Welcome to the City Journals Voters Guide!

2025's General Election Day is on Nov. 4.   (See other important dates and SLCounty information in our Voting Information Overview page at the Valley Journals here.) 

In preparation, we surveyed our readers (like you!) to ask which local topics would determine important voting decisions for local races. We then asked your local candidates those reader-suggested questions. Candidates were asked to limit their answers to 200 words.These are their answers: 

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In Riverton, Alexander Johnson and Rusty Lance are running for District 3. 

 

Q: Do you believe current property tax revenue is being used effectively? How so? 

Alexander Johnson: Riverton City itself has a 0.000% property tax for residents. I intend to keep it that way. Riverton does have a say in our fire and police service area taxes, and our city has done a great job at stretching every dollar. I am committed to finding solutions that ensure fire and police are fully funded without unnecessarily raising taxes. As for the County, I always believe there are ways to trim excess spending. As your Councilman, I will work with our Salt Lake County officials to keep county taxes from rising any further.  

Q: Thinking about fiscal responsibility, what values should your local budget reflect? How do you plan to balance those values? 

Alexander Johnson: Riverton City’s budget does, and should continue to reflect the values of conservative fiscal responsibility and transparency. As your Councilman, I will vote against raising taxes in our city. My experience working in Congress has taught me that every budget has bloat; before asking young families like mine or retired families living on fixed incomes to pay more, we should always look for ways to trim excess spending. I will be a careful steward of taxpayer dollars, making sure our city budget prioritizes core services while staying fully transparent so every resident can see where their tax money goes. 

Q: Many residents reported concern for government oversight and transparency. What systems would you support to hold local officials accountable when transparency standards aren't met? 

Alexander Johnson: Transparency is a key component of my campaign. As your Councilman, I won’t be someone who only shows up to council meetings. I have publicly committed to holding a town hall once a month, every month I am in office, even if no one shows up, because residents deserve transparent and open access to their elected officials. I will provide summaries of the city’s budget in plain language that is easy to digest. I believe the residents of Riverton have every right to hold their representatives accountable. I plan to lead by example with transparency and accountability. 

Q: What is your stance on local government cooperation with ICE? 

Alexander Johnson: I support law enforcement officials at all levels, whether it is local, state, or federal. My primary goal as your Councilman is to keep Riverton a safe place to raise a family and own a business. Whether it is working with Riverton PD, State Highway Patrol, Federal Drug Enforcement agents, or Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, my duty as your Councilman is to provide law enforcement with enough support to protect your life and liberties. 

Q: How do you plan to keep Riverton safe, beautiful and affordable? 

Alexander Johnson: Public safety is paramount, and I will always have the backs of our police, firefighters, and first responders. I will ensure that they all have the funding, resources, and training necessary to keep our community safe.   | Riverton is a beautiful city.  As a member of the Parks, Recreation, and Trails Committee, I have worked to expand outdoor recreation opportunities across the city. Riverton families deserve well-maintained green spaces and outdoor amenities that promote a healthy, active lifestyle. I plan to further invest in the beautification of the City by planting more trees on city property and promoting greener public spaces.  | Affordability is a crucial aspect of my campaign. I am a 5th-generation resident; I am fortunate to be able to buy my first home less than a quarter mile from where I grew up. I want my children to have the same opportunities to live in this amazing city. Nevertheless, I do not agree that the solution to Utah’s housing crisis is reckless, high-density housing units. I will prioritize policies that protect Riverton’s hometown feel. I promise to work with state and county leaders to preserve local control over housing decisions, not allowing other entities to mandate what we can or can’t do within our own city jurisdiction. 

Q: How will you address public transportation in West Riverton?

Alexander Johnson: As a staffer in Congress, I have been deeply involved in conversations with UTA, Wasatch Front Regional Council, local elected officials, and other key stakeholders about expanding public transportation in Riverton and throughout the southwest quadrant of Salt Lake County. The unprecedented growth in this state is happening right here in Riverton and our end of the valley, and public transportation options aren’t keeping up. There is a federal formula that determines where money goes to fund public transportation. That formula does not reflect the reality of Riverton’s growth and has left us dramatically underserved. With developments like Mountain View Village, the new Herriman SLCC campus, and other growth spots in Riverton and nearby cities, reliable public transportation is a necessity. As your Councilman, I will continue to advocate and fight for more public transportation opportunities in Riverton and the South Salt Lake Valley.

Q: One main succinct reason/goal for why you are running for this election: 

Alexander Johnson: My goal is to bring a fresh perspective to the Riverton City Council, helping our city grow in a way that preserves its hometown feel while keeping it the best place to raise a family in Utah. I bring transparency, accountability, policy-making experience, and a genuine commitment to serve the community that generations of my family call home.

Q: Background (residents have asked: What is your relevant educational/job experience? What previous government positions or offices have you held? How long have you been on the council?):

Alexander Johnson: I am a proud 5th-generation Riverton resident with nearly a decade of professional experience and policy-making in the public sector. I have a master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Utah, which has equipped me with the knowledge and experience to navigate complex issues facing government at all levels. I am a member of Riverton’s Historic Preservation Committee, where I advocate for the protection and celebration of Riverton’s heritage, as well as a member of the Riverton Parks, Recreation, and Trails Committee, where I work to enhance local parks, recreation, and outdoor spaces for all Riverton residents. I currently work as a senior staff member in the U.S. House of Representatives for Utah’s Congressman Burgess Owens here in the state. My work focuses on community outreach, where I find policy solutions to fix complex federal issues, and appropriations, where I work to bring taxpayer dollars back to Utah, funding critical infrastructure projects that are vital to communities. My professional experiences make me well-equipped to tackle the issues facing Riverton today and showcase my commitment to keeping Riverton a low-taxed, safe, and vibrant community.

Q: How can residents stay informed about your campaign? 

Alexander Johnson: Please go to my website AJ4Riverton.com. Additionally, feel free to call/text my personal phone (801-810-0612) or email [email protected]. I am committed to being accessible and responsive to Riverton District 3 constituents. 

City Journals Note - As of our press date, Rusty Lance had not responded to our editorial staff’s inquiries. The following informant can be found on his website (www.RustinLance.com): 

“This campaign is about more than politics, it’s about getting the community involved with the issues we face, and Rusty is ready to lead that effort.

Rusty believes elected representatives have a duty to keep the public informed and to protect Riverton residents from overreach at the federal, state, and county levels while preserving the values and safety that make our city exceptional.

Utah native Rusty Lance believes honesty, hard work, and personal responsibility are the backbone of a strong community. A lifelong conservative, he didn’t plan to run for office, but with the rise of the so-called “woke mind virus,” he couldn’t stay silent.

Rusty’s ready to push back and protect Riverton. Our town doesn’t need a makeover, it needs a wall! And he’s here to build it.

Rusty Lance’s background in finance and business uniquely equips him to serve on Riverton City Council with the fiscal responsibility and practical leadership our city needs.

His years as a financial advisor have honed his ability to analyze budgets, manage resources wisely, and plan for long-term sustainability, skills critical for protecting taxpayer dollars and cutting government waste.

As a member of the Riverton City Council, Rusty Lance will fight to implement real safeguards for our community. He will push for ordinances that block taxpayer-funded housing for illegal immigrants, demand full transparency from state and federal agencies operating in or near our city, and work to increase local control over zoning and resource allocation.

Rusty will also support our local law enforcement with the tools and backing they need to keep our neighborhoods safe. His priority is clear: protect Riverton families, preserve our values, and make sure our city is never forced to carry the burden of someone else's failed policies.”