Salt Lake mayor gives endorsement in race to replace her

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) - Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski is endorsing Utah Sen. Luz Escamilla to replace her as leader of the capital city.

The Deseret News reports that Biskupski cited Escamilla’s record working on behalf of minority groups as a state lawmaker.

Escamilla is running against Erin Mendenhall, a city councilwoman who rose to prominence as an anti-pollution activist.

Mendenhall garnered the most votes in the Democratic primary and has been endorsed by former mayoral opponent David Ibarra, among others.

She and Biskupski have clashed over a massive planned shipping-hub project that critics say would degrade the environment.

Biskupski was the city’s first openly lesbian mayor. She decided not to run again after one term, citing an undisclosed family situation.

Escamilla would be the first Latina mayor if elected.