John Arthur seeks full term in Utah House District 41

John Arthur, a Democrat appointed to the Utah House of Representatives in December 2025, is running for a full term in District 41 on Nov. 3, 2026. He faces Republican Darren Croft.

House District 41 covers the Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, most of Cottonwood Heights and portions of Holladay, Midvale and Murray, according to the Utah House Democrats. Arthur, an elementary school teacher, said on his campaign website that he wants to refocus education policy on student outcomes and keep decision-making with local leaders.

Candidate information

Party: Democratic
Office sought: Utah House of Representatives, District 41
Election date: Nov. 3, 2026
Opponent: Darren Croft (Republican)
Education: Bachelor of arts in English language and literature, University of Utah; master of arts in teaching, Westminster University; master of education in elementary education and teaching, Westminster University
Recognition: 2021 Utah Teacher of the Year; 2021 National Teacher of the Year finalist; National Board Certified Teacher. Arthur said on his campaign website he received the Council for Exceptional Children's 2024 general education teacher of the year award for his work supporting students with disabilities and the 2025 Democratic Dreamers Award from the Salt Lake County Democrats.
Author: The Digital Projects Playbook: A Step-by-Step Guide to Empowering Students as Creators

District 41 delegates appointed Arthur on Dec. 7, 2025, to replace Gay Lynn Bennion. He was sworn in Dec. 8, 2025, according to Utah Policy.

Experience and public service

Arthur serves on the Natural Resources, Agriculture & Environment Committee and the Political Subdivisions Committee in the Utah House, according to the Utah House Democrats. He has testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, according to a biographical summary.

He works as an elementary school teacher in the Salt Lake City School District and as an adjunct professor at Westminster University's graduate school of education. Arthur said on his campaign website he also serves as director of candidate recruitment at the Utah National Board Coalition and co-director at Teacher Fellows, a nonprofit. He listed board positions at the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, Voices for Utah Children, SpyHop and IncludEd United.

On the issues

The following positions are drawn from Arthur's responses on his campaign website and through BallotReady.

Education: Arthur said he supports smaller class sizes, more counselors, social workers and mental health supports in schools, updated, safe and adequately sized school buildings, and expansion of early childhood and after-school programs. He said education bills should pass with fiscal notes that cover necessary costs. He said he wants to leave decision-making in education to local leaders.

Environment and canyon access: Arthur said he supports legislation to address Great Salt Lake surface area shrinkage and water volume loss, greater state investment in air quality solutions, and energy-efficiency programs that lower utility bills. He said he wants to replace plans for the gondola in the Cottonwood Canyons with more practical, less environmentally disruptive solutions.

Housing: Arthur said he supports incentives for preserving naturally affordable housing and support for first-time homebuyers.

Government reform: Arthur said he supports full implementation of Proposition 4 and reinstatement of the Independent Redistricting Commission, preservation of universal vote-by-mail, and legislation to protect the judiciary against retaliatory threats of impeachment. He said he supports repeal of HB267 and greater protections for public workers.

Transportation: Arthur said he supports helping cities pursue safer street design on major thoroughfares.