Buss Leads Benson by Under 30 Votes
Incumbent Emily Buss holds a narrow lead over Republican nominee Brooks Benson in Utah's Senate District 11 as ballots are still counted in Tooele and Salt Lake Counties.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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Emily Buss narrowly leads Brooks Benson in the Senate District 11 race, with fewer than 30 votes separating them while counting continues in Tooele and Salt Lake Counties. The district includes parts of Eagle Mountain, Tooele, and West Valley City.
Why it matters
The outcome will determine who represents Utah voters in the district, and the tight margin means the final count could still change the result. The race also follows Buss's appointment to the seat after the prior senator left the Republican Party and later resigned.
The unofficial count shows Buss ahead by fewer than 30 votes, a margin small enough that the remaining ballots in Tooele and Salt Lake Counties could affect the outcome. Benson earned the Republican nomination with 95 of 130 first-ballot votes from state delegates, or 73%, but the general election result is not yet final.
The players
Emily Buss
Buss is the incumbent senator for District 11 and the Utah Forward Party's representative, and she co-founded an organization that brings birthday celebrations to children in difficult circumstances.
Brooks Benson
Benson is the Republican nominee for Senate District 11 and holds a degree in behavioral science with a focus on family studies.
The details
Votes are still being counted in Tooele and Salt Lake Counties for the 2026 midterm election. Buss, the incumbent who represents the Utah Forward Party, faces Republican nominee Brooks Benson, who has a background in behavioral science and family studies.
Timeline
- November 3, 2026: 2026 Midterm Elections held, with vote counting underway
Political Context
The contest follows Senator Daniel Thatcher's move from the Republican Party to the Utah Forward Party and his later resignation, which opened the seat that Buss was appointed to fill. Republican delegates' first-ballot endorsement of Benson signals the party's effort to regain the district.
The outcome determines which candidate represents Senate District 11 residents in Eagle Mountain, Tooele, and West Valley City. Voters in those areas will see the final result once all ballots in Tooele and Salt Lake Counties are counted.
The takeaway
Because the margin is under 30 votes, a small number of remaining ballots can decide the race, so residents should check official county results for the final count before drawing conclusions.
Further reading
For more on the state's contests, see Elections coverage for Utah.
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