The Forward Party of Utah has completed its 2026 county and state nominating conventions. Below are the reported results from each convention.
Voting
Forward Party convention voters are given the option to vote for a candidate or select “No Candidate at this Time.”
If “No Candidate at this Time” receives the required support over the candidate seeking the nomination, the Forward Party does not nominate a candidate in that race for the General Election.
This process gives voters—not party leadership—the final say over whether a candidate should represent the Forward Party on the ballot.
Expanded Participation in 2026
Beginning with the 2026 conventions, unaffiliated Utah voters are permitted to participate as full voting delegates in Forward Party conventions alongside registered Forward Party members.
Participation is open to eligible voters residing within the jurisdiction of the race being decided.
Reported Convention Results
Utah County Convention — March 21, 2026
The following candidates were approved by delegate vote and will be moving forward to the general election:
- House District 53 — John Boyd
- House District 63 — Julie Smith
- Senate District 21 — Wayne Woodfield
- Utah County Clerk — Russ Rampton
- Utah County Commissioner — David Hinckley
Davis County Convention — March 24, 2026
The following candidates were approved by delegate vote and will be moving forward to the general election:
- Senate District 06 — Josh Smith
- House District 13 — Tony De Mille
Cache County Convention — March 26, 2026
In House District 03, delegates selected “No Candidate at this Time” over candidate Ben Shaw.
As a result, the Forward Party will not nominate a candidate for House District 03 in the 2026 General Election.
Salt Lake County Convention — March 28, 2026
The following candidates were approved by delegate vote and will be moving forward to the general election:
- Senate District 09 — Lowry Snow
- Senate District 13 — Colin Smith
- House District 26 — Travis Alico
- House District 27 — Jeff Marshall
- House District 40 — John Jackson
- Salt Lake County Council At-Large District A — Maleah Bliss
In Federal Congressional District 01, delegates selected “No Candidate at this Time” over candidate January Walker.
As a result, the Forward Party will not nominate a candidate for Congressional District 01 in the 2026 General Election.
Weber County Convention — March 28, 2026
The following candidate was approved by delegate vote and will be moving forward to the general election:
- Weber County Commissioner — Gary New
State Convention — April 11, 2026
The following candidates were approved by delegate vote and will be moving forward to the general election:
- Senate District 01 — Julie Quinlan
- Senate District 11 — Senator Emily Buss
- Senate District 20 — Annette McRae
- House District 06 — James Rich
- House District 08 — Libby Shelton
- House District 23 — Cabot Nelson
- House District 28 — Wales Nematollahi
- House District 29 — Tynley Bean
- House District 70 — Zeno Perry
Final vote tallies can be requested by emailing [email protected].
Priorities
In addition to nominating candidates, convention participants voted on the Forward Party of Utah’s Party Priorities for the coming election cycle.
These priorities help identify the issues Forward voters want candidates and party leaders to emphasize while preserving candidates’ independence to develop their own positions and policy solutions.
Learn more about the Forward Party of Utah’s priorities at utahforwardparty.org/priorities.
Moving Forward
Thank you to everyone who participated in our 2026 county and state conventions, whether in person or remotely.
Forward’s convention process is designed to give ordinary Utah voters a meaningful role in deciding who represents the party and what issues deserve its attention.
We look forward to supporting our 2026 nominees as they move forward to the General Election.
