Former Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon plans to run for Salt Lake City Mayor next year, adding his name to a field that is filling up even though incumbent Erin Mendenhall hasn’t said whether she will seek a third term.
Corroon confirmed his plans Thursday. Mendenhall said in July she had not decided whether to run next year, but her pending divorce from husband Kyle LaMalfa may play a large factor in her decision.
Corroon said he will focus on affordable homeownership and on helping families stay in Utah, including through child care and after-school programs.
“I really want to push affordable homeownership and support for families to stay in Utah, like child care and after school programs,” Corroon said in a text message. “Salt Lake City has become out of reach for young people and families who want to raise their families here.”
He also plans to support local businesses and nonprofit organizations.
Corroon served as Salt Lake County mayor from 2004 to 2011 and was the Democratic nominee for governor in 2010.
He joins at least three other candidates:
- Luz Escamilla, the Utah Senate minority leader, announced her campaign earlier this summer. She ran for mayor in 2019 and lost to Mendenhall.
- Ross Romero, a first-term Salt Lake County councilmember and a Democrat, has filed paperwork to run. He served in the Utah Legislature from 2004 to 2012 and lost the 2012 Democratic nomination for county mayor to Ben McAdams.
Other candidates who may be eyeing a run next year include current Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson and former state Senator Derek Kitchen. Wilson ran for Salt Lake City Mayor in 2007, finishing third in the primary.
