Provo, Utah — After serving eight years as the mayor of Utah County’s largest city, Michelle Kaufusi has officially conceded to challenger Marsha Judkins following one of the closest municipal elections in Provo’s recent history.
In a heartfelt message shared Thursday evening on Facebook, Kaufusi thanked residents for their trust and reflected on her two-term leadership.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve my hometown as mayor,” Kaufusi wrote. “What I will miss most are the great people I have worked with through these eight years. You will always be in my heart.”
A Close Contest
The race between Kaufusi and Judkins remained neck and neck throughout the 2025 general municipal election. Early results appeared to favor the incumbent, but updated tallies released Thursday showed Judkins leading by nearly 400 votes—enough for Kaufusi to acknowledge defeat.
While official certification is still pending, Kaufusi’s concession marks the end of her two-term tenure and paves the way for Judkins to assume leadership of the city.
A Legacy of Growth and Infrastructure
Kaufusi’s administration oversaw significant developments across Provo. She highlighted a series of major achievements, including:
- The addition of more than 10 police officers and 10 firefighters.
- Construction of a new public safety headquarters, two new fire stations, and a modern city hall.
- Completion of a state-of-the-art sewer and water treatment plant to address long-term infrastructure needs.
- Expansion of Provo Airport, now ranked among the fastest-growing regional airports in the nation.
“From day one, my goal wasn’t political survival—it was to lift Provo in ways that would last for generations,” Kaufusi wrote. “Being recognized as one of the best-run cities in the nation was only the cherry on top.”
A Focus on Partnerships and Progress
Throughout her leadership, Kaufusi emphasized collaboration with residents, businesses, and regional partners. She credited teamwork as the cornerstone of her success, ensuring that many large-scale projects were funded through non-resident dollars.
Her pragmatic approach to city development, combined with fiscal restraint and long-term planning, has earned her bipartisan respect within Utah’s political landscape.
What’s Next for Provo
Marsha Judkins, a state lawmaker and former member of the Utah House of Representatives, is set to bring a new vision to Provo’s city government. As of Thursday night, she had not yet released a detailed transition statement but acknowledged the results with gratitude toward voters.
Kaufusi, meanwhile, said she plans to continue supporting community initiatives in Provo and expressed confidence in the city’s future.
“Provo is in great hands,” she wrote. “Our foundation is strong, our people are stronger, and I know the best is yet to come.”
