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SALT LAKE CITY — At the urging of some fellow Republicans, Salt Lake County Council Chairwoman Aimee Winder Newton is considering a 2020 run for governor.
Newton, who last month won re-election to a second term on the County Council, confirmed Monday some of her GOP supporters have urged her to think about a gubernatorial run after Gov. Gary Herbert's term ends at the end of next year.
"I said I would mull it over," Newton said. "I'm willing to consider it."
She noted much of her work at the county level does "culminate on the state level."
However, for now, Newton said she's focused on county business.
"It's something I haven't made any decisions on," she said. "Right now, I'm focusing on my constituents at the county."
If Newton runs for governor, she'd be the first female Republican to run for governor in Utah since former Gov. Olene Walker's campaign in 2004.
So far, Newton is the only woman on a list of possible Republican 2020 candidates for governor. The list includes Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox, former U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz, and possibly Sen. Mike Lee, according to Utah Policy. Outgoing Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes has also said he's "definitely" considering a run for the seat.
Newton said she doesn't have a specific timeline on when she'll decide whether or not to run.
"Over the next few months I'll mull it over and make a decision," she said.
