Park City Councilor Nann Worel first announced her intent to run for mayor last month. Worel filed official candidate paperwork to join the mayoral race last week.
Councilor Nann Worel is no stranger to the people of Park City.
A full-time resident since 2008, Worel first ran for city council in 2015 after serving four years on the Park City Planning Commission. She told KPCW it was during her reelection campaign in 2019 when the thought of eventually running for mayor first crossed her mind.
“When I ran for reelection to Park City Council in 2019, I had many people say to me, ‘I’ll endorse you this time if you’ll consider running in two years for mayor,’” said Worel. “I have thought about it, weighed the decision a lot, it’s a big, personal decision. I have a lot of other things going on in my life and wanted to make sure that I had the time to devote to it. I know that I have the skillset to do it successfully, so, here we go.”
Worel was also the executive director of the People’s Health Clinic for eight years before taking office. She said her proudest accomplishment to date in local government has been championing mental health and facilitating the creation of the Mental Wellness Alliance during her first term on the council.
“That’s a passion of mine,” Worel said. “It was an area that I was acutely aware of at the People’s Health Clinic. There was a big gap in the community, so I have had the opportunity to work with my council, as well as with the county and Summit County Health Department in the establishment of the Mental Wellness Alliance. I am so thrilled to see the progress that it has made over just a few short years.”
In her candidacy announcement last month, Worel said she would work to bring a new leadership style to city hall. What is lacking, she said, is “an environment where diverse opinions are welcomed with civility and without judgement.“
When asked what her leadership style would be if she were to be elected, Worel didn’t offer too many details, but said she looks forward to expanding on her philosophy as the campaign progresses.
“I have a very servant-leadership style, and that’s a big change from what’s currently in place, so I’m looking forward to the opportunity over the next several months to being able to expand on that further,” she said.
If elected, Worel would become the first female mayor in Park City’s history.
Worel said she will be announcing an official campaign website and social media pages in the near future.
Worel is joined in the race for mayor by incumbent mayor Andy Beerman and local investor David Dobkin. With more than two candidates officially entering the race, a primary will be held in early August to narrow the field down to two candidates before November’s election.
