Nate Jackson received the most votes to fulfill the position and a resolution appointing him to fill the vacancy for the rest of Tran’s councilmember term was unanimously adopted. 

The next evening, the Official Oath of Office Ceremony went off seamlessly for newly elected city officials. Lt. Governor Diedre Henderson joined City staff, former elected officials, first responders, County Commissioners, Congressman Blake Moore, interested citizens, and the Mayor and members of the City Council for the official swearing-in ceremony. Henderson administered the Oath of Office to Mayor Tami Tran, Councilmembers Abbigayle Hunt, Perry Oaks and Nate Jackson. A reception was held afterwards.

Henderson is the second woman to serve as Lt. Governor in the State of Utah and gave a shout out to former Governor Olene Walker as the first. She said Walker was a big believer in service to the community and had said “leadership is the ability to get things done.” Henderson said she believed a community would be blessed and shine because of the willingness of elected officials like these to jump in, roll up their sleeves, and serve.

After the official business, Jackson, Oaks, Hunt and Tran each said a few words. Jackson said “he was humbled and excited to get to work alongside those he campaigned with last fall.” He recognized his family and the community for their support and said while campaigning, he had visited every single inch of the community. He said there was so much talent living in Kaysville that he would love to get more people involved in the government process.

Oaks said he “decided to run to give back to the community.” He said it was exciting to see how city government runs at the local level and he looked forward to working with and getting to know everyone better.

Hunt said she was “humbled by the election results and the support she received” and “was grateful for the residents of Kaysville who have entrusted her with the opportunity to serve.”  She described the mentors, volunteers, and complete strangers who supported and helped her along the way (including former Mayor Katie Witt who showed up on her doorstep, shared her invaluable knowledge, and showed her the ropes of campaigning). 

Tran (shedding a brief tear) said she was born in Seoul, Korea, became an orphan and migrated to the United States where she was adopted. She was naturalized in 1979 and has been proud and grateful to be an American every day since. She said her family includes a long line of veterans and she learned that freedom comes at a price, and that price is the obligation to give back and make the world a better place through actions, deeds, and kindness. She said her parents taught her at a young age the value in service and giving back. 

Tran said she hoped to be “the kind of Mayor that people know they can approach with suggestions, information, and ideas for change” and success to her will mean that by the end of her term she “will have left Kaysville better than when she found it.” Finally, Tran thanked everyone for this opportunity and said “only in the United States can an orphan from Seoul, Korea grow up to the Mayor of such a wonderful city in Utah.”