While two incumbents retained their seats on the South Salt Lake City Council, two new faces will sit among the council in 2024. 

In the closest race, challenger Nick Mitchell defeated two-term incumbent Portia Mila by 33 votes to capture the District 4 council seat. 

Mitchell, who also ran for the U.S. Senate in 2021 and the House of Representatives 2nd congressional district seat in 2022, has lived in South Salt Lake for 10 years and is a small business owner. 

“This is an incredible responsibility that I do not take lightly,” he wrote in a statement Nov. 30 after his election was confirmed. “I will assume my position with great respect for the community, my constituents and the importance that the role of councilman carries.” 

After thanking the voters and expressing respect and appreciation to Mila in his statement, he concluded by noting it will the “honor of my life to serve my community. I look forward to work hand in hand with my constituents to make South Salt Lake a better place for all.” 

Councilmember Natalie Pinkney retained her at-large position on the council raking in 77% of the vote, beating out opponent Conrad Campos to earn a second term.

“A brighter South Salt Lake starts today,” Pinkney wrote on social media the day after the election. “Thank you to the voters who invited me into their homes and asked me to continue to be their advocate! Thank you to my amazing team, together we connected and reached out to every register voter. Let’s get to work!” 

In District 1, Leanne Huff also won a second term with 71% of the vote to defeat her challenger Jeanette Potter. Huff is a licensed social worker and works as a crisis services program administrator for the state of Utah.    

Paul Sanchez ran unopposed to take the District 5 council seat. Sanchez was appointed by the council to represent District 5 this fall when Shane Siwik stepped down. 

With the additions of Mitchell, who is Black, and Sanchez to the council along with Pinkney and Councilmember Clarissa Williams, South Salt Lake’s City Council is a majority people of color. λ