Sarah Reale

Sarah Reale

Democratic Party

Candidate, Utah State Board of Education District 5

Utah State Board of Education District 5

Tenure

2023 - Present

Term ends

2027

Years in position

3

Predecessor: Laura Belnap (Nonpartisan)

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 8, 2022

Next convention

April 11, 2026

Education

High school

Grandview High School

Bachelor's

Utah State University, 2007

Graduate

Utah State University, 2010

Graduate

Utah State University, 2011

Personal

Birthplace

Salt Lake City, UT

Profession

Public relations and marketing

Contact

Official website

Personal Facebook

Personal Instagram

Personal LinkedIn

Sarah Reale (Democratic Party) is a member of the Utah State Board of Education, representing District 5. She assumed office on January 2, 2023. Her current term ends on January 4, 2027.

Reale (Democratic Party) is running for re-election to the Utah State Board of Education to represent District 5. She declared candidacy for the Democratic convention scheduled on April 11, 2026.^[source]

Biography

Sarah Reale was born in and lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. She earned a high school diploma from Grandview High School. Reale received her bachelor's degree in journalism and communication in 2007 and an M.S. in politics and policy in 2010, both from Utah State University. Her career experience includes working as a public relations and marketing specialist for Utah State University, a senior marketing strategist for GCommerce Solutions, and in various roles like director of digital marketing at Salt Lake Community College..

Elections

2026

See also: Utah State Board of Education election, 2026

General election

The primary will occur on June 23, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.

Democratic convention

Democratic convention for Utah State Board of Education District 5

Incumbent Sarah Reale (D) is running in the Democratic convention for Utah State Board of Education District 5 on April 11, 2026.

		Candidate
		Sarah Reale

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
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Republican convention

Republican convention for Utah State Board of Education District 5

J. Michael Clara (R) is running in the Republican convention for Utah State Board of Education District 5 on April 18, 2026.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	J. Michael Clara

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	There are no incumbents in this race.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.

2022

See also: Utah State Board of Education election, 2022

General election

General election for Utah State Board of Education District 5

Sarah Reale defeated Laurel Fetzer and William Fisher in the general election for Utah State Board of Education District 5 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sarah Reale (D)	61.3	27,065
		Laurel Fetzer (R)	34.4	15,175
	Submit photo	William Fisher (Independent)	4.4	1,922

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 44,162
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Sarah Reale advanced from the Democratic primary for Utah State Board of Education District 5.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Laurel Fetzer advanced from the Republican primary for Utah State Board of Education District 5.

Democratic convention

Democratic convention for Utah State Board of Education District 5

Sarah Reale advanced from the Democratic convention for Utah State Board of Education District 5 on April 9, 2022.

		Candidate
✔		Sarah Reale (D)

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican convention

Republican convention for Utah State Board of Education District 5

Laurel Fetzer advanced from the Republican convention for Utah State Board of Education District 5 on April 23, 2022.

		Candidate
✔		Laurel Fetzer (R)

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

To view Reale's endorsements in the 2022 election, please click here.

2021

See also: City elections in Salt Lake City, Utah (2021)

General election

General election for Salt Lake City Council District 5

Select round: Round 2 Round 1

The ranked-choice voting election was won by Darin Mano in round 2 . The results of Round are displayed below. To see the results of other rounds, use the dropdown menu above to select a round and the table will update.

		Candidate	%	Total Votes	Transfer	Round eliminated
		Darin Mano	50.1	2,907	5	Won (2)
		Sarah Reale	24.9	1,447	7	2
		Amy Hawkins	19.8	1,149	12	2
		George Chapman	5.2	300	14	2
	Submit photo	Vance Hansen	0.0	0	-48	1

		Candidate	%	Total Votes	Transfer	Round eliminated
		Darin Mano	49.9	2,902	0	Won (2)
		Sarah Reale	24.8	1,440	0	2
		Amy Hawkins	19.6	1,137	0	2
		George Chapman	4.9	286	0	2
	Submit photo	Vance Hansen	0.8	48	0	1

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,813
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Sarah Reale has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey. If you are Sarah Reale, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

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2022

Sarah Reale completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Reale's responses.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

As an educator from a family of educators, I have spent almost 20 years dedicated to helping Utah students reach their academic and career goals. I'm focused on creating an inclusive, safe environment where our educators and students can thrive. I'll do this by championing our talented educators, finding new innovative ways to enhance our classrooms and curriculum, and using my experience to strengthen the pipeline to higher education.

