About Karen
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.
Endorsed By Orem Resident, Governor Gary Herbert
“I’ve known Karen McCandless for years and have always been impressed by her genuine love for the City of Orem and her lifetime commitment to service. Her experience as former CEO of Community Action Services and as a member of the City Council gives her expertise to help Orem lead on key regional issues. Above all, Karen’s integrity and collaborative spirit make her an excellent choice as mayor to bring people together and focus on the issues that are facing Orem today.”
-Governor Herbert
Experience You Can Trust
Karen moved to Orem in 1991 and still lives in the very first home she and her late husband, Don, purchased. Karen and her late husband, Don, raised their two daughters together.
Experience
Community Action Services and Food Bank: Chief Executive Office, May 2017 – June 2025
Orem City Councilmember: February 2001-January 2014
Congressman John Curtis, Member, Women’s Advisory Council: December 2019 – December 2024
Utah County Utah County Planning Commission: December 2014 – December 2021
BYU Civic Engagement External Advisory Committee Member: February 2015 – Present
Utah Valley Interfaith Association Board Member: January 2017 – June 2025
Utah Valley University Advisory Board Member, College of Health and Public
Service (CHPS): May 2022 – Present
Utah Valley University Interfaith Community Advisory Board Member: October 2019 – Present
Neighborworks Mountain Country Home Solutions and Sun Country Homes
Board Member: April 2017 – June 2025
Family Haven Board Member: January 2014 to July 2025
Hale Center Theater Orem Board of Trustees Member: May 2014 – December 2024
Utah Homelessness Council Member: November 2022 – April 2024
UServeUtah Commissioner: May 2017-December 2022
Various leadership positions in local Republican precinct
Recognitions
Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce Chamber Champion: September 2023
Woman of the Year Recipient, by Utah Business: September 2022
Fab 40 Recipient, by Utah Vally Magazine: March 2022
Walter C. Orem Award, by City of Orem: October 2017
Catherine Caputo Hoskins Emerging Leader Award, by Community Action Partnership of Utah: April 2016
Champion of Inclusion: Community Partner, by Utah Valley University/UVU Strategic Inclusion Plan Committee: March 2016
Platform
As mayor, I will prioritize listening to residents and creating space for respectful dialogue. Every decision that comes before the mayor and council deserves careful consideration, and I will approach each issue with an open mind and a commitment to understanding all perspectives. My goal is to foster transparency, grow trust, and ensure that the voices of Orem residents are truly heard in city government.
Karen's Plans
Traffic and Infrastructure
Fact:
Orem is uniquely situated between the mountains and Utah Lake. As I often say, “All roads lead through Orem.” That’s both a blessing and a challenge. It’s a blessing because our commercial corridors thrive, generating the sales tax revenue that helps keep property taxes low.
It’s a challenge because we face congestion, long wait times, and air quality concerns.
Karen’s Plan:
I will continue to work closely with UDOT to improve efficiency on state roads in Orem—especially State Street—through projects like signal optimization and improved traffic flow. I will advocate for a comprehensive transportation plan that gives equal priority to bicycle and pedestrian safety, including filling sidewalk gaps and exploring grade-separated trail options.
Adding dedicated bus lanes such as UVX would only increase congestion. Instead, I will collaborate with UTA to find ways to make existing bus routes faster and more reliable without worsening traffic.
Housing
Fact:
Affordable, owner-occupied housing is increasingly hard to find in Orem.
Karen’s Plan:
While many factors that affect housing prices are outside a city’s control, cities do have authority over land use and zoning. I will examine zoning options that encourage owner-occupied housing affordable to first-time homebuyers—homes that qualify for public and private homebuyer assistance programs.
This could include infill projects, townhomes, duplexes, or other “missing middle” housing types—not large, high-density apartment complexes. These ideas would be developed with plenty of public input to ensure they fit neighborhood character and community goals.
Orem already has a large rental inventory. I do not support bringing back the former State Street Master Plan, nor do I support new very high-density apartment projects.
Economic Development
Facts:
Nearly one-quarter of Orem’s city revenue comes from sales tax, and Orem is home to Utah Valley University (UVU)—a major economic and community anchor.
However, only about 10,500 residents both live and work in Orem, meaning many commute elsewhere for jobs.
Karen’s Plan:
- Support and grow local retail businesses.
Orem has a strong tradition of small, family-owned businesses that give our city its character. I will host regular business roundtables to identify barriers—such as zoning or permitting issues—and make sure Orem remains a place where local businesses can start, grow, and thrive. These businesses generate the sales tax revenue that helps keep property taxes low. - Attract and retain non-retail employers.
Orem needs a healthy mix of industries that provide good jobs close to home. I will request a comprehensive business inventory to understand what we have and where the gaps are. Then, working with business leaders and residents, we’ll target the kinds of companies that fit Orem’s strengths and values. - Partner with Utah Valley University as an innovation and workforce development hub.
