The members of the Salt Lake County Council have selected Aimee Winder Newton to serve as chair of the County Council for 2026. Serving on the County Council since 2014, Chair Winder Newton represents District 3 which contains portions of Midvale, Murray, Taylorsville, West Jordan, and West Valley. The council chair coordinates with the county mayor and other independent elected officials to plan the body’s weekly meetings and provides direction on the day-to-day functions of the council staff.
“I’m honored to have been chosen by my colleagues to serve as Chair of the Salt Lake County Council,” said Salt Lake County Council Chair Winder Newton. “Criminal justice reform will be a top priority this year and I look forward to working with my colleagues to move this important work forward.”
Joining Winder Newton in the 2026 leadership team are: District 5 Council Member Sheldon Stewart as council vice chair; District 6 Council Member Dea Theodore as council chair pro tempore; and District 1 Council Member Jiro Johnson as minority leader of the Democratic caucus.
“I’m excited to be named the new Minority Leader of the Salt Lake County Democratic Caucus,” said Salt Lake County Council Member Jiro Johnson. “I look forward to working with Mayor Wilson to advance priorities in economic strategy and criminal justice, and to collaborating with my colleagues to deliver excellent public service.”
About the Salt Lake County Council:
The Salt Lake County Council is the nine-member legislative branch of Salt Lake County government. The Council is comprised of six members elected by districts serving four-year terms and three members elected countywide to at-large seats serving six-year terms. The Council sets the County’s policy direction through its role in passing ordinances and allocating resources through approval of the County budget. The Council holds its regular meetings each Tuesday at the Salt Lake County Government Center at 2001 South State Street in Salt Lake City. For more information, visit saltlakecounty.gov/council
