Who is Erik Craythorne, and why are we endorsing him for Utah House of Representatives, House District 13?

“Erik Craythorne is a West Point native and small business owner with over two decades of public service, including 13 years as Mayor, where he guided his community through significant growth while keeping taxes low and government accountable. His deep community roots and commitment to economic opportunity, strong schools, and responsible governance make him exactly the kind of doer the Doers Network is proud to support.”

— Northern Utah Regional Advisory Board · Meet the Board →

Why This Seat Matters

The Utah House of Representatives shapes state policy on everything from economic regulation and school funding to how governments spend taxpayer dollars. House District 13 covers the West Point area of Davis County — a community that has seen real growth over the past two decades and deserves a representative who understands what that growth looks like on the ground. The seat is open, and a competitive four-way Republican primary on June 23, 2026 will decide who carries District 13 to the Capitol.

Meet Erik

Erik Craythorne was born and raised in West Point, left long enough to earn a business degree from the University of Utah and serve a two-year mission in South Korea, and then came back. That choice says something. He returned home to work alongside his family in their excavation and home-building businesses in Syracuse — building homes, shaping neighborhoods, and developing a firsthand understanding of what it actually costs to run a small business and raise a family in a growing community. He and his wife, Jil — who he first met in first grade — raised six children in the community they both grew up in. They’re now grandparents to six, with a seventh on the way. Erik will tell you that “Grandpa” is one of the titles he values most. He’s also the first to say that none of his years of public service would have been possible without Jil’s steadiness behind him.

His path into elected office started in 2001, when he was elected to the West Point City Council at 27. Seven years working on growth, infrastructure, and public safety led to his appointment as Mayor when the sitting mayor was elected to the Davis County Commission. Erik held that role for 13 years — guiding West Point through significant growth without losing its character, keeping taxes low, and building the regional relationships that make good government work. He helped found the North Davis Fire District and served on its board for 15 years. He represented Davis County on the Wasatch Front Regional Council, served on the Davis Council of Governments, and worked on the Legislative Policy Committee for the Utah League of Cities and Towns to make sure local governments had a voice at the state level. In 2022, he chose not to seek re-election — stepping back deliberately to spend more time with family and consider what came next. This is what came next.

What He’s Running On

Economic Opportunity — Erik knows what it costs to run a small business and raise a family in a growing community. His position is that government’s job is to get out of the way — cut unnecessary regulations, keep the budget honest, and let families plan their own futures.

Education That Puts Students First — Erik believes strong schools come from decisions made close to the classroom, not handed down from above. He supports parent choice, respects teachers, and thinks the best educational outcomes happen when the people who actually know the kids are the ones making the calls.

Accountable Government — Thirteen years as mayor gave Erik a clear-eyed view of how government can either serve people well or waste their money. His standard is straightforward: taxpayer dollars go to core services, they’re spent carefully, and results are visible. No overreach. No waste.

The Field

Erik Craythorne ran uncontested at the Northern Utah convention, securing the Republican nomination. He brings something no opponent could match: two decades of actual governing experience right here in this community. He’s run a city through growth, managed budgets, built regional partnerships, and earned a reputation for keeping taxes low and government accountable. That kind of track record is exactly what District 13 needs at the state level. That’s why we’re proud to endorse him.

Get to Know Erik

Want to learn more? Visit Erik4Utah.com.

The DOERS Network endorses candidates through a rigorous local vetting process led by regional advisory boards made up of community leaders who know their counties best. Learn more about how endorsements work →