The United Utah Party elected new party leadership at its State Convention on April 29th. "This is an exciting time for the UUP and the moderate movement in Utah, and we're grateful for the chance to help build even more momentum going forward," says Ladd Johnson, new party chair.

Johnson was elected as the party chair, with Patricia Bradford as vice-chair. Allyson Riding and Brian Fabbi were each elected to serve another term as secretary and treasurer, respectively. “In today's environment of hyper-partisan politics, the number of people nationwide who are leaving the two main parties to become independent or to join a third party is at an all-time high. People are tired of the bitter fights and political outrage." says Johnson. "The UUP fills a critical role in Utah by providing a political home to those feeling disenfranchised by the two main parties."

The leaders were elected per the UUP's bylaws at the State Convention, where party delegates also voted on updates to the language of the party platform. The new leaders will each serve a two-year term until the party's next organizing convention in 2025. Johnson and Bradford enter their new roles with considerable leadership experience within the party. Johnson has served as the Salt Lake County Chair of the UUP, interim Vice Chair of the UUP and ran as a candidate for the UUP in November 2022 for Utah House District 46 in Draper.  Ladd has a bachelor's degree and master's degree in Accounting from BYU as well as a law degree from BYU.  Professionally he has worked as a mergers & acquisitions attorney for 22 years (7 years at a large Washington DC law firm, Wiley Rein, and the last 15 years as a partner at Edinger Associates).  He is married to Bryn Johnson and they are the proud parents of 5 children. Bradford has been a member of the United Utah Party since 2017. She previously served as the Iron County Vice-Chair, Iron County Chair, and Southwest Region Chair. She also ran as a candidate for State Senate 28 in 2022. Bradford holds a bachelor’s degree in history & geography from Southern Utah University. She spent four years working for software companies along the Wasatch Front before moving to part-time contract and freelance work. She and her husband are the parents of three children.

"The UUP has grown a lot over the past few years and we're here to stay," says Johnson. "I am humbled and honored by the opportunity I have to be the Chair of the UUP and am very grateful for the tireless efforts of Hillary, Wayne and prior party leaders who have built-up the party from its early days. The UUP has expanded its footprint, influence and total votes in each election since it has been formed and I will work hard to make sure that trend continues in 2024."