Jackie Biskupski will take on Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker in this year’s general election. At last check, the former state legislator captured 46 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s primary.
Biskupski says she was in disbelief Tuesday night; surprised to be leading two-term incumbent Mayor Ralph Becker by more than 4,000 votes.
“But, I also can see that my message around the issues and my vision for the future is being embraced by the voters,” Biskupski says.
In the 12 weeks leading up to the general election Biskupski says she plans to focus on her platform, which includes new plans for economic development, fighting crime and drugs, homelessness and transportation.
She’s criticized Becker for how he handled substantiated sexual harassment complaints within the Salt Lake City Police Department that ended in Police Chief Chris Burbank’s resignation. She says he’s also shown poor leadership in dealing with homelessness and opposing the relocation of the state prison to Salt Lake City.
Mayor Ralph Becker says his campaign to secure a third-term now begins in earnest.
“We’ve hardly spent any of our money and we do have a good campaign account to work from and we’re planning to spend it,” he says.
Becker says during his time in office the city has seen economic growth, a revitalized downtown and he’s worked toward equality for all residents. He says he’ll continue efforts to protect air quality as well as water quality and natural areas through the Mountain Accord.
The final results of the primary will be revealed in the coming weeks.
The general election is November 3rd.
