Erin Mendenhall
Erin Mendenhall | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 36th Mayor of Salt Lake City | |
| Assumed office January 6, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Jackie Biskupski |
| Member of the Salt Lake City Council from the 5th district | |
| In office January 6, 2014 – January 6, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Jill Remington Love[1] |
| Succeeded by | Darin Mano |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 8, 1980 |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Kyle LaMalfa |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | University of Utah (BA, MS) |
Erin Mendenhall (born June 8, 1980)[2] is an American politician who has served as the mayor of Salt Lake City, Utah since 2020.[3] Upon taking office as Salt Lake City’s 36th mayor, Mendenhall became the city’s third and youngest woman to serve in the role (after Deedee Corradini and Jackie Biskupski). Prior to assuming office, Mendenhall represented the city’s 5th district on the Salt Lake City Council.
Early life and education[]
Mendenhall was born in Arizona and moved to Sandy, Utah, when she was seven.[4] Mendenhall graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Arts degree in gender studies and a Master of Science in science and technology management.[5]
Career[]
She was elected to the Salt Lake City council in early 2014, and improving air quality became her signature issue. Later that year she announced a romantic relationship with fellow council member Kyle LaMalfa. She and LaMalfa disclosed their relationship to City Attorney Margaret Plane, who stated there were no legal or ethical problems.[6] Some city council members thought their relationship should remain private, while others thought the revelation was in the public's interest to the possibility of "perceived conflict."[7] She and LaMalfa later married.
In the 2019 Salt Lake City mayoral election, Mendenhall defeated State Senator Luz Escamilla to become the 36th mayor of Salt Lake City. Mendenhall is the city's third female mayor (after Deedee Corradini and Jackie Biskupski).[8]
In April 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a police affidavit, Mendenhall was threatened by a man who "stated the mayor needs to open up the city. If she doesn’t, she’ll be forcibly removed from office. There’s a protest tomorrow and if things don’t change, a civil war is coming, and the police can’t stop me." The man was arrested and booked for making a terroristic threat and electronic communication harassment.[9]
References[]
- ^ "Our Campaigns - Salt Lake City Council District 5 Race - Nov 05, 2013".
- ^ Salt Lake councilwoman appears headed for win in mayor race
- ^ "Erin Mendenhall sworn in as Salt Lake City's 36th mayor".
- ^ "Erin Mendenhall, longtime air quality advocate, says it's time for Salt Lake City's mayor to have 'grassroots' City Hall experience". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
- ^ "Breathe Utah - Erin Mendenhall". Breathe Utah. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
- ^ Christopher Smart (28 November 2014). Romantic relationship between Salt Lake City Council members raises concerns The Salt Lake Tribune, accessed 18 March 2020
- ^ Colby Frazier (2014-12-03) Council Members LaMalfa & Mendenhall Disclose Relationship, SLWeekly.com, accessed 18 March 2020
- ^ "Luz Escamilla concedes in Salt Lake City mayor's race. Erin Mendenhall will be the city's next leader". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
- ^ Reavy, Pat (April 20, 2020). "Man threatened Salt Lake City mayor over COVID-19 restrictions, police say". DeseretNews. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
External links[]
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- 21st-century American politicians
- 21st-century American women politicians
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- Mayors of Salt Lake City
- Politicians from Salt Lake City
- University of Utah alumni
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- Women mayors of places in Utah
- 1980 births
- Utah politician stubs