Emily Buss (politician)

Buss lives in western Utah County with her husband and their three children.^{[citation needed]}

Buss announced her candidacy for one of two city council seats up for election in Eagle Mountain, Utah, on June 16, 2025.^[8] Buss received 17% of the vote in the municipal open primary, tied for third-place among six candidates, and advanced to the general election with four other candidates.^[9] Buss received 24.3% of the vote in the general election, finishing in third-place, just shy of winning a city council seat.^[10]

Buss was selected as the Forward Party of Utah's candidate to replace outgoing state senator Daniel Thatcher in Utah's 11th district on December 12, 2025.^[11] According to the Forward Party, this was the first time in United States history that approval voting was used to elect a state legislator, and the first time that a political party in the nation opened a replacement vote to all registered voters in a district, regardless of party.^[12] Typically, political parties in Utah let only local party delegates in the district vote on replacement legislators.^[13] In-person, online, and mail-in voting took place over multiple days, and prospective candidates pledged not to exceed a $300 campaign spending limit.^[14] Buss spent $0 on her special election campaign. Following the poll, the Forward Party formally submitted her name to the Governor who, under Utah law, was required to appoint a replacement chosen by the outgoing legislator's political party.^[15][16]