Provo City Council Candidates – Provo Tribune: Local News for the Provo/Orem Area (2024)

_{By Mike Romero}

Over the last week, we’ve been spotlighting candidates running for Provo City Council. In Provo, our community is divided up into neighborhoods and districts. Members of the City Council represent districts. For districts with a large number of candidates, these candidates must undergo the Primary Election process.

This year, only candidates for the Citywide II Seat are listed on the ballot for the primaries. The purpose of the Primary Election is to narrow down the number of candidates for the general election. The two candidates with the most votes advance to the general ballot. District 1, District 3, and District 4 already have a narrow number of candidates, so they bypass the Primary Election process.

The candidates for the Citywide II primaries are:

• Wendy Ahlman
• Tanner Bennett
• Gary Garrett
• McKay R. Jensen
• Nathan Smith Jones
• Joseph Penrose

While the Primary Election is Tuesday, September 5, mail-in ballots have already been sent out to Provo residents who are active, registered voters, and voting is already underway. A postage paid envelope should have been provided for convenience, but to save taxpayer dollars, Utah County has provided severaldrop box locations. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked before election day.

Alternatively, you can drop your ballot off at an early voting location or an Election Day voting location.You can find a location near you here. While the deadline to register to vote in the Citywide II primaries has passed, voters may register to vote at an early voting location or at a polling location on Election Day. You’ll need to bring at least two forms of identification to the polling location to prove your citizenship and residency. The deadline to register to vote online is November 10.

The Primary Election is September 5, 2023. The General Election is November 21, 2023. Ballots will not be accepted after 8 PM on these days.

If you did not receive your ballot or need a replacement ballot, call Utah County at 801-851-8128.

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A Note from the Provo Tribune Editorial Team

Election season is upon us. Part of our mission atThe Provo Tribuneis to help Provo citizens to become active, informed voters who are anxiously engaged in building their community. To further this mission, we’re highlighting every candidate running for Provo City Council this year. These features do not constitute an endorsem*nt, and are done as a public service for the community.

Who is Nathan Smith Jones?

Nathan Smith Jones is a Doctor of Media, Education, and Epistemology (from University of Northern Colorado). He has taught for 20 years in schools in and around Provo, Utah.

A student of politics and history, he is running for Provo City Council in the City-Wide II primary election. He’s seeking public office because he believes that he can help Provo grow in healthy ways for all parties involved.

“I never had the honor of serving in the military,” he says. “But I want to serve my country by serving my community.”

• Email:njones.biz@gmail.com

• TagsDowntown Provo, Nathan Smith Jones, Nathan Smith Jones Provo, Provo, Provo City, Provo City Council Candidates, Provo City Council Race, Provo Elections, Provo News, Provo Newspaper, Provo Tribune, Utah, Utah County News, Utah News, Utah Newspaper

A Note from the Provo Tribune Editorial Team

Election season is upon us. Part of our mission atThe Provo Tribuneis to help Provo citizens to become active, informed voters who are anxiously engaged in building their community. To further this mission, we’re highlighting every candidate running for Provo City Council this year. These features do not constitute an endorsem*nt, and are done as a public service for the community.

Who is McKay R. Jensen?

Inspired by his father’s 40 years as a town clerk, McKay Jensen grew up witnessing the importance of public service. Following in his father’s footsteps, he has been trying to make Provo better for 25 years.

With nearly a decade of experience on the Provo School Board, as well as leadership roles as President of the Provo Board of Education and Chair of the MTech Board of Trustees, McKay has made contributions to local education. He also served on the Governor’s Commission on Excellence in Education, gaining a front-row seat to the legislative processes and procedures that bring more funding to Provo.

As Provo experiences rapid growth, McKay recognizes the need for cautious expansion through experienced leadership. His campaign platform emphasizes the importance of addressing “critical needs” rather than prioritizing “frivolous wants.”

He is an outspoken advocate for responsible budgeting practices. This includes investing in essential services like public safety, infrastructure, and sidewalks. With a focus on transparency, McKay wants to help residents understand how their tax dollars are being spent.

• Email:mckay.jensen@gmail.com
• Website:www.mckayjensen.com

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A Note from the Provo Tribune Editorial Team

Election season is upon us. Part of our mission atThe Provo Tribuneis to help Provo citizens to become active, informed voters who are anxiously engaged in building their community. To further this mission, we’re highlighting every candidate running for Provo City Council this year. These features do not constitute an endorsem*nt, and are done as a public service for the community.

Who is Wendy Ahlman?

Wendy Ahlman is running in the City Wide II – Primary Election for Provo City Council. She has called Provo home for the last 27 years.

