Special Election - Utah State School Board District 4 and 14
The Utah Democratic Party State Executive Committee is issuing this notice of candidate vacancies for Utah State Board of Education District 4 (SBOE4) and Utah State Board of Education District 14 (SBOE14).
Per the procedures adopted by the UDP Rules Standing Committee and Utah State Code 20A-1-501, the State Executive Committee is opening a filing window for any interested and eligible Party member who wishes to be considered as the replacement Democratic candidate for either seat.
Applicants must be registered Democrats residing within the boundaries of the district for which they are applying.
Filing Window: Through 11:59 PM on Thursday, July 16, 2026.
Following the close of the filing window, the Utah Democratic Party will verify candidate eligibility. Eligible members of the UDP State Central Committee who reside within the applicable district will convene on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at 1:00 PM to elect the replacement Democratic candidate by majority vote using Ranked Choice Voting.
District 4
Kevin S. Parke
I believe in public education. I’m a product of Utah public schools, my four children are graduates, and in two years, my oldest grandchild will take their first steps into a classroom here. I’ve seen firsthand where our schools succeed and where they fall short. I want to be part of the solution. It’s time to move past book bans and culture wars, and refocus on what truly matters: preparing our children for the future.
District 14
Valerie Smith
As a retired teacher I have experience and insights into changes that are needed to better educate our children. Education should be focused on helping children become happy, well balanced citizens. Not data points. Let's start from there and watch what amazing humans they'll become.