Preliminary results from the 2025 general municipal election in Utah County indicate significant political changes, with several cities poised to welcome new mayors. This election marks a pivotal moment as both incumbents and challengers vie for leadership positions, reflecting a shift in voter sentiment across the region.
Vineyard’s Mayoral Race
In Vineyard, entrepreneur and businessman Zack Stratton is leading the race for mayor with approximately 58% of the votes. Mardi Sifuentes, a city councilwoman, trails with around 41%. The current mayor, Julie Fullmer, who has held office for eight years, announced she would not seek reelection. Fullmer faced criticism from supporters of councilman Jacob Holdaway, who has accused her of corruption. In response, Fullmer has described Holdaway’s approach as combative, arguing it hindered the city’s progress.
The election also introduced a new council member position following the passage of Proposition 10 last year, which received support from 74% of voters. In the race for this seat, Parker McCumber currently leads with 21% of the votes, closely followed by Jacob Wood at 20.6% and David Lauret with 20.2%. Current council member Brett Clawson trails with nearly 14%, while Utah County administrator Ezra Nair has garnered 12.8%.
Orem’s Competitive Landscape
In Orem, incumbent mayor David Young is facing a formidable challenge from Karen McCandless, the CEO of Community Action Services and Food Bank. Preliminary results show McCandless leading with 52% of the vote, compared to Young’s 47%. Young has promoted Orem as “Family City USA” and has strongly opposed high-density housing developments. His tenure has not been without controversy, particularly following a failed initiative for a city-specific school and an incident involving his son linked to a $1 million legal issue.
McCandless, a former city council member from 2001 to 2014, brings significant experience to her campaign and appears to resonate with voters seeking change in Orem’s leadership.
As the election results continue to unfold, the shifts in mayoral leadership across Utah County could lead to new priorities and policies in these communities. The final outcomes will likely clarify the direction local governance will take in the years to come.
