Park City Councilor Tana Toly won a second term in office on Election Day and voters added Diego Zegarra to the City Council, selecting two establishment candidates while also rejecting the reelection bid of incumbent Jeremy Rubell.
The preliminary results put Toly and Zegarra well ahead of Rubell for the two seats that were on the ballot on Tuesday. Toly was the first-place finisher, followed by Zegarra and Rubell. The order of finish is not expected to change when the canvass is held with the margins as great as they are. The preliminary results:
1. Toly, 2,330 votes, or 39.74%
2. Zegarra, 2,009 votes, or 34.27%
3. Rubell, 1,524 votes, or 25.99%
Toly and Zegarra are widely seen as part of the political establishment of the community. Toly is a member of a longtime Park City family that has the Red Banjo pizza restaurant on Main Street, while Zegarra is an executive at the Park City Community Foundation.
The two will take the oath of office in early January for four-year terms ending in early 2030. The next mayor will also be sworn in at that time. The contest between Ryan Dickey and Jack Rubin for the Marsac Building’s top political office remains unresolved with Dickey ahead by just 11 votes. The winner in the mayoral election is not expected to be declared until the canvass is held on Nov. 18.
Zegarra in an interview said it was “a bit surreal, honestly” to win a seat on the City Council with the support of so many Parkites.
“I’ve thought of this moment of serving in public office for a long time,” he said.
It is believed Zegarra will be the first Latino member of the City Council. He is a native of Peru and became a U.S. citizen eight years ago.
Zegarra said he plans to move from a full-time position at the Park City Community Foundation to a part-time one when he takes the City Council seat in early January to allow him to spend more time on the municipal work. He is the vice president of impact at the organization.
Toly provided a prepared statement about the results, saying she was grateful for the support and congratulating the field of candidates. Toly said leaders are “moving forward by resetting the tone at City Hall, respecting our team, and tackling what matters most: immediate transportation solutions, Olympic planning, senior services, and workforce housing.”
Rubell, who was seeking a second term on the City Council, in an interview said he congratulated Zegarra and Toly on the night of the election and offered assistance as the new terms begin in January. He said Toly cares about the community and Zegarra brings a “different lens” to the Marsac Building.
Voters “had good choices,” but there were only two seats on the ballot, he said, adding he is appreciative of the support he received.
Rubell said in his remaining time in office he wants City Hall to make progress on plans to develop a senior center, the talks about municipal acreage in Bonanza Park, and the discussions about the municipal government’s energy policies.