Mike Winder

Winder was born in Salt Lake City, Utah and graduated from Taylorsville High School.{{cite web|url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/54178751-90/county-economic-former-lake.html.csp|title=Winder touts track record in mayoral campaign|website=Sltrib.com|access-date=2017-08-24}}{{cite web|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/347420/13-NAMED-STERLING-SCHOLARS.html?pg=all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408225911/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/347420/13-NAMED-STERLING-SCHOLARS.html?pg=all|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 8, 2014|title=13 NAMED STERLING SCHOLARS|date=14 April 1994|website=Deseretnews.com|access-date=2017-08-24}} From 1995 to 1997 he was a missionary in Taipei, Taiwan for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He holds a Masters in Business Administration and an Honors B.A. degree in history from the University of Utah. He has also completed an executive leadership program with Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.{{cite web|url=http://www.hinckley.utah.edu/alumni/spotlight/Alumni%20Spotlight%20Mike%20Winder.pdf|title=Mike Winder|publisher=Hinckley Institute of Politics|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100609204040/http://www.hinckley.utah.edu/alumni/spotlight/Alumni%20Spotlight%20Mike%20Winder.pdf|archive-date=2010-06-09}}

Winder is married to Karyn Hermansen, who was elected to the Granite School District Board of Education in November 2014.{{cite web |url=https://scf10.slco.org/clerk/elections/results/public/ |title=Election Results |website=scf10.slco.org |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129043201/https://scf10.slco.org/clerk/elections/results/public/ |archive-date=29 November 2014 |url-status=dead}} They have four children.{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SLTB&p_theme=sltb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=11C4D19C16EEC210&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=GOP star a political force|newspaper=Salt Lake Tribune|date=October 15, 2010|access-date=December 21, 2011}}

Winder was Business Development Manager for West Valley City from 2000 to 2004, during which time he also chaired the Chamber West Economic Development Committee.{{cite news| url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-20576847_ITM | title=Forty under 40: rising stars.(Cover Story)|website=Accessmylibrary.com|access-date=2017-08-24}}

From 2004 to 2009 he was vice president of marketing for Winder Farms.{{cite web|url=http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_12031165|title=Utah Local News|website=Sltrib.com|access-date=2017-08-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030422/http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_12031165|archive-date=2016-03-04|url-status=dead}} He was director of public affairs for The Summit Group Communications from 2009 to 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705394403/Winder-resigns-from-Summit-Group-firm-after-writing-news-stories-under-fake-name.html?pg=all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408230524/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705394403/Winder-resigns-from-Summit-Group-firm-after-writing-news-stories-under-fake-name.html?pg=all|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 8, 2014|title=Winder resigns from Summit Group firm after writing news stories under fake name|first=Jared|last=Page|date=15 November 2011|website=Deseretnews.com|access-date=2017-08-24}}

Winder founded Neptune Strategies in 2012, a marketing and development firm.{{cite web |url=http://www.utahregistry.com/neptune-strategies-llc |title=Neptune Strategies |publisher=Utah Registries Inc. |access-date=October 6, 2016}} His principal client has been Friends of Traditional Banking, a Super PAC, where he has served as executive director.{{cite web |url=http://docquery.fec.gov/cgi-bin/forms/C00517276/1084313/h4| title=Disbursement for allocated federal/nonfederal activity | publisher=Federal Elections Commission |access-date=October 6, 2016}}{{cite web |url=https://friendsoftraditionalbanking.com/index.php/our-leadership |publisher=Friends of Traditional Banking |title=Our Leadership |access-date=October 6, 2016}}

Winder later was employed as a vice president of community development and director of entrepreneurship programs for Zions Bank from 2014 to 2017.{{cite web |url=https://www.zionsbank.com/in-our-community/magazine/2016/julaug/UtahEntrepChall/index.html| title=Utah Entrepreneur Program |publisher=Zion's Bank |access-date=October 6, 2016}} He was hired as economic development manager in 2017 and later promoted to be assistant city manager for the city of Millcreek, Utah following their incorporation.{{cite web |url=https://millcreek.us/directory.aspx?EID=39 |publisher=Millcreek City |title=Staff Directory |access-date=August 11, 2021}} In March 2022, Winder became Millcreek's city manager. {{cite web|url=https://www.millcreekjournal.com/2022/01/25/388284/new-year-new-millcreek-city-manager-mike-winder|title=New year, new Millcreek City Manager—Mike Winder|first=Bridget|last=Raymundo|date=25 January 2022|website=Millcreek Journal|access-date=2022-08-08}}

