The Summit County Council race appears to have been determined in Tuesday’s primary election, with Democrats in District 4 and District 5 advancing to the November ballot without any Republican challengers.
However, write-in candidates may still qualify for the Election Day ballot, which could lead to a competitor for the two Democratic candidates.
Christie Babalis, a local attorney with experience in the outdoor recreation industry, garnered the most votes in District 4, which encompasses the Snyderville Basin area. Babalis earned 427 votes, or 53%, while John Kucera earned 378 votes, or 47%, based on preliminary results.
Kucera, who previously served on the Snyderville Basin Planning Commission from 2018 to 2024, said he’s excited for the candidates progressing to the Election Day ballot, calling the next four years “critical” for the Wasatch Back.
“I think they’re going to do a good job,” Kucera said. “Obviously, I would have liked the outcome to be different, but I don’t have any regrets. I worked hard. I tried to represent my message and differentiate where I could, and I think that’s all you can do.”
Babalis said it was an “honor” to be chosen by Summit County voters and that it was an “absolute privilege” to run her first political campaign and speak to so many residents who are passionate about local issues, like open space, growth and development.
“It’s almost surreal because when you sit on a board or when you work for a nonprofit, you have a little impact over a small group that’s helping on one issue,” Babalis said. “This is much broader, and my ability to have a positive impact is thrilling to me. I know it’s going to be a lot of work, and I’m really excited about it.”
Summit County Council Chair Canice Harte appears to have won his reelection bid for District 5, which encompasses Jeremy Ranch and Pinebrook, based on preliminary results. Harte earned 357 votes, or 51%, while Park City Board of Education President Meredith Reed earned 343 votes, or 49%, as of Friday morning.
Harte thanked Summit County voters for allowing him to serve a second term, saying there are a variety of issues, like preparation for the 2034 Winter Olympics or the county’s open space acquisitions, that he’s already deeply involved in and hopes to continue working on over the next four years.
He also said he was grateful to his supporters who helped him with his campaign, noting that he had to balance running for office while still serving as the County Council chair.
“I’ll get back to doing the work for the people of Summit County,” Harte said. “I’m representing my district, but I’m really representing the people of Summit County, our neighbors and our friends, so when I’m making decisions, I’m trying to make a very pragmatic decision that is in the best interest of as many people in the county as possible.”
Reed, whose term on the Park City school board ends in January, will no longer hold public office after seemingly losing the District 5 election. However, Reed said she expects to stay involved in local issues, although she said it’s too early for her to have any specifics about what her involvement may look like.
“I’m very proud of my campaign,” Reed said. “Talking to our voters and community is always a worthwhile endeavor as far as I’m concerned. But in the bigger picture, I wish more people understood how important these elections are. This is not a new phenomenon, but federal races get a lot of attention … and County Council, school board, local races, that’s the level of government that touches your life every single day.”
Republican voters in Summit County still had a primary, but there were no local offices on the ballot. Instead, they participated in two statewide races, determining which Republican candidate should advance to the Election Day ballot for the U.S. House District 3 race and the State House District 59 race.
Incumbent Celeste Maloy led the vote in Summit County in U.S. House District 3, earning 2,284 votes, or 62%, compared to challenger Phil Lyman’s 1,384 votes, or 38%, according to preliminary results.
Statewide, Maloy earned 66,582 votes, or 66%, while Lyman earned 34,660 votes, or 34%, meaning Maloy will progress to the general election in November.
Jeffrey Pierce appears to have won the State House District 59 race in Summit County, with 508 votes, or 67%. Luke Searle, his competitor, earned 252 votes, or 33%.
However, Searle earned more votes than Pierce statewide, with 3,361 votes, or 55%, while Pierce earned 2,736 votes, or 45%. Despite his loss in Summit County, Searle will likely be the Republican candidate to advance to the Election Day ballot.
Total voter turnout in Summit County was 36%.
Official results will be certified on July 7, two weeks after the primary. The general election takes place on Nov. 3.