Provo mayoral election: Meet the 4 candidates vying to run Utah County’s largest city

This year’s race for Provo’s mayor pits the seven-year incumbent against three competitors vying to lead Utah County’s largest city.

Incumbent Michelle Kaufusi is facing former state Rep. Marsha Judkins, entrepreneur Eric Mutch and community advocate Thatcher A. Longman.

To help readers on voting day, The Salt Lake Tribune sent each candidate a series of questions outlining their goals and visions for the city. The questionnaire asked the candidates to respond in 50 to 60 words. Those responses have been minimally edited for style and clarity.

Primary municipal elections will be held Tuesday, Aug. 12. Mail-in ballots have already been sent to registered voters. Polls are open until 8 p.m. on election night. A list of voting locations can be found at vote.utahcounty.gov/voting-locations. Other information, including about early in-person voting, is available at vote.utahcounty.gov/voter-information.

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Marsha Judkins

1. Why are you running for mayor?

I love Provo and believe we can elevate it to its full potential. From housing to red tape to downtown revitalization, we need real solutions, safe neighborhoods and greater transparency. With proven experience and accountability, I will be a mayor who listens, collaborates and solves problems. I want to bring our vibe back and to build a connected, thriving community.

2. What is your vision for Provo?

My vision for Provo is a vibrant, welcoming city where families thrive, businesses grow and every resident feels heard. I see a safe, connected community that respects taxpayers, tackles challenges head-on and plans wisely for the future — preserving what makes Provo unique, enhancing our natural beauty and building the trust and momentum to elevate Provo for generations to come.

3. What sets you apart from the other candidates?

My experience and education set me apart. I hold a master’s in Public Administration, served on the Provo School Board and in the Utah Legislature, and teach critical thinking at [Utah Valley University]. I understand budgets, laws and how government works — and I’ve built strong relationships with nonprofits and stakeholders to solve problems and serve the entire community effectively.

4. What is the most important issue facing Provo? How will you solve it?

Provo’s biggest challenge is planning for growth while protecting affordability and quality of life. As we grow, we must address rising housing costs, declining sales tax revenue and pressure on infrastructure. Strengthening neighborhoods, improving transportation and supporting local businesses will help us grow responsibly and keep Provo livable, connected and financially sustainable for today’s families and future generations.

5. How will your leadership differ from the current administration? What could be improved?

My leadership will be hands-on, responsive and collaborative. I’ll work with residents, city council and staff to create a strategic plan with clear goals and measurable results. I’ll be accessible — answering calls, responding to emails and actively engaging in the community. I’ll cut the time and bureaucracy of getting a building permit, encourage economic development and support a city transparency portal.

Michelle Kaufusi

1. Why are you running for mayor?

I love this city. I’ve spent my life in Provo — raising my family here and working every day to serve our residents. I’m running because I believe in Provo’s potential and want to keep us moving forward with strong leadership, smart growth and a deep respect for the people who call this place home.

2. What is your vision for Provo?

I want Provo to stay safe, vibrant and full of opportunity. That means investing in neighborhoods, managing growth wisely, and keeping our economy strong. It also means listening closely to residents and making sure we stay true to the values that make Provo such a great place to live and raise a family.

3. What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I have a proven record of leading through action, not promises. I’ve built strong relationships with residents, businesses and state leaders — and I show up. I don’t just talk about solutions — I work with others to make them happen. I’m not new to this work, and I know how to get things done for Provo.

4. What is the most important issue facing Provo? How will you solve it?

Managing growth without losing our character is one of Provo’s biggest challenges. We’re seeing real pressure on housing, traffic and infrastructure. My approach is careful and collaborative — working with neighborhoods, protecting open space and making sure development supports the city we love, not changing it into something we don’t recognize.

5. What are you most proud of accomplishing over your years in office? What do you plan to improve upon in the future?

I’m proud that Provo was named the best-run city in America — twice. We’ve made smart investments in infrastructure, grown our parks and improved public safety. But I’m not done. I want to keep strengthening neighborhoods, increase housing options and make sure the city government stays open, responsive and focused on the people we serve.

Thatcher A. Longman

1. Why are you running for mayor?

I see the innovation in modern cities throughout Europe and find that most cities within the United States are significantly behind in our urban planning and societal progress. Despite the U.S. economy having the largest GDP, not one of our cities rank within the top 10 or 20 cities in the world for quality of life. This spits in the face of every citizen.

2. What is your vision for Provo?

I aim to carefully allocate funding to develop new city operated enterprises; we can create revenue streams that will enable Provo to fund more services and programs immediately. This will make Provo cheaper, public-focused and filled with new opportunities. I intend for this new funding to rework infrastructure, provide publicly owned residential areas and enable us to be very generous with urban planning.

3. What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I am not confined to previous methods of municipal leadership. I strive for innovation and progress more than I do trying to fix what hasn’t worked for the last few decades. I’ve lived well within the struggles that define our modern day, and I’ve been acquainted with the most effective methods to remedy them while also providing a forward-facing plan which defines many of the best cities throughout the world.

4. What is the most important issue facing Provo? How will you solve it?

A very prominent issue within Provo is keeping the students and new families who grew up here. Cost of living has exploded beyond reason, property prices have skyrocketed far past median wages and our city services are struggling to provide enough to justify staying in Provo. I intend to fix this by again revising the way Provo creates revenue, aiming to significantly lower costs and provide more public services.

5. How will your leadership differ from the current administration? What could be improved?

I will be the most innovative mayor. My project plan will be aimed at removing frivolous expenses and putting our funding into creating more than maintaining. I intend to establish departments that provide profit for Provo, new job opportunities and services for residents without costing a Provo resident a dime more. These things can be implemented now, or even 20 years ago, but haven’t.

Eric Mutch

1. Why are you running for mayor?

My main reason is an economic issue. By 2030 we will lose at least 30% of our workforce to automation and AI. Provo hasn’t begun to fortify against that or even started conversations about how we should start.

I feel uniquely qualified to address this as I have spent the last 15 years in senior management supporting enterprise data centers where AI and automation are being created and facilitated.

Alongside that we need to stop compartmentalizing problems like housing and homelessness and start curing those things. We have neighborhoods in decline and we need to take action.

2. What is your vision for Provo?

Mutch did not answer.

3. What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I am not a politician. I have never signed with a party, only ever registered as independent, and remain truly nonpartisan. I am running on my qualifications and management experience only. A mayor should be free or political pressure and able to make decisions which are best for the city and ONLY the city.

4. What is the most important issue facing Provo? How will you solve it?

Provo has everything to build Silicon Slopes and more. We just need to connect the dots and polish the brass. Provo’s economy could be better because of AI, rather than being overwhelmed by it. Also creative housing measures need to be done to reduce housing costs, and our infrastructure is aging and desperately in need of repair. Good economies create resources to solve issues.

5. How will your leadership differ from the current administration? What could be improved?

My leadership will be one of shifting our focus to building the infrastructure and economy we need to have a brighter future. Provo is beautiful, has great services and a great lifestyle. Now we need to work on our foundation so we can keep that going for our kids and their kids.

More information about each candidates, as well as their contact information and links to their campaign, are available on Provo city’s candidates website.