UVU is one of Orem’s greatest assets. I will collaborate with UVU to expand its role as an innovation center and business incubator, helping entrepreneurs launch and grow right here. By connecting students, faculty, and local investors, we can strengthen Orem’s innovation economy and keep local talent in our community. Orem can work closely with UVU to help connect those entering their careers with the best opportunity to stay in Orem, if that is what they choose. - Be a strong regional player in economic development.
Economic growth doesn’t stop at city boundaries. Orem must have a strong voice in regional partnerships through groups like the Utah Valley Chamber of Commerce, Mountainland Association of Governments, and neighboring cities. I will work to ensure Orem helps shape regional strategies for workforce development, transportation, and housing—so our businesses and residents benefit from a coordinated, regional approach.
Other Topics
Non-Partisan Race
While I have a history of active involvement in the Republican party, including precinct leadership positions, I made the decision not to seek the endorsement of the Utah County Republican Party or any political party in this nonpartisan race.
Why? Because local leadership should be about service — not sides.
As mayor, my focus will be on the day-to-day needs of our city: making our neighborhoods safer, ensuring reliable infrastructure, fostering responsible growth, and actively championing our families and local businesses. I will be an uncompromising steward of taxpayer dollars, ensuring every Orem resident’s money is spent wisely, efficiently, and transparently for the betterment of our entire community. These aren’t partisan issues — they’re Orem issues.
I’ve worked with people across the political spectrum to get things done—from food drives to parks and recreation—and I’ll continue to do that as your mayor. I’m running to represent every resident, not just one party’s platform. I want every resident to feel like their voice can be heard in Orem City, no matter their background or party affiliation.
Let’s keep our city focused on solutions, not political parties. That’s what Orem deserves!
UTOPIA
Fiber is something I care a lot about because it’s made a big difference for families and businesses here in Orem. Back in the early 2000s, the big internet companies told us fiber wasn’t the future. They said copper, satellite, and cell networks would be “good enough.” But me and other city council members felt fiber was the future, and if we didn’t step up, Orem would get left behind. So in 2004, the Orem City Council unanimously voted to join Utopia and teamed up with other cities to build a network ourselves. Sort of like cities building an airport and leasing space to airlines. At first, it was rough. The federal government rescinded promised funding, not enough people signed up, and Orem and other cities had to help cover some of the early bond payments (UTOPIA Legacy bonds).
Things changed when the Utah Infrastructure Agency (UIA) was created. Instead of trying to build everywhere at once, UIA focused on neighborhoods that really wanted fiber. That worked. Today, subscriber revenues cover the costs, the system is profitable, and it’s still growing.
Here’s the part that matters most for taxpayers: Orem isn’t paying for UIA’s bonds anymore—subscribers are. Additionally, UTOPIA and UIA are even covering about 30% of the UTOPIA Legacy bonds, which helps keep Orem’s yearly pledge on those bonds steady. As more people sign up, the covered percentage will grow. And once the UIA bonds are paid off, the money that’s been going toward debt will start flowing back to the UTOPIA Legacy bond cities, including Orem. The plan is to repay every dollar Orem has ever put in, with interest.
So yes, it was bumpy at first, but today Orem has world-class internet, our investment is working, and in the end we’ll be made whole financially. Even UTOPIA’s critics acknowledge its popularity and the good it is doing in Orem. We couldn’t have done it alone because it would have been too expensive, and state law doesn’t allow cities to build and run their own networks. But by teaming up, we’ve made sure Orem families and businesses aren’t left behind.
2012 Tax Vote
The Great Recession took its toll on cities around the country. Many cities had to make the difficult decision to either raise taxes or severely cut crucial services. In August 2012, the Orem City Council (including myself) voted to raise taxes about $4.25 a month to continue to provide the essential services residents expected from the city.
Midtown Village/Midtown360
In January 2003, the Orem City Council (including myself) followed existing future planning recommendations and approved the PD23 zone to allow for the building of Midtown Village. My decision was based on providing a housing type not available at the time in Orem and to preserve single family neighborhoods (January 7, 2003 City Council minutes). What happened after the zoning approval is out of the city council’s control, as it is the developer’s responsibility to see the project through. To reiterate what I have said in other settings, I do not support the now-repealed State Street Master Plan and I do not support filling Orem with additional high density housing.
Non-Profit Operation
Covid took its toll on our society, non-profits included. Fortunately, our generous community gave the agency I ran money to help those less fortunate. The numbers shown on the tax forms indicate surplus money being spent to help those less fortunate. There was never any debt.
Transit
Orem’s traffic is congested. I do not support bringing dedicated bus rapid transit lanes to State Street. It would only increase the congestion we have right now. I also don’t support it because I don’t support the high density housing on State Street that may need to be in place to make it viable. Transit is an option some Orem residents rely on and I generally support it. I particularly support the Utah Transit Authority’s efforts to increase the efficiency of Route 850, the one that goes down State Street. I have a strong relationship with UTA administration and will work to increase transit efficiency without BRT/UVX.
Money from 501(c)4 organization (what is being referred to as “Dark Money")
I have not received any money from a 501(c)4, and I commit to not accept any money from a 501(c)4.
Events
Oremfest Parade
Orem, UT 
(past) 
Supporters
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