Newton campaign: In politics, age is a virtue

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Salt Lake County Councilwoman Aimee Winder Newton isn't shy about letting people know she is turning 40 on Saturday.

In fact, she's touting it. It's the theme of a fundraiser that night for her campaign to retain the District 3 council seat she inherited from David Wilde when he took a job in the county district attorney's office. A ticket costs, naturally, $40.

"I've had people tell me they thought I was in my early 30s," said Newton, formerly a spokeswoman for Taylorsville City. "It's flattering, but probably confusing when they hear I have an 18-year-old and have been involved in the community for 20 years.

"Not many people want to brag that they are getting up in age, but for politics, it's good to have a few years behind me," she added. "It's so backwards."

Winder, a Republican, will face Democrat Dan Snarr, the former mayor of Murray, in the November election.

— Mike Gorrell