Two newly elected mayors trounced their competition Tuesday to take the helms of Utah's second- and fourth-largest cities.

In Herriman and Bluffdale, voters cleaned house.

Voters across the Salt Lake Valley went to the polls Tuesday, electing mayors and council members, although turnout was meager in this off-year balloting.

In January, Mike Winder will be sworn in as mayor of West Valley City, replacing retiring Mayor Dennis Nordfelt, according to unofficial returns. Winder, a councilman in Utah's "Second City," topped opponent Kevin Fayles by a hefty margin. At age 33, Winder wondered Tuesday night if he might become Utah's youngest serving mayor when he takes office.

"I love this city," he said, "and it's a deep, deep honor to be mayor."

Lisa Rowley, a West Valley City resident, voted for Winder.

"He'll make the right decisions for the community," she said, casting her ballot at Granger High. "He's a good man."

West Valley City also picked two new council members. Don Christensen bested Bill Barton for an at-large seat. Steve Buhler outpaced David Musselman to represent District 2.

In Utah's fourth-most populous burg, West Jordan voters picked a woman for the mayor's job. Councilwoman Melissa Johnson garnered more than twice as many votes as her opponent, Irene Casper.

"This is a huge responsibility now. My message during my campaign was one of fiscal restraint," Johnson said Tuesday

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night. "Obviously, what people are interested in is smaller government."

Johnson's council colleague, Kathy Hilton, failed in her re-election bid. Newcomers Chad Nichols and Clive Killpack will join the council.

In other cities, voters opted to give their longtime mayors longer times in office. Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan, whose campaign posters featured his signature mustache, cruised to a fifth term, defeating Dave Perry. Four years ago, Dolan survived a tight contest.

Another mustachioed mayor, Murray's Dan Snarr, won a fourth term in a race against Councilwoman Krista Dunn. Midvale Mayor JoAnn Seghini also claimed a fourth term.

In South Salt Lake, Cherie Wood blocked former Mayor Wes Losser's dreams of a comeback. Voters picked Wood, the city's assistant mayor, to fill the open mayor's seat left by retiring Bob Gray, who ousted Losser in 2005.

Bluffdale elected a new mayor. Derk Timothy elbowed past Kim Fuller after voters had bounced both existing Mayor Claudia Anderson and ex-Mayor Wayne Mortimer in the primary. Bluffdale also showed two incumbent council members the door.

Neighboring Herriman followed the same trend. The city fired its mayor and two council members. Lynn Crane -- the only mayor the mushrooming suburb ever has known -- was defeated by Josh Mills, who vowed to give Herriman a new voice.

In Draper, two-term Mayor Darrell Smith brushed off a challenge from longtime Councilman Bill Colbert, who has been critical of Smith for supporting a recent tax hike.

Holladay Mayor Dennis Webb beat back a heated challenge from Councilman Barry Topham to win a third term. In South Jordan, Mayor Kent Money won a third term, overcoming Aaron Osmond.

rwinters@sltrib.com

 

Tribune reporters Brandon Loomis, Jennifer W. Sanchez, Christopher Smart, Katie Drake and Natalie Dicou contributed to this story.