Education is one of the most important institutions our government manages, it is the cornerstone to an equitable society. I'm tired of the hateful, political rhetoric and polarization education has been facing. I know you are too. That's why I plan on building bridges between the Board, legislators, administrators, local school boards, parents, and educators—so we can focus on productive strategies to support our students.

I’ll work for more mental health resources, new ways of recruiting and retaining educators, promoting new technology in the classroom, and access for ALL of Utah’s students, no matter their zip code.

Let’s Get Reale: It’s time for a brighter more equitable future for our students. Join me.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Trust our teachers: Sarah comes from a family of teachers, and has spent the last 15+ years working as an educator and a community leader. She knows that Utah teachers deserve better than what they’re getting. Sarah will work for better pay, smaller classes, and sanity on the school board.
• Focus on learning: No student should ever have to feel unsafe—or unwelcome—at school. Utah has the highest teen suicide rate in the nation, yet there are still some who want to inject politics and exclusion into the classroom. Sarah will work to help students learn and thrive, and teachers focus on education and support.
• Innovate and collaborate in our schools: Education outcomes in Utah should be the best in the country, instead of bringing up the rear. Sarah will help build inclusive, equitable schools with input from educators, and common sense at every step of the process.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about two public policy issues: Education and Public Lands.

I serve on the Salt Lake City Library Board, Ballpark Community Council, Salt Lake County Open Spaces Board, Salt Lake County Mountainous District Planning Commission, and I'm on the Advisory Board at the Chi Omega Sorority at the University of Utah.

I'm focused on the P-20 pipeline-- strengthening partnerships with the Utah System of Higher Education, mental health resources for our schools, and creating safe spaces where our students can learn and thrive.

My experience in education as an administrator and in the classroom and through my work as a community advocate, i'm prepared to take on this role.

Education is the cornerstone to an equitable society—I believe this to my core. And I want to do everything I can to make sure every student, no matter their zip code, has the opportunity to succeed.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

2021

Video for Ballotpedia

Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released August 17, 2021

Sarah Reale completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Reale's responses.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

The best leader is someone who can put their own self-interest aside and lead in an equitable way. As an elected public official, I will look beyond my personal values and beliefs and focus on what is best for the community at large. As an empathetic leader and a good listener, I will work to represent all constituent interests.

I’m a SLC native currently employed at Salt Lake Community College, I have a passion for advocacy, a proven record of experience in education (15+ years), and action-oriented protection of public lands.

My goals are to engage in intentional planning that employs data, responsibility, and collaboration. Together we can find creative solutions to make our community safer for a growing population. As your advocate, I will listen, act with transparency, and communicate consistently.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Engage in intentional planning that employs data, responsibility, and collaboration.
• Find creative solutions to make our community safer for a growing population.
• As an advocate, I will listen, act with transparency, and communicate consistently.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Public Education

Higher Education
Sustainability
Action-Oriented Protection of Public Lands
Walkable and bike-able communities

Sustainable Growth with Purpose

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

The best leader is someone who can put their own self-interest aside and lead in an equitable way. As an elected public official, I will look beyond my personal values and beliefs and focus on what is best for the community at large. As an empathetic leader and a good listener, I will work to represent all constituent interests.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My Grandma, Helen Louise Call, who passed away recently at age 99. It’s not hard explain why all five of her children (and their spouses) and her nineteen grandchildren kept coming to Jackson Hole every year for our family reunion. We just wanted to be with her. Her magnetism not only drew us together, it also seemed to bring our best qualities to the surface and see what was truly good in each other. Also, she was just so much fun.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

In a representative democracy, it is the role of elected officials to represent their district. The best leader is someone who can put their own self-interest aside and lead in an equitable way.

I have no interest in party politics. As an elected public official, I will look beyond my personal values and beliefs and focus on what is best for the community at large. As an empathetic leader and a good listener, I will work to represent all constituent interests.

With a promise to be authentic and transparent, I will listen and learn from the people I represent – and always speak the truth. This may seem simple, but authenticity is an important value to me. Be myself and be transparent to those I serve. With these tenets, I believe relatability and a welcoming environment for those around me will be created.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Represent: Through listening, communicating, educating, and advocating.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I have worked since I was 15. My first job was at a Ski Rental shop where I helped build skis for rentals. It was a fun job and I got to ski plenty that season!

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Get out the Map, Indigo Girls

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Sarah Reale campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2022	Utah State Board of Education District 5	Won general	$34,943	$-26,101
Grand total			$34,943	$-26,101
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

See also

2026 Elections

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Government

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Newsletters

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External links

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Officeholder

Utah State Board of Education District 5

Website

Personal

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by Laura Belnap	Utah State Board of Education District 5 2023-Present	Succeeded by -

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