Ballpark community activist Erika Carlsen announced Tuesday she will run for the Salt Lake City Council seat being vacated by Darin Mano, who is not seeking reelection this year.
Carlsen launched her campaign to represent District 5 in an outdoor event in the Maven District, a bustling retail quarter at 900 South and 200 East, flanked by about 30 family members, friends and supporters.
A nonprofit leader, daughter of a small business owner and granddaughter of Latino immigrants, Carlsen was an integral founder of a Ballpark community team that has pressed in recent years to better the neighborhood’s streets and public spaces.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Erika Carlsen announces her campaign to replace Darin Mano on the Salt Lake City Council at a news conference in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025.
If elected, she said Tuesday, she would work to improve public safety and slow down speeding vehicles; increase support and eliminate red tape for local businesses; plant more trees and make parks and green spaces more welcoming; and hear and respond to community needs.
“Our city government must listen to us, respect us and deliver for us, the people,” Carlsen said. “... We can tackle these challenges together.”
Though Mano did not attend Tuesday’s launch, he confirmed to The Salt Lake Tribune that he has endorsed Carlsen to replace him when his current term expires this year.
The council seat for District 5, which includes Ballpark, Central Ninth, East Liberty Park and Liberty Wells, is one of four up for election this year, along with Districts 1, 3 and 7.
A resident of The Avenues, Blake McClary, announced a few weeks ago on social media that he intends to run for District 3, spanning The Avenues, Capitol Hill, Federal Heights, Guadalupe and Marmalade. The district is currently represented by Chris Wharton.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Salt Lake City Council member Chris Wharton at City Hall in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, May 16, 2023.
Wharton, now in his second four-year term, told The Tribune he will seek a third term.
A self-described “tech bro” and former leader in the Utah technology trade group called Silicon Slopes, McClary said in an interview he is running in hopes of making the city more family-friendly, not least with regard to adding affordable housing, green spaces and amenities — as well as enhancing public safety.
(Blake McClary) Blake McClary lives in Salt Lake City and serves on his local community council.
This year’s general election is Nov. 4 and will be conducted via ranked choice voting. Under that method — approved for the upcoming election cycle by the Salt Lake City Council on Dec. 10 — candidates may officially declare from Aug. 12-16.
Detailed election information is available through the city recorder’s office at slc.gov/attorney/recorder/elections.
Correction: Jan. 29, 2:35 p.m. • This story has been updated to reflect the voting method Salt Lake City will use in its general election. The city will conduct the election with ranked choice voting.
