Speech for the Summit County Democratic Convention

Date: April 7, 2026

Location: Park City High School

Good evening, fellow Democrats!

My name is Zane Woolstenhulme, and I am running to represent you in the Utah House for District 4.

I come before you tonight not just as a candidate, but as a lifelong neighbor with multigenerational roots throughout the county.  My maternal grandfather worked 30 years in the mines here in Park City and served as mayor in Park City for a time in the 1950’s.  My great-great grandfather was one of the first settlers in the Kamas Valley.   I grew up farming and ranching in Oakley, and working in a small business alongside my father. Those early mornings in the fields taught me a fundamental truth that the current legislature ignores:: you can’t harvest what you don’t plant, and you can’t lead a community you don’t listen to.

For the last 40 years, I have dedicated my career to public service —managing budgets, personnel, and facilities for our schools.  I have years of experience in municipal governance, including over 20 years on the Oakley City Planning Commission and, most recently, I had the distinct privilege of serving a four-year term as the Mayor of Oakley.

As mayor in Oakley, we didn’t just talk about sustainability; we built it. We secured a new, fully funded well to guarantee clean water for generations. We didn’t just talk about the environment; we expanded our dedicated open spaces and trails along the Weber River corridor to protect our watershed in perpetuity.

I served for nearly ten years on the board of the Mountainlands Community Housing Trust. We proved that you can create attainable housing that enhances a community’s character rather than diminishing it. We showed that being a "steward of the public trust" means managing resources wisely so that new development pays its fair share and the burden doesn't fall solely on the residents who have been here for decades.

I’ve never been afraid to tackle the "tough" issues.

Our current political environment is marred by fierce polarization and "identity politics" that ignores the practical needs of families.  The current legislature has been relentless in attempting to usurp authority from local governments to manage and direct development.  Some are trying to strip local governments of  the tools needed to address infrastructure improvements.

If you send me to Salt Lake City, I will focus on three core pillars:

1. Sustainable Growth & Water: We must protect the Great Salt Lake and our local watersheds. My experience with capital improvement plans means I won’t just vote for "concepts"—I will fight for the infrastructure funding required to keep our water clean and our air breathable.  I will fight for county and community rights to determine their own destiny with regards to development and growth. 

2. Attainable Housing: We need a representative who understands the mechanics of housing trusts and development codes. I will work to ensure our teachers, first responders, and service workers can afford to live in the communities they serve.

3. Fiscal Accountability: With 40 years in public finance, I know how to spot a "tax shift" disguised as a "tax cut." I will be a wise steward of your tax dollars and work to ensure those dollars are invested in our schools and our local infrastructure.

District 4 encompasses a unique, beautiful swath of Utah—including most of Summit County and Morgan counties, and all of Rich county. Since the boundaries were revised, we have never had a resident of Summit County represent us in this seat.

• I am standing here tonight as a Democrat because this party is the one fighting for the future—for the "Prepare for Tomorrow" part of my lifelong motto.

• I’m standing here tonight as a Democrat because this party is focused on sustainable solutions. 

• I’m standing here tonight as a Democrat because I believe the "voice of the rancher" and the "voice of the conservationist" can, and should, be the same voice.

• I’m standing here tonight as a Democrat because our current representation has prioritized partisan posturing over the standards of decorum and respect that I have championed.

• And finally, I’m standing here tonight as a Democrat because I’m convinced we can win this election.  I’m convinced that if you put your trust in me, united, we will win.  We will win for the counties I will have the honor of serving and for the party.

I am asking for your delegate vote on April 25th because I have the breadth of experience to hit the ground running on day one. I don’t just have a platform; I have a track record.

Let’s stop shouting across the aisle and start building the bridges that bring our community together. My name is Zane Woolstenhulme, and I would be honored to be your voice in the Utah House.

Thank you!