The Forward Party of Utah has announced the winner of its historic midterm preference poll to replace outgoing Sen. Dan Thatcher of West Valley City, who earlier this year left the Republican Party. The unprecedented process resulted in Emily Buss of Eagle Mountain being selected to fill the vacant Utah Senate District 11 seat.
The announcement was made Friday, the same day Thatcher’s resignation officially took effect. Party leaders have formally submitted Buss’s name to Gov. Spencer Cox for appointment, in accordance with Utah law governing midterm legislative vacancies.
Emily Buss Selected Through Historic Preference Poll
According to the Forward Party of Utah, Emily Buss won the preference poll conducted to determine Thatcher’s replacement. This marked the first time in Utah history that a political party used a statewide open preference poll with approval voting to select a midterm replacement.
Buss received 625 approvals, translating to a 47.21% approval rate. In total, 2,308 votes were cast by 1,324 voters using both online and paper ballots.
Approval voting allows participants to vote for more than one candidate. The approval percentage is calculated by dividing the number of approvals a candidate receives by the total number of ballots cast. Because voters can approve multiple candidates, the total number of approvals exceeds the total number of ballots.
Buss’s Background and Policy Focus
In her candidate biography, Buss describes her professional experience as being grounded in advocacy, policy development, and research, with a strong emphasis on child welfare and social impact.
She notes that her career has focused on building programs that address real-world challenges, supporting underserved youth, expanding access to essential services, and working closely with community organizations to turn policy ideas into measurable results.
About the Forward Party of Utah
The Forward Party of Utah is a centrist political party formed earlier this year through the merger of two moderate political groups. Operating under the slogan “Not left. Not right. Forward,” the party is affiliated with the national Forward Party movement.
The party’s leadership said the preference poll reflects its commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and democratic participation.
Open Election and Eligibility Rules Explained
To fill the midterm vacancy, the Forward Party of Utah implemented a first-of-its-kind open election. All registered voters in District 11 were eligible to participate, regardless of party affiliation.
Candidates were required to:
- Pass a party background check
- Sign a pledge supporting Forward Party values
- Commit to running for reelection in 2026 as a Forward Party candidate
Party officials say the open system encouraged broader civic participation compared to traditional party-controlled replacement processes.
Buss Reacts to Her Selection
In a prepared statement, Buss expressed appreciation to District 11 voters for their support.
She said she was honored and grateful for the trust placed in her, emphasizing that her focus will be on representing the people of the district. Buss highlighted her goal of advancing practical, common-sense solutions to strengthen communities, support families, and create a positive future for Utah residents.
Dan Thatcher Reflects on 15 Years of Service
Outgoing Sen. Dan Thatcher described serving District 11 for the past 15 years as a privilege. He thanked constituents for their trust and praised the Forward Party of Utah for organizing what he called an open, transparent, and historic replacement process.
Thatcher noted that inviting every registered voter in the district to participate gave him confidence in the future leadership of the community. He also congratulated Buss and District 11 residents.
Utah GOP Will Not Challenge Appointment
When Thatcher announced his retirement in October, Utah Republican Party Chair Rob Axson criticized the senator’s party switch and initially suggested the GOP might challenge the replacement process.
However, Axson later confirmed that the Utah Republican Party will not challenge Emily Buss’s appointment, acknowledging that state law allows the Forward Party of Utah to submit a replacement.
Axson stated that while the GOP has concerns about the process and Thatcher’s decision to change parties, it respects the law governing legislative vacancies.
2026 Election Already Taking Shape
Buss is expected to become the only third-party lawmaker in the Utah Legislature when the 2026 general session begins on January 20. However, the Utah Republican Party confirmed it will field a Republican challenger in the 2026 election, when the remainder of Thatcher’s term expires.
Axson said the GOP looks forward to presenting voters with a Republican candidate aligned with district preferences.
Forward Party Welcomes Competition
Phil Boileau, spokesperson for the Forward Party of Utah, welcomed the prospect of competition in 2026. He emphasized that voters will ultimately decide which party they prefer under Utah’s democratic system.
Boileau also responded to criticism that the party “pulled a fast one” on voters. He pointed out that unlike closed party primaries, the Forward Party’s preference poll was open to every registered voter in District 11, including Republicans.
High Voter Participation Sets New Benchmark
Boileau said party leaders were encouraged by the strong turnout, with more than 1,300 voters participating. He noted that this far exceeds the estimated 150 delegates who might have participated under a traditional caucus-based replacement system.
The Forward Party of Utah hopes this model can inspire reforms to midterm replacement processes both within Utah and nationwide.
