Michelle Kaufusi, a Republican and Provo's 45th mayor, is running for Utah County Commission Seat A in the Nov. 3 general election.

Kaufusi faces Jacob D. Oaks, an Independent American candidate, and Democratic candidate Jeanne Bowen in the three-way race.

Candidate information

  • Party: Republican
  • Education: Bachelor of science in geography, Brigham Young University
  • Primary path: Kaufusi said she did not secure the nomination at the Utah County convention but qualified for the June 23 Republican primary through the candidate petition process and won that primary.

Experience and public service

Kaufusi was the first female mayor in Provo's history, according to her Wikipedia biography. BallotReady lists her mayoral tenure as beginning in 2017. She served as a board member on the Provo City School Board. She also ran for lieutenant governor in 2020.

On the issues

The following positions are drawn from the DOERS Network's endorsement page for Kaufusi. They reflect statements attributed to the endorsing organization, not direct candidate questionnaire responses.

Government efficiency and fiscal responsibility

The DOERS Network said Kaufusi's approach as mayor focused on delivering results while respecting taxpayers. The organization said she streamlined operations, improved service delivery and made decisions based on data and outcomes. It credited her with balancing complex budgets year after year.

Public safety

The endorsement described public safety as Kaufusi's top priority as mayor and said it would remain so on the commission. The organization said she worked closely with police, fire and emergency services to ensure reliable service while remaining fiscally responsible.

Capital planning and transportation

The DOERS Network said Kaufusi secured over $300 million in outside funding for Provo through disciplined planning and intergovernmental relationships. The organization said the county's rapid growth requires a commissioner who plans strategically.

Endorsements

The following endorsement was identified through reviewed sources:

  • Utah County Regional Advisory Board, DOERS Network, which credited Kaufusi with nearly a decade of executive leadership as mayor and said her record earned Provo national recognition for quality of life and fiscal responsibility. (Source: DOERS Network)

This profile was compiled from publicly available sources, candidate social media statements and endorsement materials. It is not based on a direct interview. Profiles of other candidates in this race are published separately.