With current Salt Lake City Council member Darin Mano stepping down from his District 5 seat after his term ends, three candidates are vying to replace him.
They are community activist and nonprofit leader Erika Carlsen; University of Utah researcher and Ballpark Community Council Chair Amy Hawkins; and Liberty Wells resident and security guard Vance Hansen.
Salt Lake City is using ranked-choice voting to determine election winners this cycle. Voters will be able to rank their preferences for all the candidates if they see fit.
The Salt Lake Tribune sent a survey to candidates in all three contested Nov. 4 City Council races in Utah’s capital. Answers may be edited for style and clarity. Here’s how the candidates responded, listed in alphabetical order by last name:
What do you believe is the top issue/challenge Salt Lake City faces right now? How would you address it?
Carlsen: At neighborhood meetings, I hear the same concerns: “We work hard, but we’ll never be able to buy a house.” “We pay half our income on rent.” Too many Salt Lakers can’t find a home they can afford, and too many are worried they’re one rent increase away from displacement. I plan to create more pathways to affordable ownership and equity-building, while protecting and enhancing the character of our neighborhoods. Stability starts when neighbors can root where they live. As your City Council member, I’ll be a tireless advocate for more affordable homeownership.
Hansen: Did not answer.
Hawkins: Our top challenge is the intersection of homelessness, addiction, and public safety. Too many residents — housed and unhoused — are affected by gaps in affordable housing, mental health care and treatment services. With the state leading plans for a new 1,300-bed homeless campus, our approach is changing. City leaders must stay in the conversation to expand shelter and treatment, address root causes, and create solutions that combine compassion, accountability and safety. My strength is that I’ve spent nearly a decade building relationships with state and local leaders on these issues.
What aspects of Mayor Erin Mendenhall’s public safety plan do you believe have been most effective at addressing the problem? What more needs to be done?
Carlsen: I’ve knocked on thousands of doors in our district, and public safety is among neighbors’ top concerns. I appreciate the progress made by the city and Salt Lake City Police Department under the leadership of police Chief Brian Redd. I support efforts to stop the flow of fentanyl, expand treatment and mental health access, increase permanent supportive housing, continue hot-spot policing, and coordinate interventions for repeat offenders. Our collaboration with city, county and state partners is critical. In 2026, I’d like to see our Legislature dedicate a stable funding stream for mental health, homelessness and affordable housing.
Hansen: Did not answer.
Hawkins: 2025 marks the first homicide-free year in the Ballpark neighborhood since 2016 — a real milestone for community safety! The public safety plan represents years of collaboration among city, state, and community partners working on safety, housing, mental health, and homelessness. Four years ago, I called for a mental health receiving center as an alternative to incarceration. This March, that vision became real with the Mental Health Crisis Care Center in South Salt Lake. It’s a success, but we still need more treatment capacity, safer green spaces, and solutions for high-utilizer populations.
What steps can Salt Lake City take to make housing more affordable for residents?
Carlsen: According to a 2020 U.S. Government Accountability Office report, for every $100 increase in the median rent, the estimated homelessness rate rises by about 9%. That’s why lowering the cost of housing is one of my top priorities. On the City Council, I’ll champion rental assistance programs to protect tenants from displacement or unscrupulous landlords, work to maintain our affordable housing, and push for new family-sized housing that complements the character of our neighborhoods. I’ll pursue community land trusts, rent-to-own and other equity-building options to help create more pathways to affordable homeownership.
Hansen: Did not answer.
Hawkins: For years I’ve advocated for incentives to build for-sale town homes and condos so more residents have the opportunity to put down roots and build equity, not just pay rent as down payments continue to rise. I also served on Salt Lake City’s Housing Authority board to understand how federal tax credits can be used to expand affordable housing. I’ll use that experience to strengthen programs that help residents access affordable rentals. We must also work to turn over boarded-up and nuisance properties that sit vacant while people struggle to find homes.
Do you support a pay increase for members of the City Council?
Carlsen: No.
Hansen: Did not answer.
Hawkins: No.
Do you support making the proposed Green Loop in Salt Lake City a budget priority?
Carlsen: Yes.
Hansen: Did not answer.
Hawkins: Yes.