Kent Davis, a Republican, is running for Salt Lake County attorney in the Nov. 3 general election. His opponent is Sim Gill, a Democrat.

Davis is certified for the ballot, according to BallotReady election data. Asked in the Millcreek Times candidate questionnaire why he is seeking the office, Davis said, "I was asked to take on a problem I'm unusually well suited to solve, and I would have been ashamed to say no because I was too comfortable." He added, "My platform is simple: competence and accountability, not party labels."

In our questionnaire, Davis described the role: "The DA is the county's lawyer, and the first job is advice that holds up in court."

Candidate information

Residence: Davis said in our questionnaire, "We live in Cottonwood Heights."

Family: "My wife, Katie, is an attorney and leads an international conservation nonprofit, and we have two children," Davis said in our questionnaire.

Education: Davis said in our questionnaire, "Juris Doctor, University of Oregon School of Law, where I was Editor-in-Chief of the Oregon Review of International Law. Executive MBA, Quantic School of Business and Technology. Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, University of Arizona. 2012 Pat Tillman Scholar."

Party: Asked about party affiliation, Davis said in our questionnaire, "Republican. But party has no place in a charging decision."

Experience and public service

Asked about his work history, Davis said in our questionnaire, "I was a Deputy District Attorney in the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office from 2017 to 2021, where I prosecuted cases ranging from major crimes to domestic violence to special victims and murders."

He continued, "Before that, I was a public defender with the Pima County Legal Defender, an attorney advisor at the U.S. Department of Justice, and a law clerk to U.S. District Judge Stephen McNamee. I also served in the U.S. Army with two combat deployments to Iraq … I earned the Bronze Star on that second tour."

Davis said he is "Corporate Counsel and Director of Cybersecurity at Woodbury Corporation, a Salt Lake City commercial real estate firm."

On previous offices, Davis said in our questionnaire, "I have never held elected office, I'm not seeking a political career, and I've committed to serve no more than two terms if elected to this position."

On the issues

Differences from other candidates: Davis said in our questionnaire, "A December 2025 legislative audit (Report 2025-31) found the office's screeners made filing decisions without written standards, that 48% of a 50-case sample of declined felony cases lacked detailed reasoning (p. 8), and that the office lacks adequate performance metrics. I will put charging standards in writing, document decisions, and publish performance metrics … so voters can judge the results."

Data centers and development: Asked how he would advise commissioners, Davis said in our questionnaire, "On data centers, a blanket ban invites costly litigation." He said he would support "conditional use permits, independent water and power impact studies before approval, closed loop cooling instead of drawing on culinary water, noise and setback limits to protect canyon neighbors, and a guarantee that residents do not subsidize a facility's power."

He added, "Every agreement should carry enforceable performance terms, and the public should see the deal before it is signed."

Davis also said on his campaign website that he would focus resources on shootings, domestic-violence-related firearm cases and repeat violent offenders, and would expand drug courts and partner with treatment providers.

Endorsements

The following endorsements are listed on Davis' campaign endorsements page:

  • Dirk Burton, City of West Jordan
  • Tish Buroker, City of Riverton
  • Lorin Palmer, City of Herriman
  • Kristie Overson, City of Taylorsville
  • Natalie Hall, City of Bluffdale

Candidate responses were collected through the Millcreek Times candidate questionnaire. Answers are presented in the candidate's own words and have not been edited for content.