Utah U.S. Senator (Class 1) — John Curtis
John Ream Curtis (born May 10, 1960) served as a U.S. Representative for Utah's 3rd Congressional District from 2017 to 2025 and as Mayor of Provo from 2010 to 2017. A graduate of Brigham Young University with a degree in business management, Curtis is a moderate Republican known for founding the Conservative Climate Caucus and supporting bipartisan environmental solutions. He was elected to the U.S. Senate in November 2024 to succeed Mitt Romney.
Take a Republican approach to climate policy that prioritizes energy affordability and reliability as well as decreased emissions
Status: ongoing
Curtis co-sponsored the Kids Off Social Media Act (KOSMA) in January 2025 and introduced the Fix Our Forests Act in April 2025 with bipartisan support (alongside Senators John Hickenlooper, Alex Padilla, and Tim Sheehy) to improve forest management for wildfire risk reduction. He founded the Conservative Climate Caucus in his House tenure and continues climate advocacy. Heritage Action gave him a 94% score for 2025-2026, indicating alignment with conservative environmental positions.
Push to implement Utah's baseline budget in the Senate and fight reckless government spending in both parties
Status: in-progress
Curtis introduced the Fiscal Commission Act (S. 4012) in March 2026 to create a bipartisan, bicameral fiscal commission tasked with finding legislative solutions to stabilize spending and evaluate revenues with the goal of decreasing the national debt. The bill has 8 cosponsors including Senators Angus King (I-ME), Chris Coons (D-DE), Todd Young (R-IN), and others. The legislation reflects Curtis's campaign focus on fiscal responsibility.
Stand up to communist China's aggression and ensure strong security posture
Status: ongoing
Curtis serves on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and chairs the SFRC Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere affairs. He raised critical policy issues about China's global push for military and economic supremacy during Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearings on Secretary of State nominations in 2026. Curtis co-sponsored bipartisan legislation (with Senators Merkley, Cruz, and Kim) to expand U.S.-Taiwan cooperation on unmanned aerial systems development. He led a bipartisan Congressional delegation to Taiwan in April 2026 to affirm American support.
Defend Utah's lands from DC pressure and protect public lands access
Status: ongoing
Curtis sponsored and cosponsored major public lands legislation in his House tenure (Colorado River Salinity Control Fix Act, Great Salt Lake Stewardship Act). In the Senate, he continues work on land management issues with focus on federal permitting processes. Curtis introduced the ePermit Act (S. 3800) and Western Refined Fuel Reserve Act (S. 3407) to streamline energy development and resource management. In House service, he sponsored 13 bills that were enacted, many related to public lands and natural resources (20% of his sponsorship focus area).
Ensure energy independence and support American energy production
Status: ongoing
Curtis's campaign website highlighted energy independence as a core priority. In House service, energy represented 13% of his bill sponsorship focus area. He advocated for free-market energy solutions. Recent Senate bills introduced include Western Refined Fuel Reserve Act (S. 3407) to secure fuel reserves. Curtis was known for helping soften GOP-led proposals to eliminate clean energy tax credits in Trump's tax package in 2025, suggesting pragmatic approach to energy policy that balances conservative fiscal concerns with energy development needs.
Better enforcement at the southern border and border security
Status: in-progress
Curtis stated he would work to accomplish incoming President Trump's priorities including securing the southern border. He visited the southern border with Governor Spencer Cox in early 2025 as congressional Republicans discussed budget proposals. Curtis has not introduced standalone border security legislation in Senate to date, but he continues to support Trump's border security agenda as indicated by his voting record. His approval ratings show 51% approval overall (Morning Consult Q4 2025), reflecting mixed support on border policies.