Along with the holidays, the November municipal elections have come and gone. Herriman reelected its mayor, two unopposed incumbents and a brand new face for District 3’s city council seat. Terms for recently elected officials begin this month, and all newly elected positions will conclude in 2030, with the exception of District 4, which held a special election for its city council seat. 

Mayoral candidate Ty Brady focused on public safety, sustainable development, education and family during his campaign. (Photo courtesy Herriman City)

Mayor: Ty Brady and Lorin Palmer

Mayoral challenger and businessman Ty Brady went toe-to-toe with victor Mayor Lorin Palmer. A Herriman resident for eight years, Brady founded Brady Insurance Marketing to assist entrepreneurs. His campaign focused on public safety, sustainable development and education. The self-proclaimed “proud family man” touted his hard work, integrity, transparency and faith. Brady garnered 2,267 votes, or 24.77%.

Herriman’s mayor for the past four years and the next four, Palmer describes himself as a stay-at-home dad when he’s not fulfilling civic responsibilities. “I’m really grateful to the residents of Herriman for trusting me with another term. It means a lot, and I don’t take that responsibility lightly,” he said. “I’m excited for the chance to serve one more term. I love this community and I’m ready to keep working hard for the people who call Herriman home.”

Incumbent Mayor Lorin Palmer was reelected in Herriman’s municipal election last year. (Photo courtesy Herriman City)

Palmer has lived in the city for 12 years and feels that under his leadership, critical infrastructure is keeping up with growth, outdoor recreation has expanded, traffic issues are being addressed and sales tax revenue is up with new retail businesses on the way.

“We’ve accomplished a lot, but there’s still plenty of work to do… bringing in more businesses and job centers so residents can work closer to home, investing in the infrastructure…, and pushing key projects across the finish line—like the new athletic complex, another commercial center in Olympia, and the continued expansion of our foothill trail system,” he said. “I’m excited to work with our new council and keep that energy going… while bringing fresh ideas to help Herriman grow in the right way.” 

Palmer received 6,884 votes, or 75.23%.

District 1’s Jared Henderson’s current term ends in 2028. District 1 was the only district without a candidate on November’s ballot. (Photo courtesy Herriman City)

District 1 City Council: Jared Henderson retains his seat until 2028

Reelected in 2023, District 1’s Jared Henderson did not run in November as his term, which began in 2024, does not conclude until 2028.

District 2 City Council: Teddy Hodges, unopposed 

Sixteen-year resident Teddy Hodges, who ran unopposed for District 2’s city council seat, received 1,959 votes, or 100%. "The next four years will be focused on capitalizing on the incredible momentum we have established,” he said. “We have a cohesive and talented city council, and I'm confident we will continue to be a leader in Salt Lake County for quality of life and smart governance."

Teddy Hodges ran unopposed for his District 2 council seat. (Photo courtesy Herriman City)

A city council member since 2021, Hodges stated via his campaign bio that “he ran for council because he did not like the direction the city was heading and wanted to help where he saw a need.”

The owner of a solar power company, he also dresses as Santa Claus for Herriman Christmas events. 

 "I'm genuinely excited to welcome Terrah Andersen and Matt Basham to the city council. 

It's a testament to the strength of our community when such talented individuals step up and dedicate themselves to public service," Hodges said. "Our economic development momentum is stronger than ever. The number of new businesses choosing to call Herriman home is a reflection of our city's vitality, and this growth will bring more local job opportunities and essential services closer to our residents."

District 3’s Sherrie Ohrn did not seek reelection after serving on the city council from 2022 to 2026. (Photo courtesy Herriman City)

District 3’s Sherrie Ohrn bids farewell

District 3’s incumbent, Sherrie Ohrn, did not seek reelection. “I’m really grateful for Sherrie Ohrn and the eight years she gave to serving Herriman. She helped build a lot of the momentum we’re feeling today,” Palmer said.  

"I'd like to express thanks to Sherrie Ohrn for all of her tremendous work on the city council,” District 4’s City Councilmember Terrah Anderson said.