Winder has served as a member of the state and Salt Lake County Republican Party Executive Committees, deputy campaign manager for Congressman James V. Hansen, and chair of the Research and Policy Committee for the Jon Huntsman, Jr. for Governor campaign. He is the founder of the GenX GOP Network.[http://www.utahpolicy.com/nl/daily978.htm] {{dead link|date=August 2017}}

He was elected to an at-large seat on the West Valley City Council in November 2005 with 71% of the vote over 12-year incumbent Barbara Thomas.{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SLTB&p_theme=sltb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10E0D2E97693F068&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=Victory in hand, Nordfelt makes plans for the future|newspaper=Salt Lake Tribune|date=November 9, 2004|access-date=December 21, 2011|first=Derek P.|last=Jensen}}

He was elected on November 3, 2009 as the seventh mayor of West Valley City, Utah, with 76% of the vote; his opponent was Kevin Fayles.{{cite web|url=https://secure.slco.org/clerk/elections/results/results_arch/2009general.html|title=Gems Election Results\website=Secure.slco.org|access-date=2017-08-24}}

At 29, he was the youngest council person in city history, and when sworn in on January 4, 2010, at age 33, he became the youngest mayor in city history.{{cite web|url=http://www.sltrib.com/ci_13764997?IADID=Search-www.sltrib.com-www.sltrib.com|title=Utah Local News - Salt Lake City News|website=Sltrib.com|access-date=2017-08-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303191006/http://www.sltrib.com/ci_13764997?IADID=Search-www.sltrib.com-www.sltrib.com|archive-date=2016-03-03|url-status=dead}}

In 2012, Winder and former county council member Mark Crockett emerged from the Salt Lake County Republican Convention field of six to face off for the GOP nomination for county mayor.{{cite web|url=https://www.deseret.com/2012/4/14/20501318/mark-crockett-mike-winder-headed-to-gop-primary-in-county-mayor-s-race/|title=Mark Crockett, Mike Winder headed to GOP primary in county mayor's race|first=Lisa Riley|last=Roche|date=14 April 2012|website=Deseretnews.com|access-date=2017-08-24}} Crockett narrowly defeated Winder in the GOP primary election, 50.7% to 49.3%.{{cite web|url=https://www.deseret.com/2012/7/10/20504333/mark-crockett-defeats-mike-winder-in-vote-tally-will-face-ben-mcadams-in-november-for-s-l-co-mayor/|title=Mark Crockett defeats Mike Winder in vote tally, will face Ben McAdams in November for S.L. Co. mayor|first=Jared|last=Page|date=10 July 2012|website=Deseretnews.com|access-date=2017-08-24}}

In 2016, Winder ran for the Utah State House of Representatives, defeating incumbent Fred Cox in the Salt Lake County Republican Convention by a delegate vote of 62% to 38%.{{cite web|url=https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=3785541&itype=CMSID|title=Salt Lake County Republicans defeat two incumbents|first=Lee|last=Davidson|date=17 April 2016|website=sltrib.com|access-date=2021-08-11}} He went on to defeat his Democratic opponent Frank Bedolla 59% to 41%.{{cite web|url=https://slco.org/globalassets/1-site-files/clerk/historical-election-results/2016-11-08-general-election.pdf|title=2016 General Election Results\website=Secure.slco.org|access-date=2021-08-11}} He was sworn in as a member of the Utah State House of Representatives on January 1, 2017.

