Karen McCandless has called Orem home for over 30 years. She raised her family here, built her career here, and has spent decades working to make Orem a place where families and businesses thrive. From her 13 years of service on the Orem City Council to leading a large local food bank/social service agency, Karen has always been focused on strengthening the community she loves.

Karen’s leadership has been recognized both locally and statewide — she was honored as a Utah Business Woman of the Year and received the Chamber Champion Award from the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce for her work supporting businesses and building partnerships across the region. Whether helping families put food on the table, supporting families moving out of poverty, or bringing people together to solve tough challenges, Karen believes in practical, principled leadership that listens first and puts Orem’s people at the heart of every decision.

Now, Karen is running for Mayor of Orem to continue that commitment. She is focused on keeping Orem safe and family-friendly, supporting local businesses, protecting our neighborhoods, and making sure city government stays open, responsive, and grounded in the values of its residents. Karen believes the best solutions come from working together, and she looks forward to building a future for Orem that honors its past while embracing new opportunities ahead.  

Karen received a degree at BYU in regional planning, which gives her the expertise to help navigate the challenges of growth while preserving the character of our community.

Brigham Young University Bachelor of Science (BS), Geography, Urban and Regional Planning Emphasis

Utah Valley Hospital Chaplaincy/Spiritual Care · (2016 – 2017) Earned enough Clinical

Pastoral Education Units to qualify for board certification.