Erin Mendenhall

Erin Mendenhall (born June 8, 1980)[2] is an American politician who has been serving 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 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.

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 6, 2014 – January 6, 2020
Preceded byJill Remington Love[1]
Succeeded byDarin Mano
Personal details
Born (1980-06-08) June 8, 1980
Arizona, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseKyle 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] She graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Arts degree in gender studies and a certificate in Non Profit Leadership and Management.[5]

Career

She was elected to the Salt Lake City council in early 2014, and improving air quality became her signature issue. It was reported in November 2014 that Erin Mendenhall and fellow council member Kyle LaMalfa were having an extramarital affair.[6] (Colby Frazier, 13 November 2014). Two weeks later, Mendenhall confirmed a romantic relationship with LaMalfa. She and LaMalfa disclosed their relationship to City Attorney Margaret Plane, who stated there were no legal or ethical problems.[7] 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."[8] 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).[9]

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.[10]

References
  1. "Our Campaigns - Salt Lake City Council District 5 Race - Nov 05, 2013".
  2. Salt Lake councilwoman appears headed for win in mayor race
  3. "Erin Mendenhall sworn in as Salt Lake City's 36th 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. "Sources Confirm That Two SLC Council Members Involved in Affair".
  7. Christopher Smart (28 November 2014). Romantic relationship between Salt Lake City Council members raises concerns
  8. Colby Frazier (2014-12-03) Council Members LaMalfa & Mendenhall Disclose Relationship, SLWeekly.com, accessed 18 March 2020
  9. "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.
  10. Reavy, Pat (April 20, 2020). "Man threatened Salt Lake City mayor over COVID-19 restrictions, police say". DeseretNews. Retrieved April 25, 2020.


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