The Magna firefighter is the only council member who lives west of Interstate 15 - a geographical tidbit that Jensen hopes will define him as a champion of the west side as he ramps up his re-election campaign.

"I may not represent all of the west side," Jensen said, "but I fight for all of the west side." The blue-collar conservative declared his candidacy this week for District 2, a west-side expanse that stretches from the county's southern border to the north, including parts of West Valley City, Riverton and South Jordan along with Copperton, Kearns and Magna.

He pledged to push for a toll-free Mountain View corridor, to develop more west-side regional parks and recreation centers and to empower unincorporated townships to do their own planning and zoning.

But Jensen also got personal about his qualifications, saying his three-time selection as council chairman - his nomination came without Democratic opposition this year - suggests that he is a consensus builder. No Democrat has yet stepped forward to challenge Jensen's re-election. The filing deadline is Monday. - Jeremiah Stettler

* Age: 41.

* Party: Republican.

* Family: Wife, Stacie; five children, Mick (16), Ryan (15), Josh (6), Kendyll (4) and Jake (2).

* Education: Bachelor's degrees in economics and political science, University of Utah; certificates in public administration and international relations, U. of U.; completed four years of course work in the National Fire Academy's executive fire officer program; graduated from Harvard University's fire fellowship program.

* Civic/career experience: Three-time chairman of the Salt Lake County Council; deputy chief for the Unified Fire Authority; vice chairman of the Wasatch Front Regional Council; board member of the Central Utah Water Conservancy District; former board member of the Utah Athletic Foundation.