2025 primary election candidates for Provo mayoral seat profiled
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- The outside of City Hall in Provo is pictured Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025.
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- Provo mayoral candidate Marsha Judkins is pictured in an undated photo.
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- Provo Mayor Michelle Kaufusi
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- Provo mayoral candidate Eric Mutch is pictured in an undated photo.
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- Provo mayoral candidate Thatcher A. Longman is pictured in an undated photo.
Primary season is underway in Utah Valley, where Provo and many other cities will hold a municipal primary election Aug. 12.
With ballots now in the hands of registered voters, the Daily Herald is inviting candidates for local office in some of Utah County’s cities to respond to a questionnaire to talk about their campaigns.
Provo residents will vote to narrow the current list of four mayoral candidates down to two.
In this series, the Provo candidates vying for the mayoral seat include: Marsha Judkins, incumbent mayor Michelle Kaufusi, Thatcher Longman and Eric Mutch. All explain why they are the ideal person to lead Utah County’s largest city.
Some responses were lightly edited for stylistic purposes or clarity.
Here are their responses (listed in alphabetical order):
Mayoral candidates
Marsha Judkins
What (if any) prior or ongoing political/organizational experience do you have?
In my 40 years as a Provo resident, I’ve stayed busy.
State Representative for District 61 (West Provo/Southwest Orem) in the Utah Legislature. Provo City School District: Board member and public administration. The Refuge Domestic Violence Shelter: Board member. Utah Valley University School of Education: Board member. United Way of Utah County: Welcome Baby Volunteer (supporting new parents and babies). Utah County Boys & Girls Club: Consultant. Westridge PTO: President and volunteer. Lakeview Neighborhood Program: Chair person.
Why are you running for this position?
I love Provo. My husband and I raised our seven children here and want them to be able to live and raise their families here. I want the best for every family and resident in our city. I’m running for mayor because Provo needs thoughtful, experienced leadership — someone who listens, works hard, communicates openly, and is willing to tackle serious issues. While representing West Provo in the state Legislature, I witnessed the untapped potential of our city. We must plan strategically, set clear goals with measurable outcomes and ensure all areas of Provo are moving forward together. With a strong track record of building consensus and finding fiscally responsible win-win solutions, I will get things done without growing government. As mayor, I’ll work to revitalize our local economy, strengthen city services and make it easier for families and businesses to thrive. I’m ready to lead with vision, collaboration, transparency and trust.
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing your municipality?
Provo’s a remarkable city, but we face real challenges that require fresh ideas and focused leadership. Our sales tax revenue has been steadily declining, putting pressure on our city’s budget. Downtown Provo is struggling with too many empty storefronts, and our aging infrastructure needs timely replacement. Housing affordability is an issue — both for renters and for buyers — as is the lack of student housing near campus, which leads to overcrowded rentals in neighborhoods. Our outdated master plan doesn’t reflect today’s realities or guide responsible growth. Inefficient processes for permits and licensing frustrate both residents and local businesses. Provo lacks a unifying strategic vision with clear goals and measurable outcomes, and many residents feel left out of the conversation. We need a shared sense of connection across neighborhoods; too often, residents are unaware of what’s happening in other parts of our city. I’ll address challenges and work to elevate our quality of life.
If elected, what would be your priorities?
I will prioritize trust and transparency in city government. That includes creating a public transparency portal so residents can see how decisions are made and tax dollars are spent. I’ll focus on cutting red tape and streamlining permitting processes to support local businesses and help strengthen Provo’s economy. I’ll lead a much-needed update to the city’s master plan to ensure that growth reflects the needs of families and residents, protects the character of our neighborhoods, and creates opportunities for services in areas currently lacking. I’ll also work with stakeholders to revitalize downtown and address urgent infrastructure needs. I’ll protect taxpayers by championing strong fiscal oversight and making sure city resources are used wisely. Provo is a beautiful place to live and raise a family. My focus will be on building on what we do well, listening to and advocating for residents and fixing areas of concern to elevate our city.
Where should people go to get more information about your campaign?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marshajudkins/
Email: marshaforprovo@gmail.com
Personal phone: 801-669-6962
Michelle Kaufusi
What (if any) prior or ongoing political/organizational experience do you have?
I am the current mayor of Provo. I served on the Provo PTA, including as board president.
Why are you running for this position?
Because I love this city — and I’m not done serving it.
I was born and raised in Provo, raised my five children here and have spent my adult life working to make this community stronger. Being mayor isn’t just a job for me — it’s personal. I see the faces behind every decision we make. I listen to neighbors at community meetings, walking our trails, visiting schools and talking with local business owners. And I know what’s at stake.
We’ve made real progress — safer streets, strong neighborhoods, a growing economy and national recognition as the best-run city in America. But there’s still work to do. I’m running for re-election because I want to keep that momentum going and make sure Provo continues to thrive — not just for us today, but for future generations.
I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished together, and I’m ready to keep working hard for the city we all love.
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing your municipality?
Provo is growing — and while that’s exciting, it also brings real challenges.
One of our biggest priorities is making sure growth doesn’t outpace our ability to provide essential services. That means keeping our infrastructure strong, maintaining public safety with fully staffed police and fire departments and protecting the character of our neighborhoods as we welcome new development.
We’re also working hard to keep Provo affordable. That includes responsible budgeting, prioritizing core services and finding smart ways to invest in our future without placing the burden on taxpayers.
And of course, we’re always focused on quality of life — whether that’s maintaining parks and trails, supporting local businesses or making sure residents have a voice in city decisions.
Provo has incredible momentum right now. The challenge — and the opportunity — is to manage that momentum wisely so we stay true to who we are while building for the future.
If elected, what would be your priorities?
