ABOUT Michelle

Michelle Kaufusi is a lifelong Utahn raised in Provo, grounded in the values of personal responsibility, faith, and freedom. Those principles came from her hardworking, God-fearing grandparents in Manti, who taught their family to care for one another, help neighbors, and not wait for the government to do what you can do yourself.

Michelle was raised as one of seven children by a single mother who worked the graveyard shift to keep food on the table. Each one of the children was working by the age of twelve. “No one looked to the government to solve problems - we worked harder.” These principles were deeply woven into Michelle’s character - dignity comes from effort, freedom requires responsibility, and strong families - not big government - are the backbone of a strong community.

She and her husband of 38 years have five children and seven grandchildren, and preserving what makes Utah County great is deeply personal to her. They are a tight-knit, football-loving family.

Michelle’s public service began around kitchen tables and neighborhood schools, eventually leading to the Provo School Board and then two terms as Mayor of Provo. She built a reputation for active listening, uniting people around a shared vision, and making tough decisions with limited resources - always anchored in the family values that define this community.

Staying true to those values, she balanced budgets, strengthened public safety, improved infrastructure, expanded parks and recreation, and created an environment where families and businesses could thrive. Under her leadership, Provo earned national recognition for quality of life and fiscal responsibility. She brings real-world leadership, sound judgment, and a proven record of delivering meaningful results for families, taxpayers, and communities.