Sen. Daniel Thatcher announced on social media Tuesday that he plans to resign before the 2026 legislative session. His resignation hands the Utah Forward Party—which has just 2,400 voters statewide—control over his replacement on Utah’s Capitol Hill.
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Under Utah law, when a legislator resigns mid-term, their party selects the replacement. Despite serving 14 years as a Republican, Thatcher switched to the Forward Party on the final day of the 2025 session.
"My first obligation in this matter is to the voters. They deserve a better process, and I think this is the best way to give them a better outcome," Thatcher said in a brief phone conversation on Tuesday evening.
I was first elected to the Utah State Senate at the age of 32, in a district that nobody thought would vote for a conservative. I won by listening and respecting voters from all parties. I have now served more than half my adult life. #utpol #utleg #forward #fwd 1/5
— Daniel W. Thatcher (@SenThatcher) October 22, 2025
Thatcher has suffered several strokes since November 2022. During the 2023 session, he experienced a medical incident on the floor of the Senate during a debate on a bill to ban minors from receiving gender-affirming care.
Thatcher was first elected in 2010 when he knocked off longtime Democratic Sen. Brent Goodfellow. During his tenure, he frequently bucked Republican leadership by voting against bills favored by his GOP colleagues.
One of his signature achievements during his time in office was spearheading the creation of the SafeUT mobile app as a response to rising youth suicide rates. The app provides Utah students 24/7 access to crisis counselors.
Thatcher also played a major role in establishing the 988 national suicide prevention hotline.
In 2024, he ran for Salt Lake County Council but lost the GOP primary to Carlos Moreno.
Citing growing frustration with the Republican majority in the Utah Senate not listening to voters, Thatcher switched from the Republican Party to the new Forward Party on the final day of the 2025 session.
Not only did that party switch give the Utah Forward Party their first office-holder in Utah, but it also means they get to pick Thatcher's replacement. Utah law says that in the event of a midterm vacancy in the legislature, the "same political party as the prior senator" will submit a name to the governor, who will appoint that person to serve out the remainder of Thatcher's term. Even though he was a Republican for the vast majority of his 15 years in office, his seat will be filled by a member of the Utah Forward Party.
There are only 2,400 Utahns who are registered to vote as members of the Forward Party in Utah with just 106 of those who live in Thatcher's district.
Utah Forward Party Chair Michelle Quist did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Thatcher’s resignation or what process they will use to pick a replacement.
Utah Republican Party Chair Rob Axson praised Thatcher's commitment to serving the public during his time in office.
"Senator Thatcher has given years of service to Utah and his constituents. He consistently fought for the west side of Salt Lake County and to promote their voice—which deserves praise," Axson said in a text message.
"In that process he was true to what he felt was right even if bucking the norm. I hope his next chapter is filed with success and health."
Thatcher had already announced he would not run for re-election in 2026. Former House Majority Whip John Knotwell is said to be gearing up to run for Thatcher's seat next year. Knotwell resigned from his seat in the Utah House in 2019. Current House Majority Whip Candice Pierucci was appointed as his replacement.
