Still not sure how you feel about the proposed merger between the United Utah Party and the Utah Forward Party? See the below thoughts from some members of the United Utah Party Executive Board.

"This weekend, we will have a unique opportunity to make Utah history!

"Founded in 2017, the United Utah Party was organized to provide a haven to the citizens of Utah that were without a home in our divided, two-party system. Our platform and principles have always been designed to appeal to our neighbors and friends that were frustrated with the rigid, extreme positions of the two major parties, and the supermajority that is out of touch with mainstream Utah.

"Over the years, we’ve fielded wonderful local and statewide candidates, and done our best to present an alternative for Utah voters. Joining forces with the Utah Forward Party, with their strong state and national organizations, will make both parties stronger.

"As a founding member of the United Utah Party, I’m happy to support the merger of the UUP with the Utah Forward Party."

- Mark Russell (Executive Board & Founding Member)

"While feeling politically homeless in 2017, I saw a notice in the paper about an information meeting regarding a new moderate political party.  I attended, joined the fledgling United Utah Party, and haven't looked back.  I've served since then in county and state party leadership, and I ran as a UUP candidate in 2022.

"I've spent years promoting the UUP--by marching in parades, passing out flyers, sitting at county fair booths, sharing social media content, representing the party at events, etc.  So of course the prospect of losing the UUP moniker in a merger with the Forward Party is bittersweet. Yet we have so much to gain from the merger. 

"I've become acquainted with nearly every member of the FWD Party executive team as our parties have collaborated with one another and appeared at the same events.  They share our enthusiasm for political reform and a different kind of political engagement than is modeled by the two major parties. I feel confident that this merger will boost both our visibility and viability as a centrist movement, particularly as it connects us to a national party infrastructure."

- Kimberly Wagner (Executive Board Member)

"The United Utah Party (UUP) was founded in 2017 by former members of both major parties who were frustrated with the direction their parties had taken over the previous decade. The extreme stances and unwillingness to compromise had already taken a major toll on politics in Utah, and at the national level.

"Because the only way to change is to do something different, the founding members of the UUP decided to try something different. They created a political party based not on rigid ideology, but on a belief that “that good government requires transparency, fairness, and a robust and civil debate.

"The original founding members also believed that no movement can exist without a foundation. The goal was to create a foundation here in Utah, and then eventually build on it either by expanding to other states, or by joining forces with similar movements across the country.

"In the eight years since those original conversations, the United Utah Party has continued our mission to improve politics through bridge building, and a common sense and common ground approach to politics.

"I have been personally involved for seven of those eight years. I joined the party not long after it became a legal entity in Utah, but my first volunteer opportunity did not come until I ran a local caucus in March of 2018. Since then, I’ve served in local leadership, on several committees, and as the state vice-chair. I even ran as a candidate in 2022, proudly displaying the UUP logo on my campaign signs.

"Knowing that, some of you might wonder why I support joining forces with the Forward Party, and retiring the United Utah Party name. Simply put, because it makes sense.

"The UUP has never existed for its own good. Making choices for the benefit of the party, not the people, is not what Uniters do. By joining forces with the Forward Party, we can continue to build on the goal of bringing positive change to Utah politics, while also working with like-minded people across the country to do the same at the national level.

"There is a saying that “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” That is what we are trying to accomplish by proposing a merger with the Forward Party. We have a lot in common, and if we bring together the strengths of both sides, we can create something that is greater than either party on its own.

"I’ll admit that the thought of merging is a little bittersweet. A lot of blood, sweat, and tears from countless volunteers and candidates have gone into building the United Utah Party. But that sacrifice isn’t going away. We were building a foundation that can now help support a larger movement as we continue to work together towards positive change.

"I hope you will join me on April 26th in voting “Yes” on approving the merger between the United Utah Party and Forward Party. And if you aren’t currently a registered member of either party, come anyway and see what we are building."

- Patricia Bradford (United Utah Party Vice-Chair)