Winder was re-elected in 2018, following a victory over former-Representative Fred Cox in a Republican county convention rematch 67% to 33%{{cite web|url=https://www.slcogop.com/uploads/1/2/3/6/123682323/2018-04-14___minutes__-__nominating_convention.pdf|title=Salt Lake County Republican Convention 2018 Results\website=slcogop.com|access-date=2021-08-11}} and a general election win over Democrat Robert Burch, Jr. 57% to 43%. Winder was elected to a third term in 2020 in a rematch with Burch, 58% to 42%.{{cite web|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Robert_Burch_Jr.|title=Robert Burch Jr.\website=ballotpedia.org|access-date=2021-08-11}} In 2022, Rep. Winder announced he will be retiring from the legislature, as he was appointed unanimously to be the new city manager for Millcreek. He took office on March 7.{{cite web |last1=Imlay |first1=Ashley |title=Rep. Mike Winder not seeking 4th term, will be city manager for Millcreek |url=https://www.ksl.com/article/50311558/rep-mike-winder-not-seeking-4th-term-will-be-city-manager-for-millcreek |website=KSL.com |access-date=5 April 2022}}

During the 2022 legislative session, Rep. Winder served on the Business, Economic Development, and Labor Appropriations Subcommittee, the House Economic Development and Workforce Services Committee, and the House Transportation Committee,{{cite web |title=Mike Winder |url=https://house.utleg.gov/rep/WINDEM/ |website=House of Representatives-State of Utah |access-date=5 April 2022}} where he served as its vice-chair.{{cite web |title=House Transportation Committee 2022 |url=https://le.utah.gov/committee/committee.jsp?year=2022&com=HSTTRA |website=Utah State Legislature |access-date=5 April 2022}}

In 2022, Rep. Winder sponsored HB178, "Rank Choice Voting Amendments", which would require "ranked-choice voting to be used to multi-candidate primaries and general elections."{{cite web |title=H.B. 178 Ranked-choice Voting Amendments |url=https://le.utah.gov/~2022/bills/static/HB0178.html |website=Utah State Legislature |access-date=1 April 2022}} The bill was going to be considered in committee but was taken off the agenda in the last minute after a big push from groups on the political right to oppose the bill.{{cite web |last1=Schott |first1=Brian |title=Utah House committee abruptly yanks bill expanding use of ranked-choice voting from agenda |url=https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2022/02/09/utah-house-committee/ |website=Utah State Legislature |access-date=1 April 2022}}

In 2022, Rep. Winder voted to cut the income tax rate from 4.95% to 4.85%.{{cite web |title=SB0059 Substitute 4 |url=https://le.utah.gov/DynaBill/svotes.jsp?sessionid=2022GS&voteid=295&house=H |website=Utah State Legislature |access-date=5 April 2022}} He also supported creating a state earned income tax credit. In an op-ed Winder write on Deseret News, he said that "there is no public policy with a better record of drawing potential workers into the workforce than [the Earned Income Tax Credit]," and that "we cannot have an income tax cut without doing something additional that would be significant for Utah's low-and moderate-income working families."{{cite web |last1=Winder |first1=Mike |title=Opinion: Cut taxes, yes, but also help the poor |url=https://www.deseret.com/opinion/2022/1/28/22906534/utah-legislature-tax-cut-help-poor-matching-federal-earned-income-tax-credit-milton-friedman |website=Deseret News |date=28 January 2022 |access-date=1 April 2022}}

In 2022, Rep. Winder voted against banning transgender athletes from participating in female school sports. When Governor Spencer Cox vetoed the bill, Winder was one of only two republicans who opposed the override. In defending his position, Rep. Winder said, "As a fiscal conservative I cannot vote for a bill to throw away tax dollars in a losing lawsuit or to cost the state in economic opportunities all while only serving as a message of hate while being mired in court...Utah can do better!"{{cite web |last1=McKellar |first1=Katie |last2=Beal-Cvetko |first2=Bridger |title=Utah Legislature overrides governor's veto of transgender sports ban |url=https://www.deseret.com/utah/2022/3/25/22996277/you-belong-salt-lake-city-leaders-tell-utah-transgender-youth-veto-override-lgbt-politics-sports-ban |website=Deseret News |date=25 March 2022 |access-date=6 April 2022}}

An historian, he is the author of fourteen published books on Utah and LDS history, including Presidents and Prophets: The Story of America's Presidents and the LDS Church.{{cite web|url=https://www.millennialstar.org/book-review-presidents-and-prophets/|title=Book review: 'Presidents and Prophets'|first=Geoff|last=B|date=31 October 2007|website=Millennialstar.org|access-date=2017-08-24}} In 2005, Winder was appointed by Governor Jon Huntsman Jr. to a four-year term on the Utah Board of State History, and reappointed in 2009. In 2012, he was appointed by Governor Gary Herbert to a four-year term on the Advisory Board for the Office of Museum Services.{{cite web|url=https://heritage.utah.gov/arts-and-museums/arts-museums-boards|title=Boards - Utah Division of Arts & Museums|date=30 May 2013|website=Heritage.utah.gov|access-date=2017-08-24}}{{failed verification|date=August 2017}}

