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John Daley ReportingIt may be 15 months away, but the race for Salt Lake City Mayor officially got out of the gates today. Former City Councilor Keith Christensen is jumping in and, in an interesting political alliance, he's got current Mayor Rocky Anderson paving the way.
They may seem like an odd political pair, the outspoken liberal Mayor boosting the candidacy of a moderate conservative former city council member. Rocky Anderson has often feuded with the city council, but back when he first took office, he and Keith Christensen forged a mutual respect when the University light rail line up 4th South nearly died due to cost overruns.
Today, Anderson described Christensen as a progressive conservative, someone who in his words, "really gets it" on issues like sprawl and the environment. As an example, Anderson cites Christensen's role as City Council chairman in helping to revive the University light rail line after the council had initially rejected a plan to build it.
Christensen, a businessman who served two terms on the City Council, says his top priorities are transportation, city beautification and community and neighborhood development.
Keith Christensen, Candidate for Mayor: "I have experience, both civic experience and I have business experience. I understand Salt Lake City. I have been there for eight years, working on budgets, working on community issues."
Rocky Anderson, Salt Lake City Mayor: "When we talk about conservative, I think it mostly means people like the status quo. They're afraid of change. Keith is not afraid of change. He knows that this ought to be a place that includes everybody. He has real respect for that. When he talks about equality of treatment he speaks from the heart."
Keith Christensen, Candidate for Mayor: "Fire engines are red, but they aren't just for republicans, and police cars are blue but they aren't just for democrats. And as that implies, municipal government should not be about partisan politics."
Rocky Anderson, Salt Lake City Mayor: "There need to be changes and this is a man who is willing to stand up and work with other people, maybe do it differently than I do, but help move towards change, and that's what I mean by progressive."
Keith Christensen, Candidate for Mayor: "That goes to the issue of equality. It goes to the issue of equal treatment. What person in this city doesn't have the right to have their hopes, dreams and aspirations fulfilled? I want to hear someone say they don't have that right. I believe they do."
Mayor Anderson announced his plans to not seek another term on Friday. His exit leaves the campaign completely wide open, with several city council members either in the race or thinking about it.
In his last campaign Mayor Rocky Andeson spent around 750-thousand dollars. Christensen says he expects it'll take a similar sum this time, but he says he hopes it would take less than that to win.
