Representing Richmond: 2024 Election

L-R: Matt Funk, Jason Thompson, David Erickson, Jon-David Jorgensen.

 

Discloser: My intent in making this article is to inform the citizens of Richmond and the surrounding area about who is running for local elections. This is not to persuade people to vote for a specific person.

The 2024 Election is just around the corner with some running for county seats while some running for the House of Representatives. Here is what Richmond has to offer to represent our small city.

Matt Funk - County Auditor

'Funk' is one of the most recognizable names in Richmond's history, with men and women who have helped this small community since their pioneer arrival in 1860. Matt has a vast resume of personal traits along with an extensive family historical resume.

KVNU’s For the People program recently featured Matt Funk, a candidate for Cache County Auditor. The Cache County Council has recently split the roles of the auditor and the county clerk, which had been combined for many years. Funk, a lifelong Cache Valley resident and Certified Public Accountant with over 20 years of experience explained his motivation to run for the auditor's office. He cited significant financial mismanagement in the county, as revealed by two audits conducted last year—one by the state auditor's office and another commissioned by the county council. These audits uncovered issues such as fraud, illegal raises, weak internal controls, and poor contract management, potentially costing taxpayers nearly a million dollars in lost state funding.

Funk emphasized that he is the only candidate not currently involved with county administration, which he believes gives him a unique, unbiased perspective. He is committed to fixing the problems identified in the audits and restoring fiscal integrity. His platform includes implementing an effective internal audit regimen, returning the county to professional standards of documentation and controls, thoroughly reviewing procurement practices for compliance, and restoring accountability to all county financial processes.

Funk highlighted the critical need for transparency and accountability in government. He pointed out that forensic audits found instances of significant misappropriation of funds, including an unauthorized redirection of over $350,000 of taxpayer money. He argued that new, professionally qualified leadership is essential to prevent such issues in the future. Funk believes his extensive experience as a Certified Public Accountant and former Justice Court Judge equips him to bring the necessary changes to the office of Cache County Auditor.

Jason Thompson - Utah House of Representatives

In the early days of the 2024 political campaign season, notable developments have occurred. Dan Johnson, Logan's long-serving representative in the Utah Legislature, announced on January 2 that he will not seek re-election. In response, former Cache County Council member Paul Borup immediately declared his candidacy for Johnson's District 3 seat in the Utah House. However, Johnson endorsed River Heights Mayor Jason Thompson as his preferred successor, emphasizing Thompson's passion and dedication to public service.

Thompson accepted the endorsement and announced his intention to run for the District 3 seat. He highlighted his experience as mayor and as a father and husband, which he believes gives him a unique perspective on community and family challenges. Johnson, an educator and administrator for over 50 years, has been influential in the Utah House since his election in 2018, particularly on education and various community issues. He expressed pride in his service and a desire for a new generation of leaders to continue the work.

Thompson has committed to investing in the community and creating lasting positive change, urging public support to build a legacy together.

Learn more about what Jason has in mind at his website: https://www.electjasonthompson.com/issues1

David Erickson vs Jon-David Jorgensen - Cache County Council

David Erickson, who oversees the north district of Cache County on the Cache County Council, announced his re-election campaign on KVNU’s For the People program. This year marks 10 years that Erickson has been in the Cache County Council. Erickson discussed the challenges of managing growth in areas like Smithfield and Richmond, noting that water resource development often limits expansion. He emphasized that while growth is significant, it is primarily the responsibility of individual cities to manage their development policies, such as housing styles and rental percentages.

Erickson stated that cities should control their growth from within, expanding outwards, as maintaining county pockets of development is costly. He believes that cities are better suited to handle recreational needs for their residents, including parks and recreation centers, as the county does not have a recreation department.

Erickson's challenger for the council seat is Jon-David Jorgensen, who also appeared on the same program earlier in the week. He rode a wave of anti-incumbent sentiment during the Cache Republican Nominating Convention in April. Jorgensen described widespread frustration among delegates regarding current county management, noting that many described the situation as a "mess." He emphasized the need for improved public engagement, advocating for a public comment period at the beginning of council meetings to ensure residents' voices are heard.

Jorgensen highlighted key issues such as growth management and planning, specifically mentioning the proposed western bypass. He also expressed opposition to offering incentives to businesses to move into Cache Valley, preferring a more conservative approach that avoids picking winners and losers in the economy. Jorgensen believes in leveraging Cache Valley’s strong economy and workforce without subsidizing businesses.

Erickson and Jorgensen could not be physically more opposite of each other. Erickson is a farmer who lives near Richmond, while Jorgensen is a white-collar employee with no info on whether he lives in the area he plans to represent. Erickson has been in the council for over 10 years, while Jorgensen has never held public office. Furthermore, Erickson is a little more senior in age than Jorgensen.

Whatever the outcome may be, Richmond, these are your options on who you would like to represent you from the County to the halls of Capital Hill.