Sim Gill runs for Salt Lake County attorney in 2026

Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill is seeking the county attorney seat in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election, running as a Democrat against Republican Kent Davis.

Asked why he is running, Gill said in our candidate questionnaire: "I'm running to continue the important work we've accomplished in my tenure as District Attorney: building the programs that reform our criminal justice system without compromising public safety." He cited his office's creation of "Utah's first Mental Health Court, first Veterans Court, and first Pre-Filing Diversion Program" and said, "There's still work to do to support people with severe mental illness and those experiencing homelessness, and strengthen support for victims."

Candidate information

Party: "Democrat"

Family: "I live in Salt Lake with my wife and raised my two children here"

Education: "I graduated from Kearns High School, attended the University of Utah to complete a Bachelor's in History and Philosophy, and then pursued a J.D. from Lewis & Clark Law School (then Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College), with a Certificate of Specialization in Environmental and Natural Resources Law."

Experience and public service

Occupation and work history: "I am the current Salt Lake County District Attorney, and I have spent more than 30 years in public service as a public prosecutor. Before being elected District Attorney, I served as Salt Lake City's Chief Prosecutor, and earlier in my career I prosecuted a wide range of criminal cases."

Previous elected office: "I've served as the Salt Lake County District Attorney since being elected in 2010"

On the issues

What accomplishments would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Gill said in our questionnaire: "Under my leadership, the District Attorney's office created Utah's first Mental Health Court and Veterans Court, the Salt Lake Area Family Justice Center, and Camp Hope, a program for children recovering from abuse and trauma. Our Pre-Filing Diversion Program has a success rate above 92 percent, and our Survivor and Victim Support Services Division puts social workers alongside prosecutors to support victims through the entire judicial process."

He added: "Leading the largest prosecutor's office in Utah means managing a large team of attorneys, investigators, and advocates, serving as legal counsel to county government, and making hard decisions with care and integrity."

What are the critical differences between you and other candidates?

Gill said: "The biggest difference is experience leading a prosecutor's office. I have served as both a line prosecutor and Salt Lake City's Chief Prosecutor, and I have led the largest prosecutor's office in Utah through serious public safety challenges, a pandemic, and major reforms."

He pointed to results including "a public dashboard showing every case we file or decline" and said he sent "22 policy proposals to the Legislature, including revisions for how police use-of-force cases are handled." He added: "You may not always agree with me, but I follow the law, even when it's unpopular, and I will always tell you where I stand."

How would you advise commissioners on data center, water rights or development deals?

Gill said: "My job as the county's lawyer is to protect Salt Lake County residents and taxpayers, not to rubber-stamp deals." He said he advises "county leaders that data centers and large developments must meet clear standards that protect our water, energy, and air, with rigorous review of water use, power demand, noise, and environmental impact before approval."

His office "is already part of the county's working group on the data center moratorium, helping craft rules that protect residents and withstand legal challenges," Gill said. He added: "On any deal, I'll make sure taxpayers are protected with enforceable commitments, repercussions if promises aren't kept, and terms the public can see. Developers have their own lawyers. The county's attorney should answer only to the public."