As current and former elected officials serving in office in Park City and Summit County, we are writing to express our collective disappointment and outrage regarding the recent comments made by Park City Council candidate John “JK” Kenworthy to City Councilor Tana Toly. His assertion at a recent community meeting that she needs him on the council as a “big brother” to “supervise and help” her make decisions is not only an insult to a respected colleague, but to every woman who holds a leadership position.
It seems absurd to have to make this declaration in the year 2025, but let us be unequivocally clear: Women do not need male chaperones, a man to co-sign for a mortgage or credit card, or male “supervisors” to oversee our conduct and decision-making in elected office.
JK’s patronizing and frankly misogynistic statement reveals a mindset that is fundamentally incompatible with modern leadership and public service. It is a relic of a bygone era that women have fought for generations to leave behind.
Women serve proudly and with distinction in elected offices at every level of government. We are elected based on our qualifications, our dedication, and our ability to represent our constituents effectively. To suggest that any one of us requires male oversight is an affront to our capabilities and a disservice to the voters who placed their trust in us.
This is not a simple gaffe. It is a clear window into a candidate’s character and his perception of women as subordinates rather than equals.
Our community deserves better. We need leaders who will collaborate with respect, value diverse perspectives, and work to uplift all members of our community, not “supervise” them.
We stand in solidarity with council member Toly and call for a higher standard of discourse and leadership from all who seek to serve.
Nann Worel
Park City mayor
Megan McKenna, Tonja Hanson
Summit County councilors
Meredith Reed, Eileen Gallagher, Kathleen Britton, Susan Goldberg
Park City School Board members
Sally Elliott
Former Summit County and Park City councilor
Kim Carson, Shauna Kerr
Former Summit County Councilors