SALT LAKE CITY — A coin toss decided who will fill a vacant seat on the Salt Lake City Council after members deadlocked Tuesday following hours of interviews and multiple rounds of voting.
Jennifer Napier-Pearce, a former journalist and public affairs professional, was selected to represent District 4 after a coin flip broke a tie between her and small business owner Scott Lyttle.
The council interviewed 27 applicants for the seat, which became vacant after Eva Lopez Chavez was removed following a residency investigation and months of scrutiny after allegations of inappropriate conduct.
Napier-Pearce called the coin flip process “whack-a-doodle,” but said she is ready to get to work.
“District 4 residents deserve the stability,” Napier-Pearce said. “They deserve somebody who has a voice. They haven’t had a voice at the table for a little bit.”
WATCH: Lopez Chavez to appeal decision that forced her to vacate Salt Lake City Council seat
Lopez Chavez to appeal decision that forced her to vacate Salt Lake City Council seat
Napier-Pearce told council members she would bring the skills she developed during her journalism career to the council, including research, listening and asking difficult questions. She was previously the Salt Lake Tribune’s executive editor, and then an advisor and communications director for Gov. Spencer Cox.
“I don’t pretend to have all the answers,” she said. “I would do the homework. I would ask hard questions.”
Council member Alejandro Puy said Napier-Pearce’s experience and passion made her a strong choice.
“It’s just an incredible boost of energy for the district,” Puy said.
Napier-Pearce was sworn in minutes after the coin toss and immediately joined the council as members continued city business, including budget discussions.
District 4 includes much of downtown Salt Lake City. The seat will go up on up on the municipal ballot in the 2027 election, and Napier-Pearce said she intends to run for the seat next year, according to the Salt Lake Tribune’s report.
