Utah's third party political parties announces plans to merge
The two groups would form to become either the 'Utah Forward Party' or the 'United Forward Party,' depending on what is approved by the , to which the Utah Forward Party is affiliated.
Both third-party groups said they share common values, including strengthening democracy, improving government efficiency, responsiveness and ethics, and helping the moderate majority become politically organized.
'[Utah United Party has] worked tirelessly to give voters a quality third option,' said Adam Teuscher, the chair of the Utah Forward Party. 'They believe that electeds should put the interests of their constituents over those of party bosses. Forward stands for the same, but we do so as part of a 50-state movement. UUP blazed the path and through this merger, we hope to widen it.'
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The merger has reportedly been months in the works but recently gained momentum after Utah Sen. Daniel Thatcher (UFP-Tooele) in favor of the Utah Forward Party.
The two groups won't officially merge until it has been approved by party members of both parties. The United Utah Party and the Utah Forward Party will hold separate votes on the proposed merger on Saturday, April 26.
If approved, the two parties will create an interim Executive Committee appointed by existing party leadership to oversee the process of combining separate parties within the bounds of Utah State Law.
'The United Utah Party's long-term vision has always been to start locally and build up a grass-roots political movement in Utah before eventually joining together with similar movements from other states,' said Ladd Johnson, chair of the United Utah Party. 'The proposed merger with the Forward Party is an important and exciting step furthering that vision. We will bring the experience, excellent platform and approach, and dedicated leaders and members of the UUP and combine with the talent, energy, and national presence of the Forward Party.'
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