This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Community and political activist Nate Salazar is running for Salt Lake City's District 4 council seat now held by Luke Garrott.

After two terms, Garrott is giving up the post to run for mayor. Derek Kitchen last month announced his candidacy for the District 4 seat, representing an area from downtown to the east bench, from South Temple to about 900 South.

The 28-year-old Salazar is a community school director attached to South Kearns Elementary. Although he works with school-age children and their families, he is employed through United Way. His duties include working with the school and parents to ensure their children have proper diets and health care and other necessities.

The Salt Lake City native earned bachelor's and master's degrees in social work at Portland State University in Oregon.

"I have always wanted to be in local politics," Salazar said. "I feel I have the skills and knowledge to bring people together."

If elected, he would be only the second Latino to serve on the City Council since it was created to replace the former commission form of government in the late 1970s. Lee Martinez was appointed to serve out a vacated seat in 1997. He served less than a year on the council.

Salazar also is chairman of the Salt Lake County Hispanic Democratic Caucus that boasts more than 200 members.

In addition, Salazar serves on the Salt Lake City Library Board where he is the chairman of the finance committee.

"Salt Lake City is on the verge of becoming one of America's great cities," Salazar said. But it must focus on housing, transportation and education, he said. "I have the knowledge to take part in that conversation."

The City Council should prioritize affordable housing in every area of the city, Salazar said.

"Communities are stronger when there is diversity," he noted. "There needs to be a place to live for every person in Salt Lake City."

Salazar said he would work with the Utah Transit Authority to bring more bus routes and rapid transit buses into the city. "These things are crucial for walkable communities and the environment."

Not least, Salazar said, the city must continue to work closely with the Salt Lake City School District and nonprofit organizations to ensure children have what they need to learn. Among other things that includes a proper diet, medical and dental care, and eye glasses.

"We shouldn't look at kids as just students. We have to look at kids as members of the community with needs," he said. "A kid who is healthy has a better ability to learn and to want to learn."

Salazar will host a public campaign kickoff party Saturday at 6 p.m. at Sicilia Pizza, 35 W. 300 South.