Kris Campbell files for House District 4 seat amid Kera Birkeland’s resignation

SALT LAKE CITY, UT — Kris Campbell, a candidate for Utah State House District 4, has officially filed for consideration by Republican Party delegates following the resignation of Rep. Kera Birkeland.

The resignation of Rep. Kera Birkeland, effective Jan. 10, triggered a special election process in which Republican delegates from District 4—encompassing Summit, Daggett, Duchesne, Morgan, and Rich counties—will select her replacement, who will then be appointed by the governor. Campbell emphasized his commitment to fair representation and community unity while expressing concerns about the unusual nature of the selection process.

“Rep. Birkeland’s decision to resign now, instead of last summer, has taken away voters’ ability to choose who will represent them for the next two years,” Campbell said in a statement. “Instead, the decision now falls to party delegates rather than the broader electorate. While I would have preferred an open primary to engage directly with voters, our system doesn’t allow for it. Therefore, I filed to be considered by the party caucus and will work to ensure that all voices in our district—those who supported me and those who didn’t—are represented.”

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Campbell, who previously ran for the seat, reiterated his dedication to addressing critical issues such as the rising cost of living, responsible development, and water resource management.

“This race is about more than winning; it’s about advocating for fairness, accountability, and representation,” Campbell said. “This commitment is what guides me each day as I pray for clarity and direction. Together, we can protect our families’ future here and build stronger, more united communities.”

Reflecting on his political journey, Campbell highlighted his history of putting people over party affiliation,“When I first ran, I wasn’t affiliated with a party. However, I joined the Democratic Party, understanding that my loyalty is to my constituents, not a party line. I’ve always focused on people over parties, and I will continue to do so while in the Republican Party.”

Campbell has lived in Summit County for 15 years, including the Summit Park, Timberline, and Silver Creek neighborhoods near Park City. A father of two daughters, Campbell is a program director at Mountain Mediation, a leader in the Utah Braver Angels Alliance, and a member of Summit Pride.

With a background in software engineering and a PhD in Computing from the University of Utah, Campbell has worked on Alzheimer’s research and advanced brain imaging techniques. He began his civic engagement by coordinating signature gathering for the 2019 tax reform referendum and advocating for fair redistricting in 2021.

For more information on Kris Campbell and his campaign, visit kris4utah.com.