My Promise: Loyal to the People

With the election cycle underway, I feel a responsibility to help the residents of Summit County get to know me and what I believe regarding the role of serving as Summit County clerk. It is a job interview after all, right? This is simply how I would commit to conduct myself in that role if blessed with the opportunity to serve.

I believe that the opportunity to vote is an incredible privilege that many people throughout history never had. The chance to shape your community and how it functions is a gift and a great responsibility. We are also blessed with the incredible honor to represent our neighbors and friends if we choose to run and become servants of the public.

Each time we cast a ballot, or choose not to, it affects the culture of where we live. How we treat and discuss issues with those running for office, or currently holding office, also affects who is willing to serve and ask their families to support them in that heavy endeavor. The county clerk sits at the center of this. The office doesn’t just oversee the votes cast. It also processes every person who puts their name forward to run for a local seat.

That’s why I want to make you each two clear promises. First, if you honor me with the privilege of serving as Summit County clerk, neither I nor my husband will personally endorse any local political candidates. It is intimidating enough to put yourself out there in an election cycle. Any person, regardless of party affiliation, who walks through the doors of the Clerk’s Office should never feel uncomfortable submitting their name because the officeholder has endorsed their opponent.

Second, while I recognize that Summit County already provides substantially more candidate information than many counties, first-time candidates still often have to piece together information from several sources, including Utah election law, the Lieutenant Governor’s Office, campaign finance portals, and disclosure requirements. I would work to create a single, easy-to-navigate candidate resource center with step-by-step guides, timelines, checklists, FAQs and educational materials designed especially for first-time candidates.

Clear, transparent, and accessible information helps ensure that every resident who wants to serve their community has the tools and confidence to do so. Encouraging broader participation ultimately leads to stronger candidates, greater representation, and better governance for the community as a whole.

Elections are the bedrock of our constitutional democratic republic. County clerks are called to protect that sacred trust. The integrity of this office depends on political neutrality. In fact, political activism in this office is a grave breach of trust. When the voters have spoken and the oath of office has been taken, the county clerk’s loyalty is to no individual or party. The county clerk’s loyalty is to the community.

I promise to be loyal to you.

Suni Woolstenhulme

Oakley

https://www.parkrecord.com/2026/06/10/loyal-to-the-people/