Our District.
Our Neighbors.
Our Future.
House District 40 is a working community at the heart of the Salt Lake Valley — home to the proud cities of Murray and Midvale. Our neighbors deserve leadership that fights for affordable housing, cleaner air, and an economy that works for everyone.
Utah House District 40 at a Glance
Utah House District 40 is located in central Salt Lake County along the Wasatch Front — one of the most densely connected corridors in the state, anchored by the cities of Murray and Midvale. The district sits at the geographic and economic hub of the Salt Lake Valley, with direct access to TRAX and FrontRunner transit lines that connect residents to jobs across the region.
Families here are blue-collar, professional, immigrant, multigenerational, and everything in between. The district has historically been competitive, and it is home to a growing number of voters who are ready for representation that reflects their everyday challenges — not the priorities of corporate donors or ideological extremes.
Dr. Wendy Davis, a 20-year South-Central Valley resident, is running to bring bold, people-first leadership to House District 40 in the 2026 Utah State Legislature election.
The Issues Facing Our Community in 2026
From skyrocketing rents to the brown cloud hanging over the valley, the people of Murray and Midvale are dealing with real, urgent challenges. Here's what matters most to House District 40 residents.
Housing Affordability & the Cost of Living
Utah currently faces a shortage of roughly 50,000 affordable rental units, and experts warn the state could fall more than 200,000 homes short of demand by 2055. Families in Murray and Midvale are feeling this crisis now — in rising rents, bidding wars for starter homes, and the quiet exodus of longtime residents who can no longer afford to stay.
Healthcare Access & Medicaid Protection
As federal budget cuts threaten Medicaid, thousands of Salt Lake County residents, including people with disabilities, seniors, and low-income families, face uncertainty about their coverage. For many families in HD 40, Medicaid is not a safety net: it's a lifeline.
Public Education & School Funding
Murray operates its own school district, one of the few cities in Utah to do so, giving HD 40 a direct stake in state education funding decisions. Parents and teachers across the district are concerned about classroom resources, teacher pay, and ensuring that public dollars stay in public schools.
Air Quality Along the Wasatch Front
The Salt Lake Valley's notorious wintertime inversions trap dangerous levels of particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides — with HD 40 communities in the direct impact zone. Utah has set an ambitious goal to reduce Wasatch Front air emissions by 50% from 2017 levels by 2033, but meaningful action requires sustained legislative will.
Wages, Workers & Economic Opportunity
Families in Murray and Midvale are working harder than ever but falling further behind. Cost-of-living measures including standardized wage rates for public projects, pricing transparency, and limits on noncompete agreements failed to pass in the 2026 session. Our working families can't wait another two years.
Transit, Transportation & Smart Growth
With the state's TRAX and FrontRunner lines converging at Murray Station, HD 40 is at the center of Utah's transit investment. But growing transit access without affordable housing nearby only deepens displacement. The district needs a legislator who understands that smart growth means keeping existing residents in their communities.