Erin Mendenhall

Mendenhall was born in Arizona and moved to Sandy, Utah, when she was seven in 1987. Her father, Don, died from Hodgkin lymphoma when she was 14 in 1994. She graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Arts degree in gender studies and a certificate in Non Profit Leadership and Management. In 2019, she earned a Master of Science degree in science and technology from the University of Utah.

After college, Mendenhall conducted air-quality testing and internal auditing at Sterigenics, which sterilizes medical equipment.

She first entered politics as an air-quality activist with Utah Moms for Clean Air, but in 2010 moved on to co-found the non-profit Breathe Utah because "she quickly realized she could more effectively fight for changes as someone sitting at the decision-making table rather than protesting outside the door."

It was reported in November 2014 that Erin Mendenhall and fellow council member Kyle LaMalfa were having an extramarital affair. She and LaMalfa disclosed their relationship to City Attorney Margaret Plane, who stated there were no legal or ethical problems, contradicting a Utah state law at the time and until 2019, which banned adultery and fornication. She and LaMalfa later married, and now have three children. As of 2026, Mendenhall and LaMalfa are filing for divorce.

The Utah (Pantages) Theater Sale and Demolition Controversy

The Utah Theater, once known as the Pantages Theater, was a more than century old performing arts hall located on Main Street in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City. Despite its former majesty, the theater had fallen into disrepair and stood vacant. The theater was purchased by the Salt Lake City Redevelopment Agency under the leadership of then Mayor Ralph Becker, with the promise it would be saved and restored to its former glory.

While the estimated value of the theater was around $20 million, it was eventually handed over to the developer Hines for free, even after it was discovered that they had made questionable donations to Mendenhall's mayoral campaign. Despite community efforts to save the theater, including an approved petition to add the site to the National Register of Historic Places, as well as lingering legal questions about the agreement with the developer, Mendenhall and the City Council allowed it to be demolished.

In an August 30, 2024 Salt Lake Tribune article, Hines senior director Dusty Harris was quoted stating that "While current economic conditions limit our ability to launch the initially planned project for this site at this time..." The article highlighted the developer's request to pave part of the theater property as a "temporary" step, and insists it remains "committed" to building a 31-story high-rise with luxury units and other amenities. Many are questioning why the Hines deal hasn't been cancelled years after it was inked. With the theater was demolished, local businesses evicted, and deadline after deadline having passed with no consequences for Hines, they garner all the benefits of the property rising in value as some of the most prime real estate in the capital city, while the taxpayers get almost nothing but unfulfilled promises and a possible asphalt parking lot in return.