SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake City voters chose two openly gay candidates as top contenders for the upcoming fall election, and political experts say it's another example of how Utah's capital city is following a national tide of social change, with voters less concerned about sexual orientation and more focused on substantive qualities and policy positions.

In Tuesday's preliminary results, the candidates both beat their opponents by significant voter margins. Former legislator Jackie Biskupski, with 46 percent, led two-term incumbent Mayor Ralph Becker by more than 15 percent.

Derek Kitchen, one of the plaintiffs in the court case that legalized gay marriage in Utah, captured 36 percent of votes for City Council's District 4, beating his second-place rival Nate Salazar by more than 18 percent. District 4 is currently represented by Luke Garrott, who finished third in the mayoral primary.

"Salt Lake City has embraced openly gay candidates in the past, so this is not new, but it's becoming more pronounced," said LaVarr Webb, political consultant and Deseret News columnist. "It's part of a broader culture of change that's not just in Salt Lake City, but also across the country where there is clearly momentum in supporting and acknowledging gay people and their rights."

Both Biskupski and Kitchen said Salt Lake City voters are looking beyond their sexual orientation and instead focusing on their visions for the city.

"I don't think people were voting for me because I'm openly gay," Biskupski said. "Salt Lake City is voting for candidates based on merit and not some factor of who they are. We live in a very progressive community, and people are much further along in accepting everyone for who they are. We find value in diversity in our city."

Kitchen said that while anyone who "champions" a community will find support in that community, it's the candidate's message that will ultimately matter.

One of Kitchen's rivals, Babs De Lay, is also openly gay. She placed fourth in Tuesday night's preliminary results, with 15.6 percent of votes.

"Sexual orientation is not really part of the thought process of voters in Salt Lake City; I think we've moved beyond that at this point," Kitchen said. "What really matters more than the candidates are the issues and what's talked about."

Frank Pignanelli, a political consultant who writes the column with Webb, said neither Biskupski's nor Kitchen's sexual orientation was brought up as an issue leading up to the primary election.

"No one ever discussed it, which I think is very telling," he said. "It means that the city has now moved beyond sexual orientation in terms of whether you can get elected or not."

Webb called Salt Lake City a "liberal island" compared to the rest of the state, which he said is typical of big cities.

Salt Lake City has the seventh-highest percentage of LGBT adults among the nation's top 50 metropolitan areas, according to an analysis of Gallup survey data released in March. The analysis showed 4.7 percent of Salt Lake City adults consider themselves lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.

It's not the first time the area has favored LGBT candidates. Arlyn Bradshaw, who is openly gay, has served on the Salt Lake City-centered District 1 seat of the Salt Lake County Council for five years. Sen. Jim Dabakis, D-Salt Lake City, who is also openly gay, was appointed to serve in the state Legislature in 2012.

Kent Frogley, Utah Pride Center board president, said, "It's gratifying that LGBTQ candidates are so well-received in Salt Lake City."

"We've always felt like we've had an ally and supporter with Mayor Becker and appreciate all the support he's given the LGBTQ community these past years," Frogley said. "It will be a very interesting and competitive race, but I think we'll be driven by the issues that face the city, and a person's sexual identity and orientation really doesn't enter into the equation anymore — it's incidental."

Related:

SLC has the 7th-highest percentage of adults who identify as LGBT in nation

Salt Lake City has the seventh-highest percentage of adults who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender among the nation's top 50 metropolitan areas. (Photo: Rick Bowmer/AP)

Council races

In the City Council race, Kitchen holds a strong lead, but it's not clear who his challenger will be. The preliminary primary results show Salazar, who serves as vice chairman of the East Central Community Council and chairman of the Salt Lake County Democratic Hispanic Caucus, will advance as Kitchen's opponent in the general election. But he's only 60 votes ahead of the third-place candidate, Miles Petty.

Votes are still being counted, while City Council officials complete canvassing to post official results Aug. 18. Since Salt Lake City's election was conducted mostly by-mail, hundreds of last-minute ballots could be late in arriving back to the Salt Lake County Clerk's Office.

Salt Lake County Clerk Sherrie Swensen said it's rare that preliminary and official results differ significantly, since late votes usually follow a similar pattern of earlier votes.

Salazar said he's optimistic that he will be the candidate to advance to the general election as Kitchen's rival.

"I'm pretty confident we'll make it out," he said, adding that he believes he will be able to shrink Kitchen's lead by reaching out to voters who chose other District 4 candidates that won't be advancing to the general election.

"It's going to be a close one," Salazar said. "That's something we've anticipated all along."

Salt Lake City Council districts 2 and 6 will also be up for election Nov. 3. Tracey Harty is challenging District 6 incumbent City Councilman Charlie Luke, and Andrew Johnston and Van Turner will be vying for the District 2 seat, as incumbent Kyle LaMalfa is not running for re-election.

Ballots for the general election will be mailed to voters Oct. 5.

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