ALEN BLANCO HERNANDEZ 2035
CREATING REAL CHANGE IN OUR COMMUNITY
ELECT JEANETTE PADILLA VEGA
SALT LAKE COUNTY COUNCIL D1
MEET JEANETTE
Jeanette Padilla Vega is a mother, nonprofit founder, and dedicated advocate for working families and marginalized communities. She is running for Salt Lake County Council to put people first—and to bring compassionate, courageous leadership to the urgent issues of health, housing, and public safety.
As the Founder and CEO of the Food Justice Coalition, Jeanette has led the delivery of over 70,000 free, nutrient-dense meals to individuals and families experiencing food insecurity across Salt Lake County. Her work is informed by lived experience: growing up between Mexico and California, navigating poverty, homelessness, and the criminal justice system while building solutions rooted in dignity, not charity.
Beyond the nonprofit sector, Jeanette has taken bold action to advance justice and accountability. She served as a legal liaison for a Utah family securing a $4 million civil settlement against Cottonwood Heights in a police excessive force case, and launched Salt Lake City’s first gun buyback program since the 1990s. She has also consulted and fundraised for families facing criminal charges and individuals prosecuted for exercising their First Amendment rights in protest of police brutality.
Jeanette brings deep experience as a policy advisor, campaign organizer, and cross-sector strategist. She’s worked on Democratic campaigns in Utah, Nevada, and Texas, and has helped shape trauma-informed, community-centered policy solutions at every level.
Now, she’s ready to bring that same courage and commitment to the Salt Lake County Council—to ensure every resident has access to safety, stability, and opportunity.
EXPERIENCE. INTEGRITY. IMPACT
VISION &
PRIORITIES
Many candidates bring ideas—and that’s important. But I bring more than a vision. I bring a record of results. From helping secure a $4 million legal settlement for a family impacted by police violence, to leading Salt Lake City’s first gun buyback program in decades, to securing a legislative appropriation, to building a successful nonprofit from the ground up—providing over 70,000 free, nutritious meals to Utahns facing hunger—I’ve spent years turning values into impact.
Salt Lake County needs leaders who not only understand the issues, but have already built solutions that work. While others may be new to this work—or returning to it—I offer a grounded, hands-on approach shaped by direct experience. If we want different outcomes, we need leaders with a different kind of track record—one rooted in service, shaped by community, and proven by results.
01
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
scroll >>>
-
Expand deeply affordable and diverse housing options for both renters and first-time homebuyers
-
Support the development of permanently affordable for-sale homes through land trusts, community partnerships, and nonprofit developers
-
Champion inclusionary zoning, tenant protections, and policies that stabilize housing costs and prevent displacement
-
Align housing investments with fiscally responsible, long-term planning
02
HOMELESSNESS
-
Champion a comprehensive, evidence-based approach that meets people where they are and helps them move toward stability
-
Advance a human services plan designed to ensure homelessness in Salt Lake County becomes brief, rare, and nonrecurring
-
Expand low-barrier emergency shelters and access to trauma-informed mental and physical healthcare, substance use support, and case management
-
Strengthen partnerships with nonprofits and frontline providers to improve outreach and coordinated services
-
Promote policies that treat homelessness as a public health issue—not a criminal offense
-
Collaborate with surrounding counties for transitional and permanent supportive housing solutions
03
MENTAL HEALTH & CRISIS
RESPONSE
-
Increase funding for accessible, affordable, and trauma-informed mental health services
-
Expand mobile crisis response teams and alternatives to law enforcement in mental health emergencies
-
Support programs that provide mental health care as a core component of housing, reentry, and public health strategies
-
Support continued investment in mental health infrastructure as part of the county’s broader public safety and wellness strategy
04
CRIMINAL JUSTICE
REFORM
-
Support preventative measures by expanding and increasing access to diversion and treatment, including: rehabilitation, housing stability, and assistance in reintegration as core components
05
ZAP & CULTURAL
FUNDING
-
Continued support for the Zoo, Arts & Parks (ZAP) Program, which is an investment in much-needed safe third spaces particularly for our youth and for free and low-cost arts and cultural programming countywide
06
ENVIRONMENTAL
ADVOCACY
-
Utilize cross sector collaboration with legislators to advance clean air and water conservation strategies
-
Support county-wide green initiatives including solar power and other renewables
-
Support expanded public transit to reduce vehicle emissions and improve air quality
07
TRANSPARENT &
COLLABORATIVE
GOVERNANCE
-
Prioritize budgeting that reflects fiscal responsibility and good use of taxpayer dollars
-
Work collaboratively and intentionally to ensure county programs are fully funded without raising taxes
-
Promote transparency by encouraging public input through regular community meetings and listening sessions, ensuring community voices help shape county decisions.
-
Advocate for long-term financial planning that aligns with community needs, economic resilience, and transparent decision-making
-
Support long-term strategy through capital improvement funding, public-private partnerships, and cross-sector collaboration
WE DO NOT RISE TO THE LEVEL OF OUR GOALS. WE FALL TO THE LEVEL OF OUR SYSTEMS.