Mayor of Salt Lake City won’t seek 2nd term

SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski today announced she will not be seeking a 2nd term in office.  Biskupski today tweeted that her commitment to family and her role as mayor take priority over that of being a candidate.

“My wife, Betty and I have been faced with a serious and complex family situation,” the mayor wrote. “As parents we have and will always put the needs of our children first.”

My commitment to my family and my role as Mayor must be my top priorities over being a candidate. For this reason I have just told my staff that I will be withdrawing from the 2019 race. It has been an honor serving and I look forward to the next 9 month. https://t.co/S45FaUHDTa

— Mayor J. Biskupski (@slcmayor) March 18, 2019

Biskupski said she has fought to legally have her family throughout her personal and professional life, and that her family’s situation will require what she called an “all hands on deck” approach.

Biskupski’s full statement was posted to the city government website.

Several other candidates have entered the race, including fellow Democrats Jim Dabakis, businessman David Ibarra, and council member David Garbett.

Dabakis tweeted out admiration for Biskupski after news broke she would not seek re-election. He described her as a trailblazer when she served as Utah’s first openly gay legislator.

Jackie out for Mayor. Everyone remember how much grace and aplomb she acted with as first lesbian LGBTQ legislator. Some pompous lawmakers refused to shake her hand. Thanks trailblazer Jackie. #utpol

— Jim Dabakis (@JimDabakis) March 18, 2019

Biskupski was expected to speak at a news conference later in the afternoon.

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