Tom Merrill

for Salt Lake County Council District One

Hi, I’m Tom Merrill

I’m an unapologetic champion of Salt Lake

And I’d like to serve as your next
County Council Member in District One.

Tom’s objectives

  • Shape our Own Future

    We must shape our own future by uniting city, county, and state Democratic leaders to resist any attempt to divert focus from the priorities we’ve chosen for ourselves as a community.

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    Build Community as We Grow

    We must build community as we grow and activate the Democratic voter base. We need more than just votes - we need civically engaged leaders in every neighborhood. All hands on deck!


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    Put Our Families First

    We must put our families first in decision making. If Salt Lake works for families, it works for everyone - including visitors, workers, and businesses.

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Why I’m running

Our corner of Salt Lake County is many things to many people— but to those of us that live here, it's first and foremost our home.

Unfortunately, many of the politicians and billionaires trying to shape our future have little connection to the communities that shaped Salt Lake’s past.

I was raised downtown by a conservative, single mother of four who insisted on homeschooling her children to shield them from the “big city.” Decades later, I am raising my own children downtown— this is our home!

As your council member, I am committed to ensuring that we shape our own future—by uniting city, county, and state Democratic leaders to resist any attempt to divert focus from the priorities we’ve chosen for ourselves as a community.

Second, we must build community as we grow and activate the Democratic voter base. We need more than just votes - we need civically engaged leaders in every neighborhood. All hands on deck!

Most importantly, the County must put our families first in decision making. If Salt Lake works for families, it works for everyone - including visitors, workers, and businesses.

Who I am

I am a true son of Salt Lake City. I was raised in the Central 9th neighborhood by a single mother of four who moved here to be closer to the religion that took her in as a Texas teenager. To shield us from the influence of the “big city,” my mom chose to homeschool us - urban farm and all - in the middle of downtown. My upbringing was very unique, but I’m deeply grateful for the role it played in shaping who I’ve become.

Decades later, I’m raising my own family downtown, and we absolutely love it.  

I currently serve as President of the American Towers residential community and until recently, as the Chair of the Downtown Community Council. Advocating for residents in our urban core has been at the heart of my public service and I want to continue that as your County Council representative. 

By day, I am the founder and principal of a healthcare policy advisory firm headquartered here in Salt Lake City. For more than 15 years, I’ve worked with healthcare institutions and governments to understand and pursue opportunities for health reform. 

The experience I bring from working across all levels of government strengthens my resolve to fight for our local control and protect our democratic voice.

Please join me for Salt Lake’s greatest chapter yet!

Media

What others have to say…

  • “Tom's understated superpower is how he credibly brings multiple perspectives to any issue. He listens to understand and speaks to foster connection."

    Tarah Nujar Bryan, President, Utah HIMSS

  • “Tom has positive energy, extending from the boardroom to the encampments for our unsheltered relatives. He is a patient, effective organizer, with the ability and desire to connect with the diverse community."

    Mickie Hunter, Chair of the SLC Downtown Community Council 

  • “Tom was the driving force behind the creation of Redstone. He wanted to bring national health policy expertise to Utah and Salt Lake in particular. He understands the city-county-state health policy landscape and has deep respect for the public health agencies that keep our citizens healthy.”

    Paul Gardner, Redstone Health (co-founder)

  • “In our work as board colleagues, I have observed Tom’s ability to listen to a wide range of voices and turn complex needs into thoughtful, priority-driven action. His back-to-back reelection as HOA president of downtown’s largest residential community is a testament to his skilled and effective leadership.”

    Edith Johnson, American Towers