Mike Carey, SLCo GOP Chair, joins to talk strategy, outreach, and Utah’s political future.

Mike Carey, the Chair of the Salt Lake County Republican Party, recently sat down to discuss the evolving political landscape in Utah, the challenges and opportunities facing the GOP in Salt Lake County, and his vision for strengthening the party’s impact in upcoming elections. Having moved to Utah over 14 years ago and brought with him extensive experience in construction management and community engagement, Mike offers a unique perspective on local politics, grassroots organization, and the critical issues shaping Utah’s future.

In this comprehensive interview, Mike shares insights into the party’s current strategy, outreach efforts, and the political dynamics in Salt Lake County. He also dives deep into pressing topics like housing affordability, election preparations, and the importance of effective communication within the party. Whether you’re a Utah resident, political enthusiast, or someone interested in GOP organizational tactics, this interview sheds light on the inner workings of local politics and the road ahead for conservatives in the state.

Getting to Know Mike Carey: Background and Path to Utah

Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your background, and how you ended up in Utah?

Sure thing. I’m originally from New Jersey — yes, a Jersey boy, so don’t hold that against me! I’m a big fan of good Italian food and, unfortunately, a woeful New York Giants fan. I earned my mechanical engineering degree from Alfred University in Western New York, a small private school that prides itself on helping first-generation college students like me. In fact, I’ve been a trustee there for nine years now.

After college, I spent about 11 years in the Washington, D.C. area working in construction management, primarily on federal projects. Post-9/11, the federal government grew rapidly, and while I was part of building projects in that space, I wasn’t involved in policy. My wife and I found the constant political talk exhausting, especially as we were expecting our third child and wanted a change. The DC real estate market was booming, so we sold our house there and moved to Utah in 2010, where we got a great deal on a home in Cottonwood Heights. It was a fresh start for our family.

Before moving, we only knew a few things about Utah: the Jazz, the TV show Big Love, and that it had good skiing. I remember looking out the plane window and thinking, “These are real mountains.” We had no firsthand sense of the culture or political landscape, but we quickly settled into a wonderful community.

What drew your daughter to attend the University of Mississippi, and what is she studying?

We toured a number of SEC schools because they have fantastic programs and are affordable, which was important to us. My daughter ultimately chose Ole Miss over LSU. She’s in the business school, focusing on real estate development, which is fitting since I’ve talked about real estate and construction a lot at home. Ole Miss has a great program, started by one of my business partners, and the town of Oxford is safe and offers a rich Greek life experience. She’s part of Alpha Kai Omega, a relatively new sorority, and it’s been a tremendous network for her.

Leadership in Salt Lake County GOP: Building on a Strong Foundation

You recently became the Salt Lake County GOP Chair. How did that come about, and what state was the party in when you took over?

Chris Null, the previous chair, did a great job over the last four years, really pulling the party out of a ditch. Before 2022, I wasn’t deeply involved in county politics, but the Mike Lee race that year sparked my interest. From what I’ve heard, the previous leadership rebuilt the party’s foundation — improving data management, organizing events, communicating with members, and recruiting candidates for races where no Republicans had previously filed.

So, if Chris and the outgoing team got the party running in first gear, my team and I are here to push it to the next level. Alongside Vice Chair Sarah Montes, Treasurer Cal Jurich, and Secretary Emily Swanson, we’re focused on amplifying the party’s impact in Salt Lake County.

What is your approach to leading the party, especially given your background in managing large projects?

My approach is very much project management oriented. Over my career, I’ve run massive billion-dollar construction projects involving huge teams. I want to apply that same discipline to the party’s operations. Last year, as a candidate, I saw that while we have many volunteers and some organization, a critical weakness was communication. We lost some close countywide races that we shouldn’t have lost, and I believe that was largely due to a communications gap.

For instance, out of roughly 250,000 registered Republicans in the county, I only had about 96,000 good email contacts during my campaign — less than 40%. Add in maybe another 3-4% reachable by cell phone, and you see the problem. That means half the party wasn’t receiving direct communication from us about candidates, town halls, meet-and-greets, or other events. People are busy, and we can’t expect them to seek out this information on their own. Improving communication is a top priority.

Upcoming Elections: Strategy and Opportunities

There’s a special election coming up for State School Board District 7. What can you tell us about that race?

Yes, Molly Hart, who was the state school board member for District 7, recently became superintendent, so her seat is open. The law says that for special elections replacing a partisan seat — in this case, a Republican seat — the state central committee nominates three candidates, the governor selects one, and then the Senate ratifies that choice.

Importantly, the person appointed only serves until the next election cycle, so they won’t complete the full four-year term Molly was elected to. Instead, they’ll serve through the end of 2026 and would have to run again if they want to continue.

The application process opens this weekend through the state party website, and the state central committee will hold the election on May 21st. We want to move quickly to fill this seat because otherwise, people in the Canyon School District won’t have representation on the state school board over the summer.

What about the municipal elections in Salt Lake County? How is the party involved given that these races are nonpartisan?

While municipal races are officially nonpartisan, the Republican Party remains highly engaged because Salt Lake County has the largest Republican membership of any party, with roughly a quarter of a million registered Republicans. Democrats make up about 14-17%, and there’s a large unaffiliated or independent group as well.