Winder presented an academic paper as part of the Abraham Lincoln Sesquicentennial in 2009 and was published in the Journal of the Theodore Roosevelt Association in 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700259675/Lincoln-frequently-worked-with-LDS-faithful.html?pg=all|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408222237/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700259675/Lincoln-frequently-worked-with-LDS-faithful.html?pg=all|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 8, 2014|title=Lincoln frequently worked with LDS faithful|first=Lynn|last=Arave|date=19 September 2008|website=Deseretnews.com|access-date=2017-08-24}}{{cite web|url=http://www.theodoreroosevelt.org/association/tra.htm|title=Home - Theodore Roosevelt Association|website=Theodoreroosevelt.org|access-date=24 August 2017}} As mayor in 2012, he also authored the first photographic history of West Valley City for Arcadia Publishing.{{cite web|url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/neighborhoodvalleywest/54226821-129/west-valley-history-images.html.csp|title=Utah Local News - Salt Lake City News|newspaper=The Salt Lake Tribune|access-date=2017-08-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170707175604/http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/neighborhoodvalleywest/54226821-129/west-valley-history-images.html.csp|archive-date=2017-07-07|url-status=dead}} Winder is a past president of the Utah British Isles Association.{{cite web|url=https://www.deseret.com/2003/5/1/19719405/great-britain-a-true-friend/|title=Great Britain a true friend|date=1 May 2003|website=Deseretnews.com|access-date=2017-08-24}}

In 2011, Winder wrote articles promoting West Valley City for the Deseret News and KSL.com under the assumed name "Richard Burwash". The name was a pseudonym inspired by a 16th-century ancestor of Winder's. In the articles, Winder quoted himself as mayor.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/13/us/utah-mayor-promoted-town-using-alias.html|title=Mayor Used Alias to Promote Town|newspaper=New York Times|date=November 13, 2011|access-date=December 21, 2011}}{{cite web|url=https://www.deseret.com/2011/11/11/20389531/west-valley-city-mayor-admits-using-false-identity-to-write-news-stories/|title=West Valley City mayor admits using false identity to write news stories|first=Jared|last=Page|date=10 November 2011|website=Deseretnews.com|access-date=2017-08-24}}

Winder confessed to the use of a pseudonym and said he wrote the articles because he was "frustrated that the newspaper had drastically reduced its city government coverage after layoffs last year but not its crime coverage and wanted to try to restore balance."{{cite news|url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/politics/52893782-90/winder-deseret-news-articles.html.csp | title=West Valley mayor admits writing articles | newspaper=Salt Lake Tribune | date=November 11, 2011| access-date=January 17, 2012}} Winder accepted a reprimand by the West Valley City Council, resigned from his job with a public relations firm, and issued a public apology to his constituents.{{cite news|url=https://www.deseret.com/2011/12/6/20390281/wvc-council-openly-reprimands-winder-for-actions-with-the-press/|title=WVC Council openly reprimands Winder for actions with the press|newspaper=Deseret News|location=Salt Lake City|date=December 6, 2011|access-date=December 20, 2011}}{{cite news|url=http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/utes/52925637-78/winder-mayor-news-deseret.html.csp|title=West Valley City Mayor Mike Winder resigns from public affairs job|newspaper=Deseret News|location=Salt Lake City|date=November 16, 2011|access-date=December 21, 2011}}{{cite web |url=http://www.wvc-ut.gov/archives/94/An%20Apology%20From%20Your%20Mayor.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2012-05-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314025425/http://www.wvc-ut.gov/archives/94/An%20Apology%20From%20Your%20Mayor.pdf |archive-date=2012-03-14 }}

In 2017, he sent robocalls to display a false source phone number in telephone caller ID systems, causing it to appear that the calls were coming from the cell phone of the leader of Americans for Prosperity (AFP). AFP had sent out attack mail that falsely criticized Winder's stance on an issue that never came before a vote on the House floor.{{cite news |url=https://archive.sltrib.com/article.php?id=5040623&itype=CMSID |title=Winder at center of conservative infighting over online tax |first=Lee |last=Davidson |work=Salt Lake Tribune |date=March 12, 2017 |access-date=February 28, 2019}} This practice, known as "spoofing", is illegal. AFP filed a complaint with the Utah Attorney General's office, but later withdrew the complaint after receiving a public apology from Winder. Winder said "I was taken aback by the mail piece, and in a knee-jerk reaction sent some calls I shouldn't have. I appreciate Evelyn and her team and look forward to a better working relationship going forward."

