Curtis defeats Trump-backed Republican in Utah Senate primary to replace Romney

Rep. John Curtis (R-Utah) will be the Republican nominee for Senate in Utah to succeed retiring Sen. Mitt Romney (R), according to a projection from Decision Desk HQ. 

Curtis was one of four candidates running for the nomination who advanced to compete in the primary following a state GOP convention in April that narrowed down a wider field. He defeated his two most prominent opponents, Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs and former Utah state House Speaker Brad Wilson, along with one other candidate for the nomination. 

Curtis consistently led in the handful of polls that had been conducted in the race, though with less than 50 percent support and as high as a third or more of respondents saying they were undecided. He came in second place at the state convention to Staggs, who had the endorsement of former President Trump, as well as staunchly conservative Republicans like Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. 

The convention was made up of party leaders from throughout the state, but Curtis performed well enough to advance to the primary and overcome his loss at the convention as well as Trump endorsing his opponent. 

Curtis had the support of fellow Utah Rep. Blake Moore (R) and former Utah Rep. Chris Stewart (R) and key organizations like the Republican Main Street Partnership and the centrist Forward Party. During his time in the House, he founded the Conservative Climate Caucus, made up of Republican House members to discuss climate and environmental issues. 

He has been among the more moderate members of the House GOP on certain issues, voting in favor of the Respect for Marriage Act, which codified protections for same-sex marriage into federal law. He also was in the minority of Republicans who did not sign onto an amicus brief in favor of a lawsuit challenging the 2020 presidential election’s results. 

Curtis will be a heavy favorite to win the Senate seat to succeed Romney, one of the more moderate Senate Republicans, in the overwhelmingly conservative state.