Erin Mendenhall

Erin Mendenhall (born June 8, 1980)[2] is an American politician who serves as the current Mayor of Salt Lake City.[3] Upon taking office as Salt Lake City’s 36th mayor, Mendenhall became the city’s third female mayor (after Deedee Corradini and Jackie Biskupski) and the city’s youngest female mayor. Prior to assuming office, Mendenhall represented the city’s 5th district on the Salt Lake City Council.

Erin Mendenhall
36th Mayor of Salt Lake City
Assumed office
January 6, 2020
Preceded byJackie Biskupski
Member of the Salt Lake City Council
from the 5th district
In office
January 2014 – January 2020
Preceded byJill Remington Love[1]
Succeeded byDarin Mano
Personal details
Born (1980-06-08) June 8, 1980
Arizona, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Kyle LaMalfa
Children3
EducationUniversity of Utah (BA, MS)

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, which began while she was divorcing her husband Jared Mendenhall. 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
  1. https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=790204
  2. Salt Lake councilwoman appears headed for win in mayor race
  3. https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2020/01/06/salt-lake-city-mayor/
  4. "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.
  5. "Breathe Utah - Erin Mendenhall". Breathe Utah. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  6. Christopher Smart (28 November 2014). Romantic relationship between Salt Lake City Council members raises concerns The Salt Lake Tribune, accessed 18 March 2020
  7. Colby Frazier (2014-12-03) Council Members LaMalfa & Mendenhall Disclose Relationship, SLWeekly.com, accessed 18 March 2020
  8. "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.
  9. Reavy, Pat. "Man threatened Salt Lake City mayor over COVID-19 restrictions, police say". DeseretNews. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
Political offices
Preceded by
Jackie Biskupski		 Mayor of Salt Lake City
2020–present		 Incumbent


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