WHO IS YOUR CANDIDATE? Ogden Voters to Decide On Mayoral and Council Candidates Who Will Shape the City’s Future
A VOTING GUIDE TO OGDEN’S 2023 PRIMARY ELECTION ON SEPTEMBER 5
Mayoral campaign signs posted around Ogden.
The projected turnout for the 2023 primary election in Ogden is 25-30%, according to weberelections.gov. Yet, decisions made by local elected officials impact the daily lives of Ogdenites, especially in the next few years as Ogden continues to see rapid growth and development—the Make Ogden project, zoning and development code updates, and other special projects are underway. This year, Ogden elects a new mayor and city council members who will directly shape the future of Ogden. The primary election gives voters the chance to select which candidates are on the ballot for the general election.
All registered voters will receive a ballot in the mail (local elections are non-partisan) by August 20 for the primary election. Ballots for the general election on November 21 will be received by November 10.
2023 PRIMARY ELECTION
What’s on the ballot?
If you are already registered to vote, track your ballot, and then get a sample ballot by clicking on ‘learn about the candidates and the issues’ on the right sidebar.
The open positions in this election are the office of Ogden City Mayor, Ogden City Council districts 2, 4, and one at-large seat.
THE CANDIDATES
MAYOR (information obtained from weberelections.gov)
Ben Nadolski
Ogden resident: 26 years
Age: 46
Email: ben4ogden@gmail.com
Occupation: Regional Supervisor at Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
“After playing football at Weber State and graduating with a degree in Law Enforcement, Ben Nadolski was jumping from helicopters and wrestling elk for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR). Ben has worked as a Policy Analyst and Legislative Liaison for the DWR, as well as the Governor's Public Lands Policy Coordinating Office. Throughout his career, he has built partnerships to develop and implement natural resource policies while balancing Utah's socioeconomic interests. As a river restoration expert, Ben was instrumental in the inception and implementation of the Ogden River Restoration Project which created a surge in recreational use and community and economic development for the city. A two-term member of the Ogden City Council, Ben has worked to enhance opportunities for Ogden's youth and led the funding and development of the Untamed Youth Sport Program. As Chair in 2022, Ben leveraged his leadership role and his commitment to the citizens of Ogden to secure funding guarantees for the Marshall White Center, while meeting the community desires to maintain its current location. Ben moved to Ogden in 1997 from Phoenix, Ariz., with a fishing and hunting addiction. He and his wife, Jaynee, have two daughters, Hazel (13) and Millie (12).”
Oscar Landon Mata
Ogden resident: 15 years
Age: 29
Email: oscar@friendsofoscarmata.com
Occupation: Dean of Students at Davinci Academy
“Ogden deserves a leader who knows our community inside out. As the Dean of Students at my alma mater, DaVinci Academy, and as the founder of a substance abuse treatment center that has helped over 15,000 Utahns - including 5,000 of Ogden’s own - I bring a unique perspective and proven commitment to our community. I'm determined to work towards a livable Ogden that harmonizes growth and preservation, advocating for safe neighborhoods and robust opportunities for our families and small businesses. My experience has instilled a deep understanding of our community's needs and the strategies required to fulfill them. I'm not asking for just your vote, but for your trust in my dedication and ability to lead us into a brighter future. A future where Ogden is a bastion of safety, opportunity, and thriving community life that cherishes its past and confidently steps into the future. Join me in this journey. Together, we can shape a vibrant, prosperous Ogden that we all can be proud to call home. Let's make a difference, together.”
Taylor Knuth
Ogden resident: 12 years
Age: 30
Email: taylor@taylor4ogden.com
Occupation: Economic Development, Arts & Culture
“Taylor Knuth was raised by a single mom, who often worked two jobs to support her four kids. Raised in challenging circumstances without a present father and with a hardworking mother, the prospect of college, homeownership, let alone public office, seemed distant. Nevertheless, the unwavering support and strength of the community showed Taylor what was possible. Ogden is the city that built Taylor. Now, Taylor is running for Mayor of Ogden to get back to the basics of good government: community, connection, and character. He believes that local government works best when community is at its center and that is what Taylor aims to do. Taylor's public service began as the Community Services and Engagement Director at United Way of Northern Utah. Taylor also raised funds for Ogden's oldest non-profit, Onstage Ogden, and served as a Development Director at Weber State, securing millions for these organizations while completing a Master's degree at SUU. Currently, he is the Deputy Director of Economic Development for Salt Lake City and is pursuing a doctoral degree at the University of Utah. Taylor Knuth lives in a renovated 132-year-old Victorian home in Ogden with his husband Sean, and their rescue pets: George, Ted, and Tina.”
