Rep. John Curtis (R-Utah) has announced his bid for the Senate seat left vacant by the retiring Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah). Curtis made his official announcement to Salt Lake City’s KSL-TV on Tuesday, as reported by The Hill. There are several potential contenders for the seat, including Brent Hatch, son of the late Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).
Curtis had previously pledged to run for reelection in the House in 2024, but after receiving encouragement from many, he decided to consider the Senate run. As a three-term lawmaker and former mayor of Provo, Utah, Curtis believes his experience equips him well for the Senate. He is known for prioritizing Utah over media appearances.
The race for Romney’s seat has attracted other candidates, including Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson and several GOP mayors. The primary for the Utah Senate is set for June 25.
The retirement of Mitt Romney, who has been critical of former President Donald Trump, created this vacant Senate seat. Romney, who has served as a U.S. Senator since 2019, announced in October 2023 that he would not seek reelection or run for the presidency.
Romney’s departure from the Senate has left a void that several GOP contenders, including Curtis, are eager to fill. Romney’s stance on Trump suggested that he would support almost any other candidate, Republican or Democrat, over Trump in the 2024 election.
The race for the Senate seat in Utah is significant for both the Republican Party and the state. It will determine who will represent Utah’s interests in the Senate and potentially influence the direction of the party. The primary in June will be a crucial step in determining the Republican nominee for the general election.
Overall, Rep. John Curtis’s decision to run for the Senate seat left vacant by Sen. Mitt Romney’s retirement adds another interesting contender to the race. As the primary approaches, Utah voters will have the opportunity to evaluate the candidates and decide who will best represent their interests in the Senate.
