Alan Jimenez is running against Lisa Shepherd (R, incumbent), Tom Waqa (R), Melanie Craghead (D), Cynthia Wren (D), Jennifer Doud (Constitution).
HD-61 covers southwest Orem and west Provo in heavily Republican Utah County, where Orem's Hispanic community grew 39.6% between 2010-2020 and Utah's Latino population reached nearly 600,000 in 2024 (17% of state). Incumbent Lisa Shepherd won 2024 unopposed, making this an uphill challenge for any Democrat. Jimenez must first win a three-way Democratic convention on April 25, 2026 against Melanie Craghead and Cynthia Wren.
Three Democrats competing at the April 25, 2026 party convention: Alan Jimenez, Melanie Craghead, and Cynthia Wren. The winner faces Republican incumbent Lisa Shepherd plus Republican challenger Tom Waqa and Constitution Party candidate Jennifer Doud in the general. Jimenez endorsed by the Utah Forward Party and confirmed as filed via vote.utah.gov candidate filings. District demographics are shifting -- Utah's Latino population grew faster than any other demographic group, but Republican registration dominance in Utah County makes a Democratic win unlikely without significant crossover support. **Research note:** Two thorough passes (Feb 7 and Feb 8, 2026) found zero public biographical information -- no campaign website, social media, LinkedIn, news interviews, or community organization profiles. This is an extremely low-profile candidacy.
Key dates to watch: Primary on June 23, 2026 and General Election on November 3, 2026.