Mike Winder officially a candidate for Salt Lake County mayor

SALT LAKE CITY — Saying Salt Lake County needs to behave more like a regional government rather than a local municipality, Mike Winder officially announced his candidacy for county mayor Tuesday.

Winder, now in his third year as mayor of West Valley City, becomes the sixth candidate to officially enter the race to replace Mayor Peter Corroon, who opted not to seek a third term.

"Salt Lake County is a wonderful place, and we're looking to make it better," he said.

Winder, who describes himself as a limited-government conservative, said he believes residents of Salt Lake County would be better served if the county were more focused on regional duties rather than competing with city governments.

"I believe that the government closest to the people is the government that governs best," he said. "I believe in cities."

Winder, a former president of the Utah League of Cities and Towns, said he would like to phase out townships in the county and help them either incorporate into cities or join a neighboring municipality.

"As a student of history, I believe that colonies eventually become countries, the territories eventually become states and the unincorporated areas eventually become cities and get to determine their own destinies," he said.

Winder also said he believes Salt Lake County needs to be doing more with economic development. He cited economic development successes during his time as mayor, four years on the West Valley City Council and four years as the city's business development director as evidence that he can accomplish that.

In the past two years, West Valley City has created 3,000 new jobs, Winder said. The mayor also has worked with his city government colleagues on the redevelopment of the Valley Fair Mall and the launch of the $500 million Fairbourne Station project.

"I believe in economic development," he said. "I believe in job creation. I believe in helping the small-business man or woman fulfill their dreams and grow and create jobs."

As a show of support for small businesses, Winder made his announcement Tuesday at Frida Bistro in the heart of Salt Lake City's warehouse district.