Newly-elected Murray City Councilmember Adam Hock loves to run. In fact, he’s completed five marathons, dashing up to 60 miles a week while in training mode. It would appear all that running put him in good shape to run a competitive and well-funded campaign, beating incumbent Garry Hrechkosy for the honor of representing District 5. 

Hock knew it was going to be a competitive election, but he was as surprised as anyone to see the totals in campaign funds raised. “We were both willing to ask for money and endorsements, and I knew that’s what this race required because my opponent is quite politically connected, so that’s how I ran it.”

No stranger to racing, Hock often experiences District 5 on his own two feet, as one of his marathon training routes takes him along the rim of the district, from as far west as Fashion Place Mall, east to Van Winkle, then over to 5600 South. Wheeler Farm is smack in the middle, and the residential areas he runs through are diverse, from older neighborhoods, to newer apartments, to million dollar mansions.

Aside from the ongoing business of council, Hock has many ideas for Murray in his upcoming term, from niche projects that may be easier to sprint, to marathon-like changes.

For example, while he was campaigning (literally running) he noticed the poor condition (or lack of) sidewalks on 6400 South. “I know what it’s like to have cars right next to me when I’m on the side of the road,” said Hock, adding that he’d like to improve the condition of sidewalks and walkability in Murray.  

Also while on the campaign trail, he realized a geographic swath of residents were being double taxed for both Cottonwood Heights and Murray Parks & Recreation. He hopes to quickly address this issue. 

Over the long haul, he’d love for Murray to contribute to larger statewide environmental goals. 

He’d like Murray to participate in landscape rebates such as the Turf Buyback Program offered by the state to qualifying communities. Currently, Murray has not adopted necessary qualifying ordinances, and he hopes to remedy this. He’d also love for Murray Power to move toward 100% clean energy and away from coal-fueled power.

Hock grew up in neighboring Taylorsville, but these days he and his family are well-connected to the Murray School District. Hock teaches seminary for both Hillcrest Junior High and Murray High School, and he has children at Longview Elementary and Hillcrest Junior. His wife is a Murray High graduate and when the couple was looking for a place to settle and raise their children, she sold him on the charm of Murray. 

“She told me Murray was an easy place to feel at home, and it absolutely is,” Hock said. “It feels like a small town because Murray is independent and cohesive. You go to the library or a Murray Rec youth sporting event and you see the same people, all neighbors.”

Hock’s wife, Stephanie Hock, is an artist who has painted many a charming Utah and Murray landscape. “Yeah, I’m Mr. Stephanie Hock,” Councilmember Hock laughed. “I’ve embraced the title.” 

Hock has many advanced degrees. He received a bachelor’s degree in English Literature and master’s degrees from both Brigham Young University in religion and the University of Utah in American History. He’s been a part-time student and a full-time teacher for 16 years. “I love learning and initially thought my career path would lead me into academia as a professor.” 

But it was while finishing up his master’s in American History when he started to relate broader topics of study to his own community. “I realized I wanted to be more directly involved, rather than just academically observing.” That’s when he decided to run for local office.

When asked what lessons he could apply from his education into city government he said, “Decision making in a community with a bunch of players isn’t easy. We need to understand that everything has a history and decisions that were made, even if they were a bit of a mistake in retrospect, were not made in a vacuum. If we can see the historical perspective and use a wider view going forward during the decision making process, we might do a better longer-term job.” λ