Salt Lake County has made history with its latest election results, setting two significant milestones in Utah politics. Democrat Natalie Pinkney emerged victorious in the race for the At-Large C seat on the Salt Lake County Council, narrowly defeating Republican Rachelle Morris.

Pinkney is now the first Black person to win a countywide election in Utah and the first Black woman elected to the Salt Lake County Council. Her election to this pivotal role marks a groundbreaking moment in the region’s political landscape.

Pinkney, a former South Salt Lake City Councilmember, officially claimed victory on Nov. 15 after updated ballot counts secured her lead over Morris. 

"I am so grateful to all of my supporters who made this victory possible," Pinkney shared on the social platform X. "Together we have taken our first step towards a bold future — a future where every family, no matter where they live or how they look, will have an opportunity to thrive."

As of Nov. 12, Pinkney led Morris by nearly 7,000 votes, a margin that widened to 7,871 by that Friday evening. The Salt Lake County clerk reported approximately 7,659 ballots still in process at that time. 

In a statement following her win, Pinkney reflected on the grassroots efforts that propelled her campaign to success. Despite facing an opponent with substantial financial backing and large donations, Pinkney’s campaign relied on small-dollar contributions to out-raise her competitor.

Throughout the campaign, Pinkney listened to personal stories from residents about the challenges they face. 

"During this campaign, I have heard countless stories from voters about their struggles to afford housing, their love for our county’s amazing services, and their desire to end divisive politics," she shared. 

She said those conversations have shaped her priorities as she prepares to tackle key issues, including making housing more affordable, preserving essential services, and fostering unity in the community.

As Pinkney steps into her new role, her presence on the South Salt Lake City Council will undoubtedly be missed. Mayor Cherie Wood reflected on their collaboration and voiced her full support for Pinkney’s promising journey on the Salt Lake County Council. 

“I've had the pleasure of working with Natalie Pinkney on the South Salt Lake City Council for the past five years and have appreciated her dedication to our community,” Wood said. “She's always tuned in to the needs of our residents and has earned their trust and respect. As Natalie steps into her new role on the Salt Lake County Council, I'm confident she'll continue being a champion for South Salt Lake and a supportive voice for our residents. We're truly thankful for her service and wish her future success.” 

Reflecting on her journey, Pinkney wrote on X, "This year has been a journey, and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. We can do incredible things together, and I can’t wait to start."