MURRAY — Popular Mayor Dan Snarr will face an election challenge from nine-year Murray City Councilwoman Krista Dunn, who announced her candidacy in a press conference Tuesday.

The two will face off this fall in a fight to lead the quiet midvalley city.

Snarr, a local developer and small-business owner, has held the mayoral post since 1998. Known for his handlebar moustache and dry sense of humor, Snarr has recently received praise for an energy sustainability project at the Trans-Jordan Landfill. He also helped establish "Murray Auto Row" and has overseen the redevelopment of various business properties around the city.

If elected, Dunn hopes to continue in economic-development projects, but she wants to focus more on neighborhoods than Snarr has, she said.

Dunn hopes to use redevelopment agency money to make low-interest loans to people hoping to fix up their aging properties, she said. The councilwoman would also use tax-increment funds to help new homeowners locate within the city, she said.

Dunn was a high school coach and teacher for 10 years and has also spent a decade as the grants manager for the Salt Lake City Police Department. She serves as the City Council's budget chairwoman.

"There are very few cities that have the feeling of community that Murray has," Dunn wrote in a press release. "Elect Krista Dunn for mayor, and keep that Murray feeling alive."

So far, only Snarr and Dunn have announced mayoral candidacy. However, the filing deadline is not until July 15.

— Rebecca Palmer