Redmond Candidates

Mayor: Kelly Johnson

What do you love most about Redmond and our community? I am a lifelong resident of Redmond, having been born and raised in the community. My family has also established deep roots here; my children grew up in Redmond, and now my grandchildren are being raised in the same town. Redmond is a remarkable community, offering a safe environment for children to play and fostering strong connections among neighbors through kindness and appreciation.

What inspired you to run for Mayor, and what do you hope to bring to the role?

I have served as the Mayor of Redmond for the past four years. During my tenure, I have secured grants for the restoration of the historic town hall, implemented major sewer and water system upgrades, and helped facilitate the installation of a new town sign. The community has benefited from the introduction of pickleball courts. As major I supported the formation of the beautification committee, new event spaces, and successful management of local festivals—all achieved through diligent fiscal oversight. I am committed to continuing these initiatives by securing additional grants and ensuring that the needs of Redmond are addressed in the most cost-effective manner for our citizens.

What experiences, skills, or community involvement do you feel best qualify you for this position?

Having lived in Redmond for nearly my entire life, I am familiar with the community and its residents. My involvement includes serving on the Redmond Town Council for four years, during which I facilitated road paving projects at minimal expense. As mayor, I completed required studies, managed regulatory documentation, launched an online autopay system for water bills, constructed a facility for salt storage and equipment, and updated office technology. The role of mayor involves understanding local laws and regulations and maintaining working relationships with community partners. Throughout my service, I have worked to build effective connections within the community and remain informed about relevant policies.

What do you hope to accomplish if you’re elected?

If elected, I intend to continue my current activities. The responsibilities of the mayor require ongoing attention, routine collaboration with departmental staff, and maintaining a welcoming atmosphere for residents through an open-door policy. These initiatives are intended to contribute to the Redmond community, and I plan to support further developments in the municipality. The goal is for Redmond to remain a place where children and families have confidence in the Town Council and all the hard work, time and dedication they give to Redmond Town.

Sincerely,

Kelly J. Johnson

Mayor Lyman Anderson

My name is Lyman Anderson and I am running for mayor of Redmond town. I have lived in Redmond for 40 years. My wife Marci and I have raised our family here.

 I enjoy spending time with my family and chasing our grandkids around in sports. I enjoy hunting, gardening, biking with my wife, and going on road trips. I have also enjoyed my time on the town council and serving the town of Redmond. 

I have spent the last 4 years on the Redmond town Council. During my time serving I spearheaded the committees that were able to put together the fall festival, add the pickleball courts to the town park and recognize the beautiful yards and hard work of Redmond citizens. I was also able to secure the grant to upgrade the street lights in Redmond, which have in turn saved the town money in energy costs. 

The thing I love most about Redmond in our community is the togetherness we have by helping neighbors and keeping small town traditions alive. What has inspired me to run for mayor is hoping I can make a difference in keeping the community working together. I believe in accountable leadership and working closely together with the town council and citizens of the town to fulfill the demands of our small community. If I am elected mayor of Redmond town, I plan to make more improvements on parks for our youth and community. I will continue cleaning up the town and making it a place people not only  want to visit, but also live in. This will promote the small town identity while also promoting future growth. 

COUNCIL MEMBERS

Kason Merchant

I’m a proud native of Redmond, currently pursuing a degree in education while teaching Computer Science at Salina Elementary School.  I graduated from North Sevier in 2023, where I strengthened my leadership skills as Superintendent of Educators Rising for the State of Utah and President of our local Rho Kappa chapter.           

I also had the opportunity to spend time at the Utah State Capitol shadowing Representative Carl Albrecht.  My love for political science and my desire to be involved in my community have only grown from those experiences. Inspired by my grandparents, Kendyl and Carla Wilkins, I deeply value hard work and family.  When I’m not in the classroom, you’ll often find me outdoors, gardening, or spending time with my old cars- a passion I’ve carried for years.

              What I love most about Redmond is its spirit of community and the way of life that comes with it.  Here, we know our neighbors by name, we wave to passing trucks, and lending a hand is simply second nature. The slow pace of life here isn’t a limitation- it’s a blessing.  Redmond’s wide-open spaces, strong traditions, and honest way of living are treasures I want to protect.

