Salt Lake County, Utah

Utah House District 36

2 candidates are tracked for Utah House District 36 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Jim Dunnigan and Blake Townsend. Candidate information follows official Salt Lake County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Jim Dunnigan (Republican), Blake Townsend (Democratic) are on the November 3 ballot for Utah House District 36; Jim Dunnigan is the sitting member, per the Legislature's official roster (le.utah.gov). Party nominees were chosen at the April conventions and the June 23 primary; unaffiliated candidates qualified by petition. The field is the Lieutenant Governor's 2026 candidate filings list (Election Candidate status). This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Jim Dunnigan, is on the ballot.

Utah › Salt Lake County › Utah House District 36

Jim Dunnigan

Republican Incumbent

Top priorities

Opposing increases to the food tax, gas tax and property taxes
Lower taxes and fewer regulations to support business and job creation
Keeping education decisions with Utah families rather than federal government

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Jim Dunnigan is the Republican candidate for Utah House District 36 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Lieutenant Governor's 2026 candidate filings list (Election Candidate status). Jim Dunnigan is a sitting member for the district, per the Legislature's official roster (le.utah.gov). Dunnigan is a small business owner who has lived in Taylorsville for 48 years and holds a B.S. in Business Management from the University of Utah, per campaign site. He served on Taylorsville's inaugural City Council from 1996 to 2002 and has served in the Utah House since 2003, per campaign site; KSL.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Blake Townsend

Democratic

Biography

Blake Townsend is the Democratic candidate for Utah House District 36 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Lieutenant Governor's 2026 candidate filings list (Election Candidate status). No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.

Next on your ballotUtah House District 37

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Utah House District 36 in 2026?

When is the Utah House District 36 election in Utah?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Utah are on the Utah election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Salt Lake County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Salt Lake County and state election office filings, last verified September 27, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Utah election office, or see the full Salt Lake County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Salt Lake County ballot

46 tracked races in Salt Lake County, Utah. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Utah House District 38 Utah House District 39 Utah House District 40 See all 46 Salt Lake County races

Candidate profiles

Jim Dunnigan, full profile Blake Townsend, full profile Official Utah election office