Official photo / senate.utah.gov

Emily Buss

State Senate District 11 (Multi-County)

Forward

About

Emily Buss (born 1990) is the Forward Party member of the Utah State Senate representing District 11, which covers parts of Salt Lake, Tooele, and Utah counties. She assumed office on December 17, 2025, after winning a Forward Party preference poll using approval voting to replace outgoing Sen. Daniel Thatcher; she is the state's only third-party state legislator and its youngest sitting senator. A nonprofit executive and community advocate from Eagle Mountain, she co-founded the Birthday Box Foundation and previously ran for Eagle Mountain City Council.

Where they stand

Transportation and Infrastructure fighting for state funding to fix roads and chokepoints in high-growth areas, sponsored bill to generate $180 million without tax increases.

Housing expanding first-time homebuyer assistance, protecting starter homes from corporate investors, requiring accountability from developers receiving public funds.

Water and Energy supporting investments in conservation and infrastructure, backed nuclear energy efforts in Tooele County, opposed measures diverting water from Great Salt Lake or weakening protections.

Local Control and Growth pushing to restore local government authority over development, impact fees, and infrastructure timing.

Electoral Reform supports open primaries, anti-gerrymandering measures, expanded voting methods, campaign finance limits, and greater voter participation.

Campaign site ↗Ballotpedia ↗

Coverage

Emily Buss nominated to fill vacant State Senate District 11 seat

A profile of Emily Buss, who transitioned from a local Eagle Mountain City Council candidate to a nominee for the Utah State Senate.

Eagle MountainSeptember 27, 2026

Senate District 11 Race Becomes Head-to-Head Contest

The Democratic candidate for Utah Senate District 11, MacKenzie Miller, has withdrawn from the 2026 general election. This leaves incumbent Senator Emily Buss of the Forward Party and Republican challenger Brooks Benson in a head-to-head race.

Salt Lake CitySeptember 8, 2026

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