Vineyard, Orem residents announce candidacy for local office
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- The exterior of Orem’s new city hall is pictured Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
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- Vineyard City Hall is shown Sunday, April 13, 2025.
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- Vineyard mayoral candidate Mardi Sifuentes is pictured.
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- Vineyard mayoral candidate Zack Stratton is pictured.
The candidate filing period for 2025 municipal and school board elections opened Monday, and multiple citizens across Utah County announced their candidacy.
The race is on for a new mayor of Vineyard with Mayor Julie Fullmer not seeking reelection. City Councilwoman Mardi Sifuentes announced Friday she will run for the position, while Zack Stratton announced his candidacy on Monday.
Both candidates vowed to turn down the temperature of the politics of the rapidly growing city, which has seen its share of disagreement from elected officials and community members both in social media spheres and City Council meetings.
Most recently, a group of citizens launched a referendum against a bond to build a new city center, accusing the city of lacking transparency. In response, the council voted to cancel the bond last month.
Sifuentes, a first-term councilmember who pushed back against the bond last month due to a lack of community buy-in, said her plan is to strengthen the trust between the city and its citizens.
“I’d love to build that trust in our community where we can make politics boring again,” she said. “I really love it when people disagree. But I think it’s a matter of being willing to take different opinions and take all the different perspectives and actually build something that we can all be proud of. So it’s just about community engagement, engaging the voters, getting their input, giving them the opportunity to help serve with us.”
Stratton, the owner of a landscaping company who led the referendum, vowed to end “deep division” in the community.
“As I’ve met with families, neighbors, and local leaders, one message has come through loud and clear: Vineyard is ready for leadership that listens,” Stratton said. “I’m running to unite this city — not through politics, but through principles that matter: transparency, honest communication and a deep respect for the taxpayers and residents who make Vineyard great.”
Orem
Karen McCandless, a former Orem City councilwoman and the CEO of Community Action Services & Food Bank, announced she will challenge David Young for the mayor seat in November.
The former Orem City councilwoman vowed to lead with common sense and civility.
“I’m running because I believe in the strength of our community, the importance of responsible leadership and the need to preserve the values that make Orem a great place to live, work, and raise a family,” McCandless said.
Young announced last Thursday he is running for a second and final term, pledging to “keep improving the quality of life for every Orem resident, finish the job we started together and ensure Orem remains Family City, USA.”
Two of the three Orem councilmembers whose terms are coming to an end also announced plans for reelection Monday.
LaNae Millet is seeking a second term and said she will remain committed to transparent government and preserving family-focused values.
“I first ran for City Council because residents weren’t being heard,” Millett said. “When high-density development was proposed at 1600 North and State Street — against the will of the surrounding neighborhoods — I stood with residents to stop it. Since being elected, I’ve worked to ensure that Orem’s future is shaped by its citizens, not special interests.”
David Spencer, a proponent of public safety and youth programs, said he looks to continue leading Orem in the right direction.
“Orem is a special place, and as your city councilman, my mission is to keep it that way — not just for today, but for generations to come,” he said. “I’m running to ensure our neighborhoods remain safe and vibrant, our taxes stay low and our community values are upheld.”
Other candidates include Crystal Muhlestein, who said she’ll focus on supporting local business, advocating for family housing and Orem students and schools.
“I believe Orem is, and should remain, Family City USA,” Muhlestein said in a Facebook post. “I am running for City Council to work toward short and long-term solutions that focus on Orem as an attainable destination for families.”
Angela Moulton announced her election plans last week, and said she values transparent, respectful and responsive leadership.
“My work in the classroom and in community service has taught me that real solutions begin with listening,” Moulton said on Facebook. “I am committed to creating space for every resident to have a voice in the decisions that shape their neighborhoods, and ensuring that city government is responsive and reflective of its citizens.”
Truman Van Cott announced his run for Orem City Council in support of homeownership.
“Today, I filed to run for Orem City Council to keep the dream of homeownership alive for my generation of Oremites,” he said via Facebook.
Councilman Tom Macdonald announced last month he will not seek reelection for a fourth term.