My top priority is making sure Provo remains a safe, strong and well-managed city for generations to come.
That starts with public safety — keeping our police and fire departments fully staffed, investing in new technology and supporting the people who protect our neighborhoods.
I’ll continue pushing for smart, balanced growth that respects Provo’s character while allowing our city to thrive. That means protecting neighborhoods, preserving open space, and making sure new development fits Provo — not the other way around.
We’ll keep building on our momentum with infrastructure that meets the needs of a growing city, an airport that drives economic opportunity and a budget that reflects conservative, responsible leadership.
And just as important: I’ll continue to be a mayor who shows up. Listening to residents, walking neighborhoods and making sure every voice is heard.
Provo’s future is bright. I’m running to make sure we keep moving in the right direction — together.
Where should people go to get more information about your campaign?
Email: Michelle@Michelle4Mayor.com
Thatcher Longman
What (if any) prior or ongoing political/organizational experience do you have?
Unremarkably, my youth is pertinent in this endeavor. While I maintain a significant education regarding civil law and history, my direct political experience is limited. Although I harbor no concerns over my own competence in regards to the responsibilities of a mayoral office, I understand some may find my absent record concerning. In this case, it’s a battle between wisdom and knowledge, where wisdom is an aggregate of one’s experiences, and knowledge an example of individual dedication. My little wisdom was made in the modern era and by the struggles that we still face. I would wager that this novel experience provides insight for efforts that remedy our city’s current flaws, and establish a visionary course towards tomorrow. I would argue that this is worlds more important than being involved in the failings of our past governing efforts, the same efforts which I have studied for the bulk of my life.
Why are you running for this position?
The simple answer is that I live here, and plan to continue living here. I want our city to be a place of sustainable growth (both economic and socially), innovation and opportunity. More than this, I want to rally new generations behind a banner of progress. To truly decide for themselves how they will shape their future. I see the struggles faced: higher costs of living, lower wages, lacking workers’ rights, ignored progress, nonexistent welfare and rampant greed. I see these bright people alongside me, who think of ways to build a better life for centuries to come, but are limited to the poor governing system of our nation. Truly, I imagine that when these people are given the reins to their home and nation, we will embark on a new era for mankind. I want to give these brilliant people the opportunity to do so.
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing your municipality?
The cost of housing, both for renters and future homeowners has accelerated exponentially, far outpacing median wages. It is nigh impossible to be reasonably employed and purchase a home. And the homes that are being developed are mass produced, overpriced and frankly too bland to imagine a future in. Additionally, we have yet to put significant funding into updating our infrastructure to align with modern technological improvements, nor to invest in longevity for our infrastructure.
On a more general note, we haven’t yet established any kind of fundamental change in our education system since the 1900s, we haven’t improved our quality of life as a nation alongside similarly wealthy nations despite being one of the largest economic markets in the world, we permit corporations to sway our government more than public opinion and we have markets based entirely off of exploiting people. These are our big hurdles for the future.
If elected, what would be your priorities?
Predominantly, I will update our electrical grid to support large solar farms (which can be developed over large parking lots and other already existing but inefficient areas), which enables us to either lower energy costs or sell it outside the city to fund other city endeavors. Beyond that, I want to establish an aeroponic production center, intent on lowering food costs, and paving the way for similar advanced developments in a sustainable future. Perhaps a bit harder than the other two, I want to develop a residential housing program that over the course of several years, will provide updated, efficient and affordable housing. I intend to increase wages as well as encourage lower full-time working hours via tax credits, alongside preventing any increases in property tax and utilities.
Where should people go to get more information about your campaign?
Email: longmanforprovo@gmail.com
Text: 801-427-9046
Eric Mutch
What (if any) prior or ongoing political/organizational experience do you have?
None at all. Completely clean and nonaffiliate. I have a Master of Business Administration degree.
Why are you running for this position?
I am so thrilled to see the nonpartisan elections happen around Utah County. I love that a candidate will run on merit and qualifications. Municipal elections are about running a city and politics is very secondary to that. We aren’t a neighborhood or a party or a group of individuals. We are a city. I want to do my part to make great things happen, and I think we finally have a chance to do that cleanly.
We all care about Provo. No one is running with ulterior motives. That said, I have lived here my whole life, My parents lived here, and I expect to hand my home down to my kids. I would like Provo to be better and better as we pass the baton to the next generations. I would like the chance to do my part to make that a reality.
What do you think are the biggest challenges facing your municipality?
We are set to lose as much as 30% of our jobs to automation by 2030. Building the infrastructure needed to attract business and buffer our economy against the coming tsunami of AI and automation is a critical and urgent matter. I am uniquely qualified to do this.
I love what has been done in our city so far, but I think its time to shift focus toward those things which are pending and rising problems, like the drug and homeless issues, housing, the development of southwest Provo and our declining neighborhoods. We don’t have the problems a lot of cities face, but work needs to be done to keep it that way. We need to get ahead of these things.
If elected, what would be your priorities?
Firstly and foremost, I would like to keep nonpartisan elections truly nonpartisan. Partisan politics, even in the background, handicap a local official’s ability to make decisions for the sake of the city rather than a party. I love the initiative we have to take the letters off the names of the candidates, but we need to go further than that. I would love to see our candidates commit to being loyal to the city and the city alone.
Secondly, building the infrastructure needed to attract business and buffer our economy. We need public transportation, we need power and utilities, we need supporting businesses and local culture and flavor.
Thirdly, address the ‘hidden’ problems in our city I mentioned above. Fortunately a lot of the things we will do to build our economy go hand in hand with this initiative.
Where should people go to get more information about your campaign?
Facebook, Instagram, Youtube and TikTok: @MutchforMayor
