Cami Richardson announces candidacy for Summit County Council

Photo: Cami Richardson and Joe Urankar of the LGBTQ+ task force speak.

If elected, Richardson said she will focus on fiscal responsibility, senior citizen housing, inclusivity, and improving the county and city relationship

SUMMIT COUNTY, Utah – Cami Richardson has officially announced her candidacy for the Summit County Council’s 2024 election. Richardson, a Kamas resident since 2004, intends to fill out the filing paperwork the first week of January.

Richardson has had a diverse range of work experiences and an advocate for community causes, which she believes will foster inclusive representation and fiscal responsibility within Summit County.

“I believe my financial acumen will serve as a valuable asset to the Summit County Council in the years ahead,” Richardson said. “I’m deeply committed to leveraging my experiences and passion for community service to ensure a prosperous and inclusive future for Summit County.”

If elected to the council, Richardson said she will focus on fiscal responsibility, senior citizen housing, inclusivity, and improving the county and city relationship.

Richardson’s career began as a professional firefighter in Poughkeepsie, New York. Richardson then transitioned into the business world, and served as the former chief financial officer of American Ski Company, where she helped take the company public in 1997.

Richardson also owns several businesses in Summit County, including the Park City local card, Park City Meat and Provisions, Summit County Beef, and Beadniks. Richardson was appointed as executive director of Summit County Beef before buying the operation outright from the county.

Throughout her time in Utah, Richardson has also been involved in several organizations, notably co-founding and co-chairing the Park City LGBTQ+ Task Force. Richardson was also the President and Founder of the Redstone Merchants Association before becoming the President of the Kimball Junction Business Association.

Richardson came out in 2016 as transgender and states, “My personal mission in life is to help educate and enlighten people about the transgender community by being out in the public domain, day in and day out, just being me and setting a good example. I can’t think of a better way to live that mission than by running for county council.

“I’ve had some amazing careers and accomplishments but nothing compares to the satisfaction I get  from being an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. I believe I am making a difference in Summit County.”

Before moving to Utah, Richardson gained experience working in local government, working as the lead developer of a successful 12 unit affordable housing project while living on Martha’s Vineyard in the mid 2000s, one of the first affordable housing projects on the island.

“Although I have taken a different route, that being through the non-profit sector, and not public administration, to get to this point in making this decision, I believe I’m well situated to continue to make a difference for Summit County,” Richardson said.