share the same values and challenges. She would take a similar approach to working in the Snyderville Basin and on the East Side.
“Every community needs a seat at the table,” McKenna said.
The main difference between the two Seat C candidates is their skill set. McKenna recognized the value of former planning commissioners serving on the County Council, but she noted there are currently three members with that experience: outgoing Chair Malena Stevens, Vice Chair Tonja Hanson and County Councilor Canice Harte.
Although she doesn’t have formal experience in politics, McKenna said she would offer a unique perspective to the County Council. She compared education to working in governance because both are collaborative careers requiring patience, deliberate decision-making and empathy to consider a wide range of perspectives. The Parkite also has experience as a pink-collar worker in the local tourism industry.
“I would say my approach is very open-minded. I think it’s important in any decision you make, to not start out as a no but to start out open,” McKenna said. “I’m certainly not wanting to let perfection get in the way of progress. We have some critical needs in the county right now that if we don’t work together and start chipping away at some of these things, we’re just going to get further behind and our challenges will become greater.”
Half of the County Council could be serving a full first term after the general election in November with Stevens not running for reelection.
County Councilors Chris Robinson and Roger Armstrong each have several years of experience. However, Armstrong is being challenged by Republican Tory Welch.
Robinson is not up for reelection this year. He won another term during the general election in 2022. That was the same year Harte was elected to his seat.
Hanson was appointed to the County Council in the fall of 2022. Then she won the Democratic nomination in March after competing against Betsy Wallace. Hanson is not being challenged by a Republican.
McKenna recognized she would be a new voice if elected, but that doesn’t mean she would be too nervous to speak up. The housing advocate said she already has great working relationships with county staff and would offer a thoughtful perspective to the discussions.
Primary election ballots were mailed by the Summit County Clerk’s Office on Tuesday. Envelopes were expected to arrive later in the week. Registered Democrats will automatically receive a ballot by mail. Other voters will need to request a ballot.
Ballots can be submitted until 8 p.m. on June 25.
Drop boxes are at the Summit County Courthouse in Coalville, Marsac Building, The Market at Park City, Quinn’s Health Department, Jeremy Ranch park-and-ride, Oakley City Hall, Henefer Town Hall and Francis City Hall as well as the Coalville, Kamas and Kimball Junction branches of the Summit County Library.
Call 435-336-3040 or email [email protected] for additional information or go to summitcounty.org/elections.