In 2017, Winder was also accused of using multiple user accounts to edit the Wikipedia article about him, to promote his accomplishments and remove unflattering information. He refused to confirm or deny the allegation.{{cite news|first=Lee |last=Davidson |url=http://www.sltrib.com/news/5053265-155/mike-winder-accused-of-manipulating-wikipedia?fullpage=1|title=Mike Winder accused of manipulating Wikipedia page with multiple accounts in violation of ethics policy|newspaper=Salt Lake Tribune| date=March 14, 2017|access-date=February 28, 2019}}

• John R. Winder: Pioneer, Temple Builder, Dairyman; Horizon Publishers; {{ISBN|978-0-88290-676-8}}; (1999; Hardback)
• Counselors to the Prophets; Eborn Books; {{ISBN|1-890718-04-1}}; (2001; Hardback)
• The Christmas Animals: A Children's Book illustrated by Lindsey E. Ayres; Eborn Books; {{ISBN|1-890718-09-2}}, (2002; Hardback)
• Ned Winder: The antics and adventures of a Utah Legend; with Bret R. Bassett, (2002; Paperback)
• Presiding Bishops; Eborn Books; {{ISBN|1-890718-10-6}}, (2003; Hardback)
• Utah in 2050: Glimpses of Our Future; Eborn Books; {{ISBN|1-890718-11-4}}, (2003; Hardback)
• Presidents and Prophets: The Story of America's Presidents and the LDS Church; Covenant Communications; {{ISBN|1-59811-452-2}}, (September 2007; Hardback)
• Life Lessons from Fathers of Faith: Inspiring True Stories About Latter-day Dads with Gary W. Toyn; Covenant Communications; {{ISBN|978-1-59811-603-8}}, (2010; Hardback)
• When the White House Comes to Zion with Ronald L. Fox; Covenant Communications; {{ISBN|978-1-60861-232-1}}, (2011; Hardback)
• It's Fun to Be the Mayor: A children's book illustrated by Andrea Vitali; Eborn Books; {{ISBN|978-1-890718-72-5}}; (2011; Hardback)
• Images of America: West Valley City; Arcadia Publishing; {{ISBN|978-0-7385-9541-2}}; (2012; Paperback)
• Called to Serve: Celebrating Missionary Work around the World; Covenant Communications; {{ISBN|978-1-62108-667-3}}; (2014; Paperback)
• Guy Stuff in the Scriptures; Covenant Communications; {{ISBN|978-1-62108-753-3}}; (2014; Paperback)
• Favorite Scriptures of 100 American Leaders; Plain Sight Publishing; {{ISBN|978-1-46212-313-1}}; (2019; Hardback)
• Hidden in Hollywood: The Gospel Found in 1001 Movie Quotes; Eborn Books; {{ISBN|978-1-60919-907-4}}; (2023; Paperback)

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{Official website|http://www.mikewinder.com}}
• {{C-SPAN|120852}}

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{{succession box | before=Dennis J. Nordfelt | after=Ron C. Bigelow | title=Mayors of West Valley City | years=2010 – 2014 }}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Winder, Michael K.}}

Category:1976 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century mayors of places in Utah

Category:Mayors of West Valley City, Utah

Category:21st-century American historians

Category:21st-century American male writers

Category:Writers from Utah

Category:Historians of the Latter Day Saint movement

Category:Harvard Kennedy School alumni

Category:University of Utah alumni

Category:People from West Valley City, Utah

Category:American Latter Day Saint writers

Category:Utah Republicans

Category:Utah city council members

Category:Latter Day Saints from Utah

Category:American male non-fiction writers

Category:21st-century members of the Utah Legislature