OGDEN — Four hopefuls are vying for at-large Seat C on the Ogden City Council.

Primary balloting will serve to whittle the list to two — the top two vote-getters — and as voting winds down, below are some of the basics about the hopefuls: Shaun Myers, John Thompson, Lara Gale and Levi Andersen. Mail-in ballots are out and due next Tuesday.

The Seat C post represents the entirety of Ogden, thus all registered voters in the city can weigh in. Luis Lopez now holds the seat, but he’s not seeking reelection. Now for a bit about the four contenders:

Name: Lara Gale

Age: 42

Occupation: She’s a regional economic development researcher for the Washington, D.C.-based National Association of Development Organizations, working remotely for the group.

She worked as an economic development specialist, whether in a part-time or full-time capacity, from 2020 to this year and for the Bear River Association of Governments from 2019 also to this year. She worked in varied research capacities at Utah State University from 2018 to 2022 and as a freelance reporter for the Moab Sun in Moab from 2015-2017.

She served 14 years in the Air Force and Army reserve, she said in her bio provided to the Utah Lieutenant Governor’s Office.

Political experience: She’s making her first bid for public office.

Ogden roots: Gale moved from Logan to the Ogden area in April 2020, she said. “I have friends and family in Ogden and Davis County, and the Wasatch area generally,” she wrote.

She had arranged a part-time summer job in 2020 with Better Food Farms when the pandemic lockdowns began, she said, and she lost her housing lease. Ultimately, she found other housing arrangements and grew fond of the area. “I love it here, so I bought a house just before interest rates shot up and stayed,” Gale said.

Education: She attended Alta High School in Sandy, has a bachelor’s degree in international studies from the University of Utah and a master’s degree in applied economics from Utah State University.

Name: Shaun Myers

Age: 64

Occupation: He’s a licensed funeral director and chief executive officer of Myers Mortuary in Ogden. He’s worked for Myers for 41 years, serving as its president since 2005.

“As a business owner, I have learned the importance of experienced and positive leadership,” Myers wrote. “I will bring my many years of business knowledge, experience and connections in the business community to my service on the City Council.”

Political experience: He’s running for public office for the first time.

“However, I have served as the president of many professional, local, state and national associations, and various non-profit organizations. I currently serve as the chair of the Ogden-Weber Chamber of Commerce,” he said.

Ogden roots: Myers was born in Ogden and attended grade school here before moving to North Ogden. On marrying, he returned to Ogden with his wife. “We raised our children here and we have lived in Ogden for the past 40 years,” he said.

Education: He graduated from Weber High School in Pleasant View and attended Weber State University. He ultimately received a bachelor’s degree in mortuary science from the University of Minnesota and completed some graduate studies in psychology at the University of Utah.

Name: Levi Andersen

Age: 39

Occupation: He’s a history teacher at Mound Fort Junior High School.

“I am starting my seventh year of teaching. Before that, I worked at Skywest Airlines for 13 years and was in the Army Reserve for eight years with one deployment,” he said.

Political experience: He’s running for office for the first time, though it’s something he had long planned to do. “I love this country and I feel a call to service,” he said.

Ogden roots: He has had family in the area for most of his life. “I moved to Ogden in 2006 to attend Weber State University. I met my wife here and we have lived here ever since,” he said.

Education: He graduated from Gig Harbor High School in Washington and graduated from Weber State with a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in social science and history teaching.

Name: John Thompson

Age: 74

Occupation: He’s now retired but worked before that for 15 years for the Utah Department of Human Service’s Office of Recovery Services. In that capacity, he helped with child support collection efforts for the state. He also served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Political experience: He’s vied unsuccessfully for many offices over the years at the federal, state, county and local level. He’s run for the U.S. House, Ogden mayor and Weber County commissioner, among many other postings.

Ogden roots: He came to Ogden in 1961 with his family, his father drawn to the area by work.

Education: He graduated from Ogden High School and received a bachelor’s degree from Weber State with an emphasis in history and criminal justice. While in the military, he received two master’s degrees in management and human relations from Webster University in Missouri.

Julez Garcia filed to run for the seat but withdrew his candidacy. His name is on the ballot, but votes for him won’t be counted.

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