“To outgoing Councilmember Sherrie Ohrn, thank you for your eight years of service to our community,” District 3’s new Councilmember Matt Basham said. “I’ve had the opportunity over the last year to closely watch you at work. You were always prepared and up to speed on the matters before the council and represented us well.”

District 3 city council candidate Heather Garcia spent six years working on Herriman’s Planning Commission. (Photo courtesy Herriman City)

District 3 City Council: Heather Garcia and Matt Basham

The District 3 race was much closer compared to  others as newcomers Heather Garcia and Matt Basham sparred for Ohrn’s seat. Garcia, who ultimately yielded to Basham, spent six years on Herriman’s Planning Commission prior to throwing her hat into the ring for the city council. 

“With 15 years of leadership in operations, an MBA, and a degree in Political Science focused on public policy, I know how to balance budgets, solve problems and make informed decisions,” she stated in her campaign bio. 

“I would like to sincerely thank Heather Garcia for an excellent race,” Basham said. “She truly loves Herriman and has demonstrated her dedication through years of service to our community on the Planning Commission. Her voice and perspective are valuable to our city.” 

Garcia drew 1,197 votes, or 43.06%.

The city council’s only fresh face this year, Basham owns four small businesses and has degrees in both business and information technology. “I am excited to work with Mayor Palmer and Councilmembers Henderson, Hodges and Anderson to keep the trajectory Herriman has enjoyed over the last four years… [and] ensure that Herriman remains one of the best places to live, work and raise our families,” he said.

Matt Basham won November’s race for District 3’s city council seat. (Photo courtesy Herriman City)

Outside of his council duties, Basham works as a public insurance adjuster. “I built my career in insurance claims adjusting, developing problem-solving abilities,” he said in his campaign bio. His platform promoted single-family housing and economic development, fiscal responsibility and support for public safety. 

“I am honored that District 3 residents have elected me to serve as their next city council member,” Basham said. “I look forward to working on the issues that I heard from you that matter most: Protecting single-family neighborhoods, maintaining the level of public safety we enjoy, strengthening our economic development and providing opportunities for community engagement.” 

Basham earned 1,583 votes, or 56.94%.

Special election for District 4 City Council: Terrah Anderson, unopposed

District 4’s unopposed incumbent candidate, Terrah Anderson, will serve for two years rather than four. “The special election for District 4 will fill the remaining two years of the former council member's term, which became vacant after a mid-term resignation,” the city said on its website. 

Terrah Anderson was appointed by the city council in May to replace Steven Shields. In November, she won her seat unopposed for the remaining two years of Shield’s term. (Photo courtesy Herriman City)

Councilman Steven Shields resigned last year after he and his family moved to Texas, and Anderson was appointed by the council to replace him through 2025. Anderson’s original opponent in November, Scott Hatfield, withdrew.

“I'm excited to work with the new council. We have a variety of backgrounds, skills and interests, but we all care a lot about Herriman!” Anderson said. “Herriman has exciting times coming up in the next few years with opportunities to increase economic development, strengthen our community, plan for the future and make the most of our current opportunities. I look forward to continuing to meet with residents to better understand concerns, answer questions and work together to solve problems.”

Anderson has a master’s degree in public administration, works for the Governor’s Office of Planning and Budget, has worked in state government for over seven years and volunteered with the Herriman Planning Commission for two years. In her campaign, she emphasized community engagement, fiscal responsibility, long-range planning and economic development. She received 1,431 votes, or 100%.

The city hopes that voter turnout will continue to increase in future municipal elections. (Photo courtesy Herriman City)

The city hoped more voters would participate in the election but recognizes that the number who did cast their ballots last year marks an improvement. 

“Thank you to everyone who participated in making their voice count in this month's local election. With a 31.4% voter turnout, there was a 5.4% increase compared to the previous mayoral election in 2021,” the city’s Instagram page said in November. “This is also a 7.9% increase in voter turnout compared to the average participation in the last four Herriman municipal elections.”

“It is an improvement and a trend we hope to see moving forward as you, the residents of Herriman, choose your representation to make decisions and influence various aspects closer to home,” the city said on its website.