State Senate District 13 in Utah State Senate District 13, Utah

2026 Primary Election

• Colin Smith — Candidate for State Senate in UT

  Colin Smith is a candidate for the Utah State Senate, representing District 13, in the 2026 election. He is running under the Utah Forward Party. Smith officially launched his campaign with a kickoff party, aiming to connect with supporters, share his vision and goals, and foster a people-powered movement. He advanced to the general election without appearing on the primary ballot, having secured his party's nomination through convention. He will face Republican Ryan L. Mahoney in the general election. His campaign emphasizes building what's next for Utah.

• Ryan L. Mahoney — Central Region Chair, SLCoGOP in UT

  Ryan L. Mahoney is the Republican nominee for Utah State Senate District 13 in the 2026 election, securing unanimous party support to advance from the convention. He currently serves as the Central Region Chair for the Salt Lake County Republican Party. Mahoney advocates for responsible leadership focused on Utah residents. He publicly opposes the proposed Little Cottonwood Canyon gondola project, citing its fiscally irresponsible $1.4 billion taxpayer cost that would burden families statewide. Mahoney seeks to represent his district, expressing gratitude for community encouragement and trust in his commitment to public service.

• Richard T. Whitney — Candidate for State Senate in Millcreek, UT

  Richard T. Whitney is a candidate for the Utah State Senate, representing District 13 in the 2026 election. A resident of Millcreek, Utah, he is running on a platform that includes a strong commitment to establishing congressional term limits. Whitney has signed a pledge to advocate for a resolution applying for an Article V convention to amend the U.S. Constitution for this purpose, reflecting his belief in citizen leadership over career politicians. He will be participating in the Democratic primary for the state senate seat.

• Evan Done — Candidate for State Senate in UT

  Evan Done is a Democratic candidate for Utah State Senate, driven by his lived experience as an openly gay man and a person in long-term recovery. He champions Progressive Democratic values, seeking to fight extreme rhetoric in the Utah legislature and ensure a voice for vulnerable communities. His platform advocates for LGBTQ equality, reproductive freedom, racial justice, and criminal justice reform centered on compassion. Economically, he supports attainable housing, renter protection, and a living wage. Environmentally, he is committed to saving the Great Salt Lake, improving air quality with renewable energy, and protecting public lands to make Utah a healthy home for all generations.

• Taylor J Paden — Union organizer and university worker in West Valley City, UT

  Taylor J. Paden, a 30-year-old lifelong Utahn born and raised in West Valley City, is a Democratic candidate running for Utah State Senate District 13 in the 2026 election. As a union organizer, community advocate, and university worker, Paden made history by forming the first union directly tied to a health system in Utah. Identifying as a Democratic Socialist, his campaign focuses on improving working people's lives, building an economy for the 99%, and defending workers' rights. Key policy stances include legalizing rent control, ending local cooperation with ICE, funding universal pre-kindergarten, increasing access to gender-affirming care, and protecting the Great Salt Lake.

• Silvia Catten — Incumbent Millcreek City Council - District 1 in Millcreek, UT

  Silvia Catten, a mom, small business owner, and dedicated public servant, has served on the Millcreek City Council for ten years. A former trained dancer, she is running for the Utah State Senate to ensure every Utah family has an unmatched quality of life and a fair chance to build a better future. Her platform prioritizes finding solutions for housing, investing in strong public schools, and protecting quality of life by conserving the Great Salt Lake through water conservation and quality initiatives. She also supports reproductive freedom, expanding arts programming, protecting LGBTQ+ rights, and lowering everyday costs.