Tuesday’s preliminary primary election results are in, and it appears Heber City’s four city council candidates to advance are incumbent City Councilor Yvonne Barney, Morgan Murdock, Nick Lopez and Corey Noyes.
There was a 33% voter turnout countywide. Barney received the most votes with 1,259 in her favor. Murdock received 940 votes, Lopez secured 921 votes and Noyes had 620 votes. Eight candidates ran for city council. Lori Rutland, Christen Thompson, Ken Davis and Jami Hewlett were all eliminated from the race.
Barney, who received 23% of the vote with 1,259 ballots in her favor, is seeking another term after four years of sitting on the council.
“Humbled. That’s probably the one word I can use right now,” Barney said.
Though voter turnout is lower than Barney was hoping for, she said she believes there will be a higher turnout with the general election in November. With this election, Barney said she is hoping the citizens actively express their concerns moving forward.
“I’m encouraged that this kind of showed that there was a very strong push by citizens to say, wait, listen what I have to say. Listen to our concerns,” Barney said. “I’m encouraged, and I’m hoping that we will have more interaction with our community.”
Barney said she hopes community members will go to meetings and debates to be as involved and informed as possible in the election process.
Lopez, feeling confident after securing 17% of the vote, said his priority is about listening to the residents and the business owners of Heber City.
“This campaign, this election is about and for the residents. Nothing more,” Lopez said. “I’ve served my country, I’ve served the citizens of Salt Lake City and now I want to continue my service to the people, the residents of Heber City.”
This is Lopez’s third time running for elected office in Wasatch County. This time, he feels it is his year to be voted in.
“I feel very confident. I’m very, very humbled about the turnout and the support I got from the community. It has meant a great deal, a boost of motivation, and I’m ready to move on to the general election,” Lopez said.
A former teacher, Murdock said he is running to ensure positive and responsible growth. He has said that growth comes up in “every single conversation” when he talks about Heber City, and he hopes to shape development with careful planning. Murdock received 17% of the vote.
Noyes’ big three sticking points include the Utah Department of Transportation bypass route, downtown revitalization and affordable housing. He said before the primary that Heber City needs someone that’s willing to listen. Noyes also received 17% of the vote.
Formal primary election results are pending certification and will be discussed and accepted in a special session with the Heber City Council on Aug. 26.