              My deep appreciation for our town inspired me to run for town council. I see the incredible value in the traditions that have shaped our home, from our twenty-fourth celebrations to the fall festival. But I also believe it’s important to remain flexible for the future.  Being young doesn’t mean I’m inexperienced- it means I bring energy, curiosity, and a willingness to adapt.  I want to bridge the gap between generations so that every voice, from every age, feels represented and heard.  I want to ensure our values and traditions thrive for years to come.

              My qualifications come from being involved in local events, volunteer projects, and working alongside the incredible people who make our community strong.  These experiences have taught me how to be an effective leader, a thoughtful problem solver, and most importantly, someone who can see more than one perspective.

              As your council member, I hope to strengthen our ties not only within Redmond, but also our surrounding communities.  My goal is to preserve the small-town heart of Redmond that we all know and love, while encouraging responsible growth so future generations can build their dream lives here.

              In a world that often pushes for bigger, faster, and louder, Redmond reminds us that slower just means more time for family, service, and the things that matter most. As your council member, I will work not only for you but with you, so together we can protect the values that matter most.  I am beyond proud to call Redmond my home. Thank you for making it yours, too.

              If you have any questions, ideas, or concerns, I’d love to hear from you. You can reach me at kmerchant.redmondtown@gmail.com or by phone.

Nichole Thurston

Hello, my name is Nichole Thurston. I am a long-time resident of Redmond, having moved here with my family when I was just 10 years old. Even before that, I spent much of my time here with my grandparents, since my dad was born and raised in town. I am proud of my roots that run so deep in this community. Like many of you, I believe Redmond is the best place to grow up and raise a family.

I married my husband, Corey, 33 years ago, and together we chose to make Redmond our home. It’s where we raised our three children and where we now enjoy life surrounded by our precious grandchildren. This town means the world to me. I love its peaceful, welcoming spirit, the closeness of neighbors and friends, and the strong sense of community that makes Redmond feel like home.

After working as a beautician for 30 years, I stepped away from that career, and with more time in my life, I am ready to give back to the community I love. I have enjoyed serving on the Fall Festival Committee and helping with the Beautification Committee. Through this work, I’ve seen how small efforts—like a splash of color or a thoughtful project—can bring big smiles and breathe new life into our town.

I am running for town council to continue this kind of work: to support and grow the projects that make Redmond warm, inviting, and family-friendly. I want to build on the momentum of recent years by encouraging local events that bring us together, continuing beautification efforts that reflect our pride, and preserving our small-town charm while preparing for the future. Most importantly, I want to listen to your voice—because every resident deserves to be heard.

I care deeply about Redmond, and I want to help shape a future where our children and grandchildren continue to feel safe, proud, and happy to call this place home. I would be honored to have your support. Let’s keep Redmond beautiful, connected, and thriving—together.

Travis Jensen

My name is Travis Jensen, I am the son of Paul and Paula Jensen and the Grandson of Luella Jorgensen all of Redmond.  I have lived in Redmond most of my life.  My wife is Amanda who I have been married to for 28 years.   We have 4 children and 5 Granddaughter’s and  1 more Granddaughter on the way.  I work in Gunnison for Proteor as the Facility and  Safety  Manager. 

I grew up In Redmond and I am thankful that I was able to raise my children in Redmond as well.   I am fortunate that I get to live next door to my Grandma Lou, My Parents and My son and his family.   Family is the most important thing to me and living in Redmond and having my family gather at my home is one of the things that bring me the most happiness.   I enjoy Hunting and camping, being in the mountains, kayaking and traveling with Amanda to see new places.   And one of my favorite Holidays is the 24th of July in Redmond.

Redmond is a great place to live.   There is something to be said about small towns and the bond that the residents share. The sense of family and community are so important to the residents here.   I am grateful to live in a place that the community comes together and helps each other out and supports in so many ways.   I appreciate the efforts of the town leaders and committees and the fun events they have put together.  

I am grateful for the opportunity to run for City Council.   I would like to work with the Mayor and other council members to help keep Redmond a safe place for our families.  I would like to work together to help resolve issues that arise and keep things moving forward in a positive atmosphere.   I know that if I am elected this will be beneficial to me, that I will be able to get out of my comfort zone and that I will be able to be more engaged in community events.  I feel it is important that we always have the small town community feel.   I am so grateful to the Older Generations and the many things they have taught us and the Importance of hard work and taking care of Redmond.

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