After learning the air quality in Salt Lake City had become so bad that it could take two years off her newborn’s life, Erin became an activist and joined Utah Moms for Clean Air in 2008. Determined to bring scientific understanding to air-quality discussions, Erin co-founded a new non-profit organization, Breathe Utah, in 2010 and was appointed to Utah’s Air Quality Board in 2014. She has since twice been elected as its chair. Wanting to advance air-quality policy inside city government and serve Salt Lake City on a wider range of issues, Erin ran for office and was elected to represent District 5 on the City Council in 2013. During her six years on the Council, including one year as its chair, Erin worked for equitable progress across the city, driving road repairs and infrastructure maintenance, expanding access to transit and affordable housing, and making the city more equitable for women and girls.
As mayor, Erin is working hard to make Salt Lake City more environmentally and economically resilient and to take advantage of the region’s historic period of economic opportunity. She is determined to ensure every Salt Laker can access all the city has to offer. Erin was elected the 36th mayor of Salt Lake City in November 2019 and took the oath of office in January 2020. She recently won reelection in November 2023 and was sworn in for her second term in January 2024. Mayor Mendenhall holds a bachelor’s degree in gender studies and a master’s degree in science and technology, both from the University of Utah.