Who is Michelle Kaufusi, and why are we endorsing her for Utah County Commission Seat A?

“Michelle Kaufusi brings nearly a decade of executive leadership as Mayor of Provo, where she balanced complex budgets, strengthened public safety, and secured over $300 million in outside funding for critical infrastructure. Her record earned Provo national recognition for quality of life and fiscal responsibility — experience that translates directly to the challenges facing Utah County. With deep community roots and a lifelong commitment to conservative, family-centered values, Michelle has the judgment and proven track record to serve effectively on the Commission.”

— Utah County Regional Advisory Board · Meet the Board →

 

Why This Seat Matters

Utah County Commission Seat A is one of the most consequential local offices in the state. The Commission oversees a county that is growing rapidly, managing complex budgets, public safety coordination, transportation planning, and long-term capital investments that will shape Utah County for decades. Whoever holds this seat needs more than good intentions — they need proven executive experience, the discipline to make hard decisions under pressure, and a track record of actually delivering results. The November 3, 2026 election will determine who fills that role.

 

Meet Michelle

Michelle Kaufusi is a lifelong Utahn, raised in Provo on the values her grandparents brought from Manti: personal responsibility, faith, and the conviction that strong families — not big government — are the backbone of a strong community. She was one of seven children raised by a single mother who worked the graveyard shift. Every one of those kids was working by age twelve. “No one looked to the government to solve problems — we worked harder.” That’s not a campaign line. It’s a lived reality that still shapes how Michelle leads.

She and her husband Steve have been married 38 years. They have five children and seven grandchildren, and preserving what makes Utah County great is, as she puts it, deeply personal. Michelle’s public service grew from the ground up — kitchen tables, neighborhood schools, the Provo School Board, and eventually two terms as Mayor of Provo. As Mayor, she built a reputation for active listening, uniting people around a shared vision, and making tough decisions with limited resources. Under her leadership, Provo balanced budgets year after year, strengthened public safety, improved infrastructure, expanded parks and recreation, and earned national recognition for quality of life and fiscal responsibility. She secured over $300 million in outside funding for critical infrastructure through disciplined planning, clear priorities, and strong relationships at the state and federal level. That’s nearly a decade of executive experience doing the actual job. It’s exactly what Utah County needs on the Commission.

 

What She’s Running On

Efficient, Small Government — Michelle’s approach as Mayor was simple: deliver results while respecting taxpayers. She streamlined operations, improved service delivery, and made decisions based on data and outcomes rather than politics. She balanced complex budgets year after year and led a large organization with genuine accountability and discipline.

Public Safety — Public safety was Michelle’s top priority as Mayor, and it will be on the Commission. She worked closely with police, fire, and emergency services to ensure reliable, high-quality service while remaining fiscally responsible.

Long-term Capital Planning and Transportation — Michelle secured over $300 million in outside funding for Provo through disciplined planning and strong intergovernmental relationships. Utah County is growing fast — the Commission needs someone who plans strategically rather than reacts.

 

The Field

Michelle Kaufusi did not secure the nomination at the Utah County convention, but she qualified for the June 23, 2026 Republican primary through the candidate petition process. She is running without the title of incumbent but with something more valuable: nearly a decade of actual executive experience doing this job at the municipal level. That’s why we’re proud to endorse her.

 

Get to Know Michelle

Want to learn more? Visit TeamKaufusi.com or support her campaign.

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 →