Emily Buss (politician)
Emily Buss | |
|---|---|
| Member-designate of the Utah Senate | |
| Assumed office TBD | |
| Preceded by | Daniel Thatcher |
| Constituency | 11th district (TBD–2026) |
| Personal details | |
| Party | Forward |
| Residence | Eagle Mountain, Utah |
| Alma mater | Brigham Young University–Idaho |
Emily Buss is an American politician who is the senator-designate for Utah's 11th State Senate district. A member of the Forward Party, she won a poll held by the party to choose a successor for outgoing Forward senator Daniel Thatcher, who resigned on December 12, 2025. Under Utah law, state legislators who resign are replaced by the Governor, who must appoint a replacement chosen by the outgoing legislator's political party. The Forward Party has formally submitted her name to the Governor to await appointment at a date TBD.[1][2]
Career
Buss is a social service worker and Nonprofit leader.[3] In 2025, Buss ran for Eagle Mountain, Utah city council. [4] She received 23.28% in 4th place.
Electoral history
2025 special primary
According to the Forward Party, this was the first time in United States history that approval voting was used to elect a state legislator, and the first time that a political party in the nation opened a replacement vote to all registered voters in a district, regardless of party.[5] Typically, political parties in Utah let only local party delegates in the district vote on replacement legislators.[6] In-person, online, and mail-in voting took place over multiple days, and prospective candidates pledged not to exceed a $300 campaign spending limit.[7]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forward | Emily Buss | 625 | 47.21% | |
| Forward | Maleah Bliss | 436 | 32.93% | |
| Forward | Tyley Bean | 426 | 32.18% | |
| Forward | Jeff Marshall | 418 | 31.57% | |
| Forward | Jeff Saunders | 403 | 30.44% | |
| Total votes | 2,308 | |||
| Turnout | 1,324 | |||
References
- ^ Stern, Emily Anderson; Baird, Addy (December 12, 2025). "Meet Utah's newest lawmaker – she's not a Republican or a Democrat". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- ^ McKellar, Katie (December 12, 2025). "Utah Forward Party's first-of-its-kind preference poll picks a winner to replace Sen. Thatcher". Utah News Dispatch. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- ^ Kieffer, Mike (June 16, 2025). "Emily Buss Announces Candidacy for Eagle Mountain City Council". Cedar Valley Sentinel. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
- ^ Maffitt, Tyler (November 5, 2025). "General Municipal Election Results". Eagle Mountain City. Retrieved December 14, 2025.
- ^ "Emily Buss wins preference poll in Senate District 11 race". Utah Policy. December 12, 2025. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- ^ Beal-Cvetko, Bridger (December 12, 2025). "Emily Buss wins preference poll to replace state Sen. Daniel Thatcher of the Forward Party". KSL. Retrieved December 13, 2025.
- ^ "Home". 11 Chooses. Retrieved December 13, 2025.