Utah Representative John Curtis (R-Utah) has announced his entrance into the Senate race with strong backing from his constituency. This decision comes as Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah) leaves the position.
Initially, Mr. Curtis expressed interest in filling Romney’s shoes after his surprise retirement announcement in September. However, in October, he stated that he would not be running. The news caused a stir among his supporters and donors, who encouraged him to reconsider. These voices, including that of his wife and children, eventually persuaded him to change his mind.
Various individuals and groups publicly urged Mr. Curtis to run for Senate, including the Conservative Values for Utah PAC, which spent $89,000 on a television ad in November supporting his candidacy.
Mr. Curtis explained that his hesitation to run stemmed from his commitment to his district and desire to fulfill his term as a successful legislator in the House. Additionally, he hoped to have more time with his family, consisting of six children and 17 grandchildren. However, he eventually concluded that he could represent his district even better in the Senate.
Before filing his declaration of candidacy, Mr. Curtis served on the House Communications & Technology Subcommittee, the Federal Lands Subcommittee, and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. His political agenda includes regulating artificial intelligence and social media, expanding local control over public lands, addressing climate change from a conservative perspective, and countering China’s encroachment on Hong Kong and Taiwan, where he lived for three years.
He has been recognized as one of the most effective legislators in the House by the Center for Effective Lawmaking in a 2023 study. Despite this, some partisan Utah Republicans have labeled him a Republican in Name Only (RINO). However, Mr. Curtis dismisses these accusations, stating that he would vote for former President Trump in a Biden-Trump contest but with conditions.
As Rep. John Curtis officially enters the Senate race, he brings with him strong support from his constituency, following their urging for him to reconsider his initial decision. With a proven track record as a legislator and a strong political agenda, he aims to represent Utah in the Senate effectively. The race for the Senate seat in Utah is gaining momentum as more candidates join the fray.
