Democratic challenger Suzanne Harrison’s lead held steady Wednesday evening in the race for a Salt Lake County Council at-large seat after election officials released another wave of votes.
Updated numbers show Harrison capturing nearly 54% of the vote against two-term Republican incumbent Richard Snelgrove’s 46% — an 8 percentage point advantage similar to the one she had early Wednesday morning in the final election night update posted by county officials.
In an interview earlier Wednesday, Harrison struck a positive tone but did not claim victory.
“There’s a lot of ballots that haven’t been counted,” she said, “but we’re cautiously optimistic.”
County officials still have to count more than 150,000 ballots, mostly by-mail ones.
The race for the countywide seat now represents the Democratic Party’s last chance at chipping into the 6-3 GOP majority on the partisan, part-time council. If Harrison’s lead holds, Republicans will hold a 5-4 edge.
Harrison, District 32′s representative in the Utah House, jumped into the council contest after the redistricting process thwarted her chances at reelection.
She said she spent a year talking to residents and focusing on issues that matter, such as addressing the cost of living, improving air quality, protecting tax dollars, water conservation and protecting parks, trails and recreational opportunities.
“People are ready for a fresh perspective,” she said, “on the Salt Lake County Council.”
Snelgrove campaigned on maintaining residents’ quality of life amid rampant inflation and a surging cost of living. He was also an outspoken critic of a proposed limestone quarry in Parleys Canyon and an opponent of a planned gondola in Little Cottonwood Canyon.
He could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
Democrats had a narrow path to seize control of the council this election, but Republican incumbent Aimee Winder Newton dashed those hopes by securing reelection to her District 3 seat.
In the latest tally, Winder Newton, a senior adviser to Gov. Spencer Cox and head of the newly created state Office of Families, led the three-way race with 55% of the vote, followed by Democratic challenger Ashley Liewer’s 40% and United Utah Party candidate Kerry Soelberg’s 5%.
Winder Newton will serve a third term representing Taylorsville, West Valley City, West Jordan and Murray.
Meanwhile, in District 1, Democratic incumbent Arlyn Bradshaw cruised to victory over Republican challenger Richard D.M. Barnes. As of Wednesday evening, Bradshaw had logged 76% of the vote in the district that covers a large chunk of Salt Lake City.
Republican Sheldon Stewart ran unopposed in District 5 after unseating incumbent Steve DeBry in the June primary. He will represent the southwest segment of the county.