Salt Lake County Council member Aimee Winder Newton, who has been at the center of controversy after she and her Republican colleagues pushed to eliminate four county-run day cares, has announced that she will not seek reelection in the fall.
Winder Newton said in a Facebook post Thursday that she decided last spring she wouldn’t run again and instead will finish out her third term representing District 3, which includes Taylorsville, Murray and parts of West Valley City and West Jordan.
Winder Newton ran for governor in 2020 and currently serves as a senior adviser to Gov. Spencer Cox and director of state’s Office of Families alongside her role on the part-time council.
“It has been a deep honor,” Winder Newton wrote, “to be the first Republican woman elected to the council, serve as the first woman chair, and represent District 3 with conservative principles and a strong commitment to working across the aisle.”
She added that her proudest accomplishments on the council were expanding mental health services, supporting public safety and reining in the county budget.
“Each year I proposed budget cuts and rallied votes to save taxpayer dollars,” Winder Newton continued. “I was never afraid to make hard decisions in the best interest of the county and taxpayers. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to serve my constituents in District 3. Thank you for your trust and support!”
Her GOP council colleague, Sheldon Stewart, who has represented District 5’s southwest portion of Salt Lake County since 2023, announced Friday he planned to withdraw his candidacy for reelection after “deep reflection” and consultation with his family, he said in a Facebook post.
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) Sheldon Stewart makes remarks after being sworn in as Salt Lake County Council member in 2023. He is not seeking reelection in 2026.
He added that it was not an easy decision, but “strong conservatives” have “already expressed interest,” so he is comfortable with bowing out.
“Serving the residents of the southwest valley has been a profound honor, and I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together,” Stewart wrote. “When I took office, I promised to bring a conservative, experienced voice to the council and to work toward reducing the size and scope of county government. Looking back, we have made significant strides toward that goal.”
Republican council member Laurie Stringham meanwhile, has announced that she will seek reelection. Stringham serves as a countywide member on the panel.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) From left: Salt Lake County Council members Dea Theodore, Laurie Stringham and Aimee Winder Newton listen to an online comment in November.
The final County Council seat up for election this fall is District 1, which includes most of Salt Lake City and the northwestern portion of the county. Democratic council member Jiro Johnson, who holds the post after replacing former District 1 council member Arlyn Bradshaw last spring, plans to run for reelection in November as well.
Republicans currently hold a narrow 5-4 edge on the female-majority council.