The first woman elected as Sandy’s mayor will be running for a second term in 2025. 

Mayor Monica Zoltanski, the city’s 27th mayor in its 132-year history, recently announced her reelection campaign, highlighting the important era Sandy finds itself. 

“Sandy is at a moment of economic renaissance,” Zoltanski, a former Sandy City prosecutor with experience in business and public advocacy, wrote in her announcement press release. “This is our time to think big with our people empowered and at the center of key decisions for our future.” 

The press release pointed to Zoltanski’s first term as proof of her leadership skills with a new fire station, a new operations fleet maintenance facility for public works that will open this July and commence a rebuild of the aging Alta Canyon Sports Recreation Center.

“I offer proven leadership and successful collaboration necessary to join our residents, businesses, government leaders, and our invaluable city employees to work together to complete major growth projects and plan for even more ahead. Sandy has a reputation for excellence in all we do. My Number One Goal is keeping Sandy a safe, thriving, connected community we’re proud to call home,” she wrote.

While Zoltanski seeks her second term, she’ll be challenged by Councilmember Cyndi Sharkey.

Sharkey has served on the council since 2020 when she was elected to her at-large seat on the council and then won reelection in 2024. 

Sharkey, who has worked in corporate leadership in the IT industry before opening her own executive recruiting practice, outlined her three priorities as safe neighborhoods, parks and open space and low taxes. 

According to her campaign website, Sharkey states why she’s running for mayor is an easy question to answer. 

“I love Sandy and respect the residents, employees, and businesses who’ve made it into the great community in which we live, work, and play,” she wrote. “From safe neighborhoods and beautiful parks; to recreation, entertainment, shopping and dining; to thriving employment, great schools, and engaged residents; we have all the elements for a prosperous and enjoyable quality of life in Sandy City.”

She pointed to her experience on the city’s planning commission and city council as preparation for the mayoral role. “My understanding of municipal organization, policy, budgets and practices gives me a valuable perspective. I broadly and thoroughly consider all issues before me, contemplating all viewpoints before rendering a decision. I’m known for persistently asking questions and collecting data.”

As of press time, those were the two who had announced their candidacy.

Three other council seats will be up for election this year. District 1, currently occupied by Ryan Mecham, is the westernmost area of the city, running along most of 700 East and north to approximately 8500 South. 

District 3, currently held by Zach Robinson, covers the northwest portion of the city, east of approximately 1700 East, north of Dimple Dell up to Creek Road. 

Sandy has seven council seats with four districts and three at-large seats. One of those at-large seats, currently held by Brooke D’Souza, will be up for reelection this year. District seats represent specific areas while at-large seats represent the entire city. 

The 2025 election will look very different to the last time these four were elected in 2021 when Sandy ran its elections through ranked choice voting where voters rank the candidates until a majority is reached for the winner. 

Mecham defeated Katie Johnson in 2021 by less than 100 votes after two rounds (the third candidate was eliminated after the first round). Robinson’s victory lasted one round as he accumulated 52% of the vote. D’Souza’s race featured six candidates and lasted five rounds with her emerging by about 700 votes. 

The mayoral seat was the most tightly contested as Zoltanski nosed ahead of seven other candidates to win election by 21 votes. 

Sandy will return to the traditional voting method this year, the election will be held Nov. 4 and, if necessary, a primary will be held Aug. 12. 

Anyone interested in filing for candidacy must do so in person with the city recorder office at Sandy City Hall (10000 S. Centennial Parkway) between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. between June 2-6. λ