Christie Babalis, a resident of Snyderville Basin and attorney, has declared her candidacy for the Summit County Council's District 4 seat in the upcoming 2026 elections. Babalis made her announcement on Friday, motivated by the decision of current County Councilor Chris Robinson to not seek reelection after 15 years in office. District 4 includes Kimball Junction, as well as parts of Pinebrook and Sun Peak. Having lived in the area for over 24 years, Babalis has a background in the ski industry, which she believes gives her insights into the community's unique challenges and opportunities. She has a law degree from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law and over 15 years of legal experience in areas such as commercial contracts, licensing, and corporate work. Currently, she works for Pacific Group Resorts, a company managing over 4,000 acres of ski terrain. Babalis aims to focus on growth management, traffic improvements, and the preservation of open spaces in Summit County. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining the quality of life for local residents and protecting the character of the area from unchecked growth. Her campaign will prioritize asking the right questions and making decisions that consider long-term impacts. Babalis is particularly concerned about the influence of external parties on local governance, stressing the need for community input in decision-making processes. With the 2034 Winter Olympics approaching, she sees an opportunity for collaboration among local ski resorts and government entities to address infrastructure challenges and enhance the local economy. Babalis is committed to good governance and plans to engage with residents of District 4 to gather diverse perspectives. The candidate filing window for the 2026 elections will open on January 2 and close on January 8. In addition to the County Council positions, other local offices, including those for the county auditor, sheriff, and attorney, will be contested. Vice Chair Canice Harte has also announced his intention to seek reelection. Babalis plans to provide more information about her campaign in the upcoming weeks.