SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – August 12 (Gephardt Daily) — Mayor Ralph Becker and Jackie Biskupski have advanced to the Nov. 3 general election.
Unofficial results from yesterday’s primary show Biskupski was the top vote-getter, with 46.19 percent to Becker’s 30.74 percent. Luke Garrott, who represents District 4, received 12.85 percent, George Chapman got 6.43 percent and Dave Robinson got 3.79 percent.
The results will become final August 18.
Biskupski was quick to react to her victory. In a statement, she said: “I am delighted by the outpouring of support I have received during the Primary Election and am very pleased with our final results. Running against an entrenched incumbent is a challenge but it is clear from the tally that Salt Lake City residents are ready for new leadership and support my vision for this great city.
“Thank you to all the candidates for running a good race and for bringing up important issues that we will continue to address.
“We are just 12 weeks out from the General Election, and our work is far from over. I’m committed to working tirelessly to share my message and vision, and solidify the confidence voters have shown me with today’s vote.
“My campaign is more energized than ever and I look forward to winning the general election in November.”
District 4 was the only Salt Lake City Council race that required a primary. Derek Kitchen, an LGBT activist, and Nate Salazar, a community activist, will advance to the Nov. 3 general election. Kitchen received 36.2 percent of the vote, and Salazar was second with 17.94 percent.
Miles Petty had 16.23 percent, followed by Babs De Lay at 15.58 percent and Jen Colby at 14.04 percent.
The 2015 Salt Lake City mayoral election will take place on November 3, 2015. The election will be held concurrently with various other local election. Ballots will be mailed out to voters Oct. 5.
For more information please go to https://slco.org/clerk/elections/election-results/
On July 16,2015 I arrived at the mayoral debate early and sat on the first row. I was wearing a tee-shirt that said “Ralph Becker for Mayor” I was approached by the moderator of the event Jennifer Napier-Pearce. She asked me to move to the second row because she said essentially I was wearing a candidate support tee-shirt. I pointed out to her the library was a public place. She then tried to cover that she, a reporter with a masters degree from Stanford, tried to limit free speech; by saying she needed the chair for her assistant. I apologized and moved to the other side of the auditorium still on the first row.
Then, I was approached by Jackie Biskupski who said I needed to sit on the same side of the auditorium as the candidate I was supporting.
So I moved back to the same area in the seat adjacent to the seat I thought Jennifer had said she needed for her assistant. Jennifer then came back over and said she needed the seat I was sitting in for assistant. I said I thought it was the other seat but she of course could have both seats; and I moved one over.
The next day I called the Salt Lake City Tribune and asked if they paid a fee to rent the space. The manger I spoke to said they did not. Therefore, Jennifer Napier- Pearce could not have believed in my opinion, that the tribune had a private endeavor with the library and she was justified legally in attempting to limit free expression of political speech. The fact that Jennifer Napier Pearce asked me to move to the second row initially without a legal justification for doing so, in my opinion, demonstrates a bias. Since Jennifer was the one who screened the questions that were selected from readers, it also in my opinion impugns integrity of the debate.
The fact that Jackie Biskupski said I needed to sit on the other side of the auditorium demonstrates a emotional instability, in my opinion -specifically excessively inappropriate controlling behavior. It’s absurd that she thinks she should control where people sit in a public space. It is a telling flaw and should be an alarm for voters.
Mayor Ralph Becker on the other hand has a history of tolerance for all persons. He was honored by the Whitehouse for reducing chronic homelessness among veterans to a functional zero. He has made it unable to target the housing of persons with disabilities. I have seen his successful efforts throughout the community. A disabled veteran told me about his apartment. A man I know is no longer homeless; and no longer carrying a large duffle-bag everywhere he goes. I saw a person who had a verbal disability who used to beg on main street buying stuff to clean an apartment. A disabled senior I know retained his housing.
Ralph was successful in supporting the first non-discrimination ordinance for the LGBT community with regards to housing and employment.
He put together the team that convinced google fiber to select Salt Lake City. We are ahead of other cities in construction because of Ralph Becker’s expertise with geographically planing.
He argued against the prison specifically because of the wetlands. His environmental credits make him the most qualified to identify federal protections against the prison at the committee’s selected Site. Ralph Becker is substance. Ralph Becker is genuine. Ralph Becker is the best Choice for Salt Lake City mayor.