Our goal is to support conservative candidates running for mayor and city council seats. We’re rolling out a program soon to remind people about filing deadlines and to offer questionnaires for Republicans who want party support. This support could include volunteers, communications, and other logistical help — not overtly partisan branding, but practical assistance to help candidates run effective campaigns.

Challenges and Priorities: Communication, Voter Turnout, and Candidate Recruitment

What do you see as the biggest challenges for the county GOP right now, and what are your priorities?

Communication is our Achilles heel. We have strong volunteers and organization, but we must improve how we reach and energize the party base. Increasing voter turnout among conservatives by just 5-7% in key areas like the west side and southeast corner of Salt Lake County could secure many countywide victories.

We also need to recruit and support reliable conservative candidates for important races next year, including the county auditor, sheriff, three county council seats (one at-large), and the district attorney’s race, which many consider the most crucial in the state. Getting our act together in Salt Lake County, especially Salt Lake City, starts with electing the right people in these roles.

How do national political dynamics, such as attitudes toward former President Trump, impact your work at the county level?

Salt Lake County is unique in that support for Trump among Republicans here is the lowest percentage-wise compared to the rest of Utah. But frankly, that doesn’t matter to me. My focus is on electing reliable conservatives who will represent our values and priorities locally. Whether someone is a Trump Republican or not isn’t the issue.

As a candidate last year, I encountered some resistance from voters who said, “I’m a Republican, but not a Trump Republican.” I asked them, “What does that have to do with the county council or DA’s race?” Local government controls a $2 billion budget and has a significant impact on people’s lives. We have to focus on the issues and candidates, not national politics or cable news drama.

Housing in Salt Lake County: Perspectives and Policy

Housing affordability is a major issue in Utah. What are your thoughts on the current situation and policy approaches?

Housing is definitely a hot topic with many Republicans. Within the party, there are two main perspectives. One is that we need to build more starter homes, which I agree with. The other involves densification — increasing housing density through smaller lots and transit-oriented developments.

I’ve been in construction for 25 years and have lived in Maryland and New Jersey, where similar densification efforts were tried between 2000 and 2011. They didn’t work as intended and led to some undesirable long-term consequences. Salt Lake County is starting to look like those metroplex areas, with sprawling suburbs and transit hubs, but the data supporting densification is often stale.

Looking at current data from the last two and a half years shows a different story. As of April 2025, there are over 44% more homes on the market statewide compared to April 2024. The data used to justify policies was based on the COVID-era housing crunch when there were fewer than 1,000 homes for sale statewide. Median home prices have dropped roughly $80,000 from two years ago and are now near pre-COVID levels, which were still high but more stable.

Migration from high-cost states like California fueled a bidding war, but now the market is cooling and should be allowed to return to equilibrium without heavy-handed interventions. The biggest gap remains starter homes, which we need more of. However, pushing densification with very small lots and homes isn’t the right solution. I’d be happy to take policymakers on a drive through Maryland and New Jersey to show them why that approach is problematic for Utah’s long-term interests.

Looking Ahead: Goals for 2025 and Beyond

What are your major goals for the remainder of 2025 and into the 2026 election cycle?

For the rest of 2025, we’re focused on two primary objectives:

1. Municipal Races: We want to support registered Republicans and potential candidates who are considering running for mayor or city council. We have a wealth of experienced people within the party who have run for office before, whether they won or lost. Leveraging their knowledge and support helps new candidates avoid pitfalls and run more effective campaigns without having to figure everything out on their own.
2. Improving Communication and Voter Engagement: We want to increase communication with party members to energize them for the 2026 elections. If we can raise conservative turnout by 5-7% in key areas, we can win most countywide races next year.

Looking to 2026, we have critical races including the county auditor, sheriff, three county council seats, and the district attorney’s race. Getting strong, dependable conservative candidates on the ballot and into office is essential for shaping Salt Lake County’s future.

Any final thoughts on your vision for the party and Salt Lake County politics?

Salt Lake County is the political battleground for Utah’s future. We are building on a strong foundation laid by previous leaders, and with focused strategy, better communication, and targeted outreach, we can strengthen the Republican presence here. It’s about representing our shared values, supporting good candidates, and engaging voters effectively.

I’m optimistic about what we can achieve. The challenges are real but manageable if we work together strategically. The next few years will be critical, and I’m committed to leading the party to success in Salt Lake County.

Conclusion

Mike Carey’s leadership as Salt Lake County GOP Chair comes at a pivotal time for Utah’s political landscape. His focus on improving communication, recruiting strong candidates, and addressing key issues like housing affordability reflects a pragmatic and strategic approach to local politics. Salt Lake County, with its unique demographics and political dynamics, remains a crucial battleground for shaping the state’s future. As 2026 approaches, the efforts to energize conservatives and support effective candidates will be essential in determining the direction of local governance.

For those interested in Utah politics, Mike’s insights offer a valuable look into the GOP’s organizational priorities and the challenges ahead. His commitment to strengthening the party’s infrastructure and outreach serves as a blueprint for political engagement in a rapidly changing environment.

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