ST. GEORGE — Citing growing work-related responsibilities that increasingly divide his time between serving the city and spending time with his family, City Councilman Gregg McArthur announced Monday that he will no longer seek reelection.
“Recently, my professional responsibilities in my Economic Development position for the State of Utah have evolved and are requiring me to spend significantly more time out of town in various communities throughout our state,” McArthur said in a social media post. “These new demands must be effectively balanced with my service in our community and my duties to my young family.”
Outside the council, McArthur is the economic development and project manager for the Utah Trust Lands Administration, also popularly known as SITLA. The agency manages 3.4 million acres of land that are either leased or sold off parcels for various purposes for the benefit of the state’s public education system.
McArthur’s post continues:
The moral responsibility of all candidates who are seeking to hold a political office involves a promise made by the candidate to live up to the responsibilities and obligations of that office. I do not take this charge lightly. With St George being one of the fastest growing municipalities in the country, I feel an overwhelming responsibility to ensure that I can put my duties as a St George City Council member as the foremost priority. For the first time, I am having to question my ability to uphold this promise.
It is with great gratitude and a bit of sorrow that I write to inform you that I am ending my bid for re-election to the St George City Council.
Prior to responsibilities with his SITLA position increasing, McArthur was seeking a second term on the St. George City Council and made it through the recent primary election, albeit in sixth place.
While McArthur will no longer be running, he will serve on the council until the end of his current term in January.
This reduces the field of candidates for City Council to five. State code does not allow a new candidate to take McArthur’s place if the vacancy happens within 65 days of the general election. If this were done before that period, the candidate who came in seventh in the primary would be taking McArthur’s spot
Incumbents Dannille Larkin and Jimmie Hughes, along with challengers Steve Kemp, Paula Smith and Brad Bennett, remain in the City Council race. The general election is Nov. 21.
McArthur’s social media post can be read in its entirely below:
St George is an amazing community. A community I love with all of my heart. A community that I have diligently served for a large portion of my life in an effort to ensure that it remains an incredible place to live, work and play.
Recently, my professional responsibilities in my Economic Development position for the State of Utah have evolved and are requiring me to spend significantly more time out of town in various communities throughout our state. These new demands must be effectively balanced with my service in our community and my duties to my young family.
The moral responsibility of all candidates who are seeking to hold a political office involves a promise made by the candidate to live up to the responsibilities and obligations of that office. I do not take this charge lightly. With St George being one of the fastest growing municipalities in the country, I feel an overwhelming responsibility to ensure that I can put my duties as a St George City Council member as the foremost priority. For the first time, I am having to question my ability to uphold this promise.
It is with great gratitude and a bit of sorrow that I write to inform you that I am ending my bid for re-election to the St George City Council. By acknowledging these concerns and taking this action now, my intent is to allow other candidates to receive your full consideration in the general election.
As you consider the candidates you wish to support, please look for those who will act with prudence in a way that shows care and thoughtfulness for the future of our city, regard the legacy of those who came before us, and who are willing to work together in a cohesive manner for the good of our community.
I sincerely appreciate all of your support and the opportunity you have given me to serve in this community that we all love so much! I am excited to serve through the remainder of my term and I will continue to stay involved in our community and in public service moving forward. Thank you!
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