Jon J. Greiner
Ogden resident: 70 years
Age: 72
Email: jonforogden@gmail.com
Occupation: Retired
“I am running for Mayor of Ogden City and my primary focus is to improve the quality of life for Ogden citizens. We are an old city that has improved dramatically over the last 30 years, sometimes at the expense of our infrastructure. My passions are focused on the education of our youth, providing the best city services, investing in the future and preserving our heritage. I come from a multi-generational Greiner household that has always lived in Ogden. I was born, raised, and educated in OGDEN city schools through university. As a product of the Ogden village, I have enjoyed forty-three years as an Ogden City employee. Thirty-eight years as a police officer, sixteen of which as it’s Chief. I also spent five years as the Ogden Airport Manager. Ancillary to this service, I have also served my country for twenty-two years as an Army Reserve officer, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel. Another opportunity to serve came in the service of being a Utah State Senator for four years. It is with deep sense of humility that I look forward, to the potential opportunity, in serving as the Mayor of this great city.”
Bart E. Blair
Ogden resident: 50 years
Age: 50
Email: votebartblair@gmail.com
Occupation: Owner of Blair’s Service Center
“I am proud to be a lifelong Ogden resident. I was born and raised in Ogden, graduated from Ogden High and Weber State University. My family goes back generations here in Ogden, and it is a privilege to be part of a legacy with more than 60 years of experience servicing our friends and neighbors at Blair's Service Center. It has also been so rewarding to raise my three daughters here in this wonderful community. I was always raised to give back and serve the community. That is one reason I decided to serve on the city council. Serving as an Ogden City Councilmember has been one of the greatest honors of my life. With these experiences, along with a desire to see Ogden reach new heights, I have decided to run for Mayor of Ogden City.”
Ogden resident: 6 years
Age: 54
Email: angel4ogden@gmail.com
Occupation: Small business owner (marketing)
“My name is Angel Castillo, and I am running for Ogden mayor. I have been passionately serving our community in various capacities, including as a former Ogden Planning Commissioner and active member of charitable boards and state committees. I am a small business owner of a marketing company and a pursuing my MC-MPA at the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Since 2018 I have attended every city council meeting/work session, praising our successes while holding our elected officials accountable. I share in the concerns voiced by our community such as inflation, housing costs, and taxes, and I wholeheartedly believe that it is time for a government that prioritizes our freedoms and works for us.
We work hard and deserve clean air, water, and a place to call home. As mayor, I commit to developing affordable homes at $250k and helping 120 hardworking residents own those homes by 2025.
We need to control our budget, use city property for affordable home ownership, and stop funding corporate welfare for a select few developers.
Together, we’ll rewrite the rules to hold government accountable; a fair Ogden for ALL.
Join me on September 5th, and vote Angel Castillo for Ogden mayor.
Let's do this.”
Chris Barragan
Ogden resident: 10 years
Age: 46
Email: chris@barragan4ogden.com
Occupation: Small business owner (Brookey Bakes)
“As mayor of Ogden, I intend to unify and uplift our awesome community. I believe we need a leader who is lively and present, who is fresh and engaged, and who is constantly listening to our city. I believe we need a leader who has already given tirelessly to supporting Ogden’s youth, families, and members of our community, and someone who is filled with enough energy, vision and love to keep on doing that. I believe we need a leader with decades of experience, as well as rich, warm relationships throughout our city and across our state. I believe we need a leader who is anchored in Ogden, who represents all the facets of our diverse community, and who truly has Ogden’s best interests at heart. I believe I’m that leader! Chris Barragan, present for Ogden’s future.”
CITY COUNCIL AT LARGE C
Shaun Myers
John H Thompson
Lara Gale
J. Levi Andersen
CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 2
CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 4
Austin Raymond
Dave Graf
Alexander Castagno
Steven Van Wagoner
Sebastian Benitez
WAYS TO VOTE
By mail: must be postmarked by September 5.
In person: The Weber Center 2380 Washington Blvd. Ogden 84401
Secure Ballot Dropbox: all city offices, county libraries & Weber State University.
DEADLINES
August 15: Ballots are mailed to all active voters. Track your ballot here.
August 25: Last day to register to receive a mail-in ballot. Last day to register for the primary election.
August 29: In-person voting begins. Go to The Weber Center 2380 Washington Blvd., Ogden
Tuesday, Aug. 29, 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 30, 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 31, 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Friday, Sep. 1, 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Sep. 5, 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
September 5: Primary Voting Day. Last day of in-person voting. Polls close at 8 p.m. Vote in person here: The Weber Center 2380 Washington Blvd. Ogden 84401
List of ballot drop-box locations here.
November 10: Last day to register for the general election.
Register to vote or update registration here.
