Erika CarlsenServing

Erika Carlsen

City CouncilDemocrat

UT-Salt Lake City District 5 City Council

Mexican-American (granddaughter of Mexican immigrants)·Salt Lake City Council Vice Chair (2026-present)

Why This Race Matters

Carlsen's election in November 2025 completed a historic Latino majority on the Salt Lake City Council -- 4 of 7 seats held by Latinos, a first for any major city council in Utah. She was then named Vice Chair alongside Chair Alejandro Puy, creating the council's first all-queer, all-Latino leadership team. The council also holds first-ever female and LGBTQ+ majorities.

Won District 5 with 65.7% of the vote (2,838 votes) in Round 1 of ranked-choice voting, defeating Amy Hawkins (31.0%) and Vance Hansen (3.3%). Replaced Darin Mano who did not seek re-election. Latino majority came just six years after SLC elected its first minority council member, Ana Valdemoros, in 2019. Not up for re-election until 2029.

About

Erika Carlsen represents Salt Lake City's District 5, encompassing Ballpark, Central Ninth, East Liberty Park, and Liberty Wells. Born in Ogden, Utah, she is the granddaughter of Mexican immigrants and the first woman in her family to attend college. A nonprofit leader and community organizer, she co-founded the Ballpark Action Team to build collective power in her neighborhood. She was elected in November 2025 with 65.7% of the vote, completing the council's first-ever female, Latino, and LGBTQ+ majorities.

Family & Heritage

Born in Ogden, Utah. Granddaughter of Mexican immigrants. Daughter of a small business owner and public servants. First woman in her family to attend college. Proudly queer Latina. Donated a kidney to her Tia (aunt) and is a passionate advocate for organ donation. Has two black cats named Yuri and Kahlo.

Political Career

Before Politics

Director of Culture, Operations & Strategic Initiatives at Trust-Based Philanthropy Project; Deputy Chief of Staff at National Trust for Local News; Managing Director of Civic Leadership at Coro Northern California; oversaw nine leadership development fellowship programs at Harvard Kennedy School including U.S. Latino Leadership Fellowship; Adjunct Faculty at Coro Northern California; Rockwood Leadership Institute; Board member of Spy Hop Productions, Vesper Society, Harvard Latino Alumni Alliance, SF LGBT Community Center

Education

B.A. in Politics from University of San Francisco (finalist for valedictorian); Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School (focus on meditation, mindfulness, and leadership); Institute for International Public Policy Fellowship; Coro Fellows Program in Public Affairs

Key Issues & Priorities

*Affordable housing and tenant protection
*Safe streets and well-maintained infrastructure
*Access to green spaces
*Thriving local businesses and small business support
*Transparent and accountable city government
*Immigrant rights
*Worker rights
*LGBTQ+ community support

Endorsements

LGBTQ+ Victory Fund
LPAC
Democratic Municipal Officials
NewPolitics
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 3
Salt Lake City Firefighters Local 81
Stewardship Utah
Mayor Erin Mendenhall
Council Members Chris Wharton
Sarah Young
Victoria Petro
Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson
Former Congressman Ben McAdams
County Council Member Ross Romero

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