Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Richard Piatt ReportingThe Salt Lake City Mayor's race is almost a year away but is already heating up. A field of candidates is emerging in the Salt Lake City mayor's race next year.
So far we've counted ten people who say they're running or intend to run. Many of them are announcing early to get their names out there.
Eyewitness News has already reported former City councilman Keith Christensen and current city council member Nancy Saxton are running for Salt Lake city Mayor. This week three other candidates are formally announcing. State Representative Ralph Becker, and County council member Jenny Wilson announced today. City councilman Dave Buhler is expected to formally announce tomorrow.
The list is rounded out by CentroCivico Mexicano Director John Reneria, former Democrat Party chair Meg Holbrook, and according to print reports, three others.
Hinckley Institute's Kirk Jowers calls this race 'one to watch'.
Kirk Jowers, Hinckley Institute of Politics: "There is a lot of pent up excitement to run for office. It's the same thing you'd find if Hatch or Bennett decide to hang it up. There's a lot of people who have been waiting for this moment."
At Jenny Wilson's formal announcement today there were many loyal Democrats. But not everyone here is endorsing a candidate yet, since a lot of the people running know each other.
Earlier, on KSL Newsradio's Doug Wright show, Wilson spoke of a spirit of bipartisanship she learned from her father, ex-mayor Ted Wilson.
Jenny Wilson, Candidate For Salt Lake City Mayor: "I think I learned a lot growing up the daughter of the mayor, about dealing with people."
Legislator Ralph Becker is also making his entry in the race official, planning to use his experience to further the city's potential.
Ralph Becker, Candidate For Salt Lake City Mayor: "The excitement of that, and the potential of the mayor leading the city in that direction is really what's driven me to enter the race."
Dave Buhler is planning to push seven years of city council experience in his second try for mayor.
Dave Buhler, Candidate For Salt Lake City Mayor: "I just know I can do great things for this city. And that's what it comes down to, who can help the citizens of Salt Lake City the most."