“I have been fortunate to raise all six of my children here,” says Ahlman. “As a teacher and business owner for over 20 years, I started Chrysalis Preschool and Kindergarten in our historic home in downtown Provo in 2004 with a newborn in my arms and my toddler learning at my feet. After a lot of hard work and dedication, I’ve expanded Chrysalis Preschool and Kindergarten into what it is today.”

When she outgrew the preschool space in her home, she bought an abandoned historic pioneer building on University Avenue, and completely restored it in 2017.

“As my business has grown I’ve developed a strong team of employees, which has helped me branch out further into the community,” she says. “I’ve served as PTA president and on several school boards at my children’s schools over the years.”

In 2022 she earned her master’s degree in Educational Leadership from BYU. Her goals for being on the Provo City Council are to keep Provo historic with a small town feel, and growing in a way that’s best for every resident.

She loves spending time with her family, playing the guitar, speaking Swedish, and writing and illustrating children’s books.

• Email:misswendyforprovo@gmail.com
• Website:wendyahlman.com
• Instagram:@voteformisswendy

• TagsDowntown Provo, Provo Candidates, Provo City Council Candidates, Provo City Council Election, Provo City Government, Provo Election, Provo Municipal election, Provo News, Provo Newspaper, Provo Tribune, Utah County News, Utah Newspaper, Wendy Ahlman, Wendy Ahlman Provo, Wendy Ahlman Provo City Council Race

A Note from the Provo Tribune Editorial Team

Election season is upon us. Part of our mission atThe Provo Tribuneis to help Provo citizens to become active, informed voters who are anxiously engaged in building their community. To further this mission, we’re highlighting every candidate running for Provo City Council this year. These features do not constitute an endorsem*nt, and are done as a public service for the community.

Who is Gary Garrett?

Gary Garrett is running for the Provo City Council Citywide Seat. He and his wife, Jana, chose to raise their five children in Provo because of they appreciated the quality of life the city provides.

Garrett is an experienced business and civic leader, having worked and served in downtown Provo for over 30 years. This experience, combined with studies pursuant to his master’s degree in public administration, has helped him understand and bridge important relationships between private enterprise and government.

Through his work with the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce and the Provo Downtown Alliance, and his participation on at least a dozen civic and community service boards, he has working knowledge of what helps Provo business thrive.

“With my previous Provo City Council experience,” says Garrett. “I have a proven track record for bringing people together and getting things done, such as helping facilitate the timely resolution of disputes between government, business, and neighborhoods.”

For example, he co-chaired a citizen’s committee to help bring Provo residents the Provo Rec Center, which provides Provo citizens with nationally recognized recreation and fitness facilities.

“I will be honored to help Provo navigate its exciting future,” says Garret.

• Email:garygarrett88@gmail.com
• Website:garygarrett.org

• TagsDowntown Provo, Gary Garret, Gary Garret Provo City Candidate, Gary Garret Provo City Council, Provo City, Provo City Council, Provo City Council Candidates, Provo City Council Race, Provo Elections, Provo Municipal Elections, Provo News, Provo Newspaper, Provo Tribune, Utah News, Who is running for Provo City Council?

A Note from the Provo Tribune Editorial Team

Election season is upon us. Part of our mission atThe Provo Tribuneis to help Provo citizens to become active, informed voters who are anxiously engaged in building their community. To further this mission, we’re highlighting every candidate running for Provo City Council this year. These features do not constitute an endorsem*nt, and are done as a public service for the community.

Who is Joseph Penrose?

Joseph Penrose is a 27-year-old entrepreneur running for Provo City Council in the City Wide II Primary Election. He wants to help build a prosperous and beneficial community for all of Provo’s residents. Joseph is originally from the suburbs of Chicago, but has made Provo his home with his spouse Gabi.

Joseph is an avid hiker and loves the beautiful mountains and nature surrounding Provo. While at Utah Valley University, Joseph studied Aviation and Political Science. He has worked in construction since the age of 16 and has climbed the corporate ladder within the industry.

Not only does he know what it takes to build a house, he also knows how to build communities in healthy ways that don’t harm the current community or its ideals in the process. He promises to have unwavering dedication to his clear vision of a prosperous and compassionate Provo.

“Together we can create a city where opportunity and quality of life thrive for all,” says Joseph. His goal is to bring fresh ideas and innovative solutions to the table. He promises to be an advocate for citizens, and work tirelessly to build a bright future for every individual and family in Provo.

• Email:penroseforprovo@gmail.com
• Website:www.penroseforprovo.com
• Instagram:@josephpenrose

• TagsDowntown Provo, Joseph Penrose Provo, Provo, Provo City, Provo City Council, Provo City Council Candidates, Provo City Council Race, Provo Municipal Elections, Provo News, Provo Newspaper, Provo Tribune, Utah, Utah County News, Utah News, Utah Newspaper