Tamara Tran, a Korean American adoptee who drew attention after becoming mayor of Kaysville, Utah, four years ago, has officially announced her bid for reelection.
Born in Seoul, Mayor Tran was adopted at a young age and raised in Utah. She studied political science at Brigham Young University. She later met and married a Vietnamese American who was also adopted as a child.
“Reuniting my husband with his biological parents and five siblings from Vietnam here in the U.S. helped me rediscover the value of public service and family,” Mayor Tran said.
Following graduation, she developed a strong interest in urban development. She joined the Kaysville City Planning Commission and later won a seat on the City Council, campaigning on a message of “peace and unity” and shared values. After completing her council term in 2021, she was elected mayor the following year and has led Kaysville’s administration for the past four years.
Mayor Tran also recently located her biological mother in Korea through DNA testing. Her son has since married a Korean immigrant, further strengthening her family’s ties to Korea.
She announced her reelection campaign in early June, stating, “After serving four years, I believe there is still more work to be done. I will do my best to be a more approachable and accessible mayor with continued support from the community.”
Only two candidates registered for the Kaysville mayoral race, so no primary election will be held on August 12. The general election is scheduled for November 4, with former City Council member Tim Hodges running against Mayor Tran.
Located in Davis County, Kaysville has a population of about 33,000 and six active city council members. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, the Asian and Pacific Islander population in the city was 190.
BY BRIAN CHOI [choi.inseong@koreadaily.com]
