Forward Party of Utah Announces Open Process to Select Replacement for Senator Daniel Thatcher
The unprecedented process invites all District 11 voters to participate or apply; challenges existing delegate-only midterm replacement process
10/22/2025 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Phil Boileau | (313) 231-7968 | [email protected]
WHAT:
Salt Lake City, UT — Following the announcement of Senator Daniel Thatcher’s intention to resign prior to the 2026 general legislative session, the Forward Party of Utah is today unveiling a groundbreaking plan to fill the soon-to-be-vacant Senate District 11 seat through an open, voter-inclusive selection process, a first in Utah’s history.
All those interested in learning more are strongly encouraged to visit 11chooses.com for comprehensive details and instructions for participation.
CONTEXT:
Michelle Quist, Chair of the Forward Party of Utah, put the issue in perspective:
“Roughly one in four Utah legislators currently serving first assumed office through a closed-door, delegate-only special replacement process, where less than one percent of the voters in the district participate. Once appointed to office, these lawmakers enjoy a 97% incumbency reelection rate.
Combine that with a closed primary system and ongoing efforts to ignore the will of the people by overturning Proposition 4, and a pattern emerges: Utah’s Republican supermajority has built a system designed to elect their political elite, and then protect them at all costs.
The Forward Party is doing things differently. The unprecedented process we’re launching today gives the people of District 11, all of them, the power to decide who represents them. Parties don’t own these seats. People do.”
Senator Daniel Thatcher’s statement is as follows:
“I was first elected to the Utah State Senate at the age of 32, in a district that nobody thought would vote for a conservative. I won by listening and respecting voters from all parties. I have now served more than half my adult life. I am rightfully proud of the work I’ve done, the friends I’ve made, the votes I’ve cast, and for always keeping my word, no matter the cost or difficulty.
My first obligation is not to any political party, but rather to my constituents. To give them the best outcome, I am announcing my intention to resign prior to the next general legislative session. In accordance with state law, the Forward Party and I will take this opportunity to carry out a first-of-its-kind, open and honest replacement process.
It has been a pleasure and an honor to serve in the State Senate. I will continue to serve to the best of my ability as this process unfolds. A better process, that respects all voters, and restores the representation necessary for a functional republic. Time to move FORWARD.”
KEY FACTS ABOUT THE REPLACEMENT PROCESS:
Utah’s election code §20A-1-503 states that midterm vacancies are to be filled by the political party of the departing legislator, and gives leeway for the party to define its own replacement process.
A detailed overview, outline, and link to the Declaration of Intent form can all be found at 11chooses.com. Later, as the finalized list of candidates becomes available, the same site will act as the primary source of information for voters in the district who wish to participate.
Key takeaways are summarized as follows:
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Applicants
- Applications Open Now: Eligible residents of Utah Senate District 11 may apply to fill Senator Daniel Thatcher’s seat by submitting a Declaration of Intent no later than Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
- Applicant Affiliation with the Forward Party of Utah: In addition to meeting all legal standards for Senate service in District 11, applicants must change their party affiliation to the Forward Party of Utah no later than November 11. Applicants of all current party affiliations are welcome.
- Candidate Commitments: Applicants must sign the Forward Party Candidate Pledge, commit to running for reelection in 2026 on the Forward ticket, submit to a background check, and complete the “Candidate Application Packet” containing the materials voters will later use to review and compare finalists.
- Transparent Selection: In order to keep the ballot simple and turnout high, if more than five candidates apply, the Forward Party may need to facilitate a paring down process to narrow the field to no more than five finalists.
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Approach to Campaigning
- Equal-Access Campaigning provided by Forward: All finalists will receive equal exposure through Forward-hosted channels including publication of materials and a moderated online debate, held a week before polls open.
- Prohibited Activities: Details are still being finalized, but the following rules of thumb will apply to all candidates: Spending significant sums of money to gain a competitive advantage, or any smear campaigns that violate the spirit of the Candidate Pledge, will be grounds for disqualification.
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Preference Poll
- Participation: All eligible voters residing in Senate District 11 will be invited to participate regardless of party affiliation. This is intended to be a reflection of an open primary election system.
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Innovation in Election Reform: The process will also serve as a testing ground for secure digital voting technology expected to cost less than half of Utah’s current vote-by-mail system. This will be combined with an alternative voting method that will allow voters to express support for more than one candidate.
- This process is therefore expected to garner national interest among election clerks and reform advocates as a test case.
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Applicants
- Proposed Timeline (subject to change)
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- 10/22 - Announcement made; application opens
- 11/11 - Deadline to submit applicant Declaration of Intent
- 11/15 - Application packet deadline
- 11/18 - Candidate finalists publicly announced
- 12/2 - Moderated online debate, hosted by Forward
- 12/8 - Online voting system is opened
- 12/11 - Online voting system closes
- 12/12 - Winner is announced by the Forward Utah Executive Committee
As this process is unprecedented, the Forward Party reserves the right to alter any of the above details as it sees fit based on changing needs and feedback from the community. The Forward Party therefore makes a commitment to optimal transparency; if changes are made, detailed reasons will be provided.
Qualified members of the press will be granted reasonable access to observe and report on this process. All questions from journalists and applicants will be answered openly, consistent with the Party’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
ADDITIONAL QUOTES FROM NATIONAL FORWARD PARTY REPRESENTATIVES:
Andrew Yang, Forward Party Founding Co-Chair:
“I find this so exciting. What a novel way to ensure people have a part in choosing their elected leaders. I applaud the Forward Party of Utah for embodying the spirit of Forward and democracy to give a voice to voters in what is, to my knowledge, a never-before-seen way of filling a legislative vacancy.”
Governor Christine Todd-Whitman, Forward Party Founding Co-chair:
“Filling a vacant seat through a vote, not an appointment, is the right way because it fosters fairness and accountability. It’s great to see Utah voters getting the power they deserve to decide who speaks for them.”
Lindsey Drath, CEO of the Forward Party:
“The Forward Party is striving for real democracy reform and working to ensure voters, not politicians and party leaders, are the ones who have the final say. When leaders are chosen in back rooms, trust in government erodes. Utah has the chance to do it right. Let the people pick their next Senator at the ballot box. It’s a refreshing and exciting way to fill a vacancy, and it’s the kind of change we need more of across American politics.
