On Saturday, Becker launched his campaign for mayor with a neighborhood tour - trekking some of it by bike - to outline his agenda for the mayor's office.

"If we do the right things now, we can take a giant step," Becker said outside a sun-splashed Rose Park Elementary. "We have the pieces here."

Becker's pieces include a nine-part platform that addresses everything from boosting education on the city's west side to smart urban planning to continued stewardship over the environment. He also pledges to advocate small business, expand TRAX to Sugar House and the airport and complete a "connected necklace" of urban trails.

And, as a state lawmaker for 10 years - Becker serves as minority leader of Democrats in the Utah House - supporters say his collaborative nature is custom-built, even "crucial," for a City Hall polarized after two terms of Rocky Anderson.

"Ralph knows we don't live in a citadel," said Rebecca Chavez-Houck, who helped introduce her Avenues neighbor before a small gathering at City Creek Park. "There is no moat at 21st South. There is no moat at 600 North."

Former state Sen. Paula Julander agrees that the urban planner's temperament, along with his dedication to historic preservation, sets Becker apart from a mayoral field already crowded with 10 candidates.

"Ralph's key element is listening," Julander said.

But during Saturday's campaign launch, the avid biker and hiker did more talking as he stopped at seven places, among them downtown, a Glendale market, the governor's grove on the east bench and a strip bustling with hipsters in the heart of Sugar House.

"The position of mayor feels right for giving my service to this place that I love," Becker told his loyalists, who carted yellow campaign signs. "This vision for Salt Lake City can be an affordable reality."

Tony Milner, a Salt Lake City resident who introduced the candidate at Rose Park Elementary, said it "touches my heart" that Becker would first stop at a west-side school that serves minorities.

"Ralph is one of the very few political leaders that actually gets it," Milner said. "He realizes there's actually a west side to the city."

For the past decade, Becker has represented the city's Avenues, Capitol Hill and downtown neighborhoods on Capitol Hill.

Jon Nepstad, an urban planner who turned out at an early stop with his dog, says he'd like to see more neighborhood connectivity in the capital. His fellow planner, Nepstad says, is up to the job.

"The mayor needs to work in a more collaborative, not antagonistic, way," he said. "[Becker] will do a good job."

The roving campaign camp was also joined by state Sen. Scott McCoy, D-Salt Lake City, and City Councilman Eric Jergensen, who both have endorsed Becker.

But for downtown business owner David Ibarra, the mayor's race is not a popularity contest.

"We have one time to get it right," he said about the capital's planned makeover. "I believe Ralph, with his heavy planning experience, is the perfect match."

djensen@sltrib.com

Salt Lake City resident