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SALT LAKE CITY — Incumbent Charlie Luke and newcomers Derek Kitchen and Andrew Johnston were leading in the races to fill three Salt Lake City Council seats, according to unofficial election results Tuesday night.
Because this year's election is being conducted mostly by mail, votes are not being reported by precinct. Election officials say it is unclear how much Tuesday night's results could change before they are finalized by canvassers Nov. 17.
Kitchen had 52 percent of the vote to Nate Salazar's 48 percent in the council's highest-profile race to represent downtown neighborhoods' District 4.
"I feel honored that the residents of District 4 have put their faith in me to represent them and make important decisions on their behalf," Kitchen said. "I'm energized and excited to get to work on the Salt Lake City Council as your next representative."
Salazar conceded the race to Kitchen and pledged to continue his tradition of community service into the future.
Starting with a pool of five candidates, District 4 was the only Salt Lake City Council race that required a primary. It also drew thousands in fundraising. Kitchen, with about $32,000, raised about $10,000 more than Salazar, according to Oct. 27 campaign finance reports.
Councilman Luke Garrott is vacating the District 4 seat this year after running for mayor but finishing third behind Jackie Biskupski and incumbent Ralph Becker in the primary election.
Luke had 64 percent of the vote to Tracey Harty's 36 percent to represent District 6, which encompasses east-side neighborhoods Bonneville Hills, East Bench, Foothill, Sunnyside, Sugar House, Yalecrest and Wasatch Hollow.
Luke said he looks "forward to working closely with District 6 residents as we continue improving our infrastructure and maintaining our great quality of life, while also positioning Salt Lake City for the inevitable growth we'll face in the coming decades."
Harty said her message "resonated with our many supporters, and I truly appreciate them getting behind me and seeking open, equal and thoughtful leadership in District 6."
This year marked the second campaign against Luke for Harty, who finished third in the 2011 primary election behind Luke and former Councilman JT Martin.
Luke raised more than $40,000 in this year's campaign, while Harty took in nearly $14,000, according to the latest campaign finance reports.
Johnston had 52 percent of the vote to former Councilman Van Turner's 48 percent in the west-side District 2 seat representing the Glendale, Poplar Grove and Fairpark neighborhoods.
Johnson said he was "excited and grateful" to represent the west side for the next four years and expressed his thanks to Turner and Councilman Kyle LaMalfa "for their years of service."
LaMalfa did not run for re-election so he could continue his personal relationship with Councilwoman Erin Mendenhall.
Turner reported no fundraising or expenditures for his campaign, while Johnston raised nearly $7,000. Email: lisa@deseretnews.com, kmckellar@deseretnews.com
