John Curtis

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John Curtis
BornJohn Ream Curtis
10 5, 1960
BirthplaceOgden, Utah, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPolitician
Known forFounder of the Conservative Climate Caucus, U.S. Senator from Utah
EducationBrigham Young University (BS)
Children6
Website[https://www.johncurtis.org/ Official site]

John Ream Curtis (born May 10, 1960) is an American politician serving as the junior United States senator from Utah since January 3, 2025. A member of the Republican Party, Curtis previously represented Utah's 3rd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2017 to 2025, having won a special election in November 2017 to succeed Jason Chaffetz. Before entering federal office, he served as the 44th mayor of Provo, Utah, from 2010 to 2017. Curtis is the founder of the Conservative Climate Caucus in the House and has been a member of the centrist Republican Governance Group. In the 2024 election, Curtis was elected to the U.S. Senate to succeed retiring senator Mitt Romney. Throughout his political career, Curtis has been characterized by political analysts as a moderate Republican, a characterization he has at times disputed. His legislative record includes votes for the Respect for Marriage Act, and he has at various points diverged from elements of his party's leadership, including declining to support Donald Trump during the 2024 Republican presidential primaries. As a senator, Curtis has addressed issues including tariff policy, immigration enforcement, and the regulation of prediction markets.

Early Life

John Ream Curtis was born on May 10, 1960, in Ogden, Utah.[1] He was raised in Utah and grew up in a community with deep ties to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a dominant cultural and religious institution in the state. Curtis attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree.[1]

Before entering politics, Curtis pursued a career in the private sector. He worked in business and technology, accumulating experience that would later inform his approach to municipal governance, particularly in his efforts to attract technology companies and infrastructure investment to Provo during his mayoral tenure.[2]

Curtis's political party affiliation has shifted over time. He was a registered Republican before 2000 but was registered as a Democrat from 2000 to 2006, after which he re-registered as a Republican.[1] This period of Democratic affiliation has been a subject of discussion in his subsequent campaigns, though Curtis has maintained that his core political values remained consistent throughout.

Education

Curtis attended Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah, where he completed a Bachelor of Science degree.[1][3] BYU, operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is one of the largest private universities in the United States and is located in the city Curtis would later lead as mayor.

Career

Mayor of Provo (2010–2017)

Curtis entered electoral politics in 2009, running for mayor of Provo, Utah. He won the 2009 mayoral election, succeeding Lewis Billings as the 44th mayor of the city.[4] He took office on January 5, 2010, and would serve as mayor for nearly eight years.

Curtis won reelection to a second term in 2013, running a successful campaign that emphasized his first-term accomplishments.[5][6]

One of the signature achievements of Curtis's mayoral tenure was his work to bring Google Fiber to Provo. Curtis announced Google Fiber availability for small businesses in the city, positioning Provo as one of the early adopters of the high-speed internet service and attracting attention to the city's growing technology sector.[7] The Google Fiber initiative was seen as a significant economic development achievement for the city and helped establish Provo's reputation as a technology-friendly community.

Curtis announced that he would not seek a third term as mayor of Provo, instead setting his sights on higher office.[8] He was succeeded as mayor by Michelle Kaufusi.

Curtis's tenure as mayor was not without controversy. A lawsuit filed in 2018 alleged that Curtis and other Provo officials had ignored complaints of sexual misconduct by a former Provo police chief during Curtis's time as mayor.[9][10] The allegations drew media scrutiny and raised questions about oversight and accountability during his administration.

U.S. House of Representatives (2017–2025)

Special Election and Early Tenure

When Representative Jason Chaffetz resigned from Utah's 3rd congressional district in June 2017, Curtis entered the race to succeed him. Curtis competed in a Republican primary for the special election, which attracted national attention given the district's reliably Republican character.[11] On November 7, 2017, Curtis won the special election and was sworn into office on November 13, 2017.[1]

Curtis went on to win reelection three times, serving in the House until January 3, 2025. He was succeeded in the 3rd congressional district by Mike Kennedy.

Legislative Activity and Committee Work

During his time in the House, Curtis engaged with a range of policy issues, with a particular focus on public lands, energy, and climate policy. He was a member of the Congressional Western Caucus, reflecting his interest in issues affecting the western United States.[12]

Curtis was involved in debates over public lands management in Utah, including the controversy surrounding Bears Ears National Monument. He was among Utah lawmakers who pushed for legislation that would substantially reduce the size of the monument, drawing opposition from tribal nations and conservation groups.[13]

Curtis also introduced legislation related to the San Rafael Swell in Utah, proposing a bill that drew criticism from conservation groups. The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) and other environmental organizations criticized the proposal, with SUWA accusing Curtis and Senator Orrin Hatch of advancing a bill that did not adequately protect the area's wilderness character.[14] Additionally, environmental groups accused Curtis's office of overstating their support for one of his public lands bills.[15]

Curtis introduced H.R. 6088 during the 115th United States Congress, the text of which was made available through the House Committee on Natural Resources.[16][17]

Conservative Climate Caucus

One of Curtis's most notable contributions during his House tenure was the founding of the Conservative Climate Caucus. The caucus was established to provide a forum for Republican members of Congress to engage with climate and energy policy from a conservative perspective. The caucus sought to develop market-based and innovation-driven approaches to addressing climate change, distinguishing itself from both Democratic-led climate proposals and from Republicans who rejected the premise of climate action. The creation of the caucus drew attention as an effort to broaden the Republican Party's engagement with environmental issues and was seen as reflective of Curtis's moderate positioning within the party.

Political Positioning

Curtis was a member of the Republican Governance Group, a caucus of centrist House Republicans.[18] His voting record included support for the Respect for Marriage Act, which codified federal recognition of same-sex marriages. Political analysts have characterized Curtis's positions as broadly similar to those of Mitt Romney, the senator he would ultimately succeed. Curtis has rejected such direct comparisons, though the characterization has persisted in media coverage.

Curtis did not support Donald Trump during the 2024 Republican Party presidential primaries, a decision that further underscored his positioning as a moderate within the Republican Party. His willingness to break with elements of the party's Trump-aligned wing has been a recurring theme in coverage of his career.

U.S. Senate (2025–present)

Election

In the 2024 U.S. Senate election, Curtis ran for the seat being vacated by retiring senator Mitt Romney. He won the election and took office on January 3, 2025, becoming the junior U.S. senator from Utah, serving alongside senior senator Mike Lee.[1]

Tariff Policy

In February 2026, Curtis publicly praised a Supreme Court ruling that found President Donald Trump had unlawfully imposed certain tariffs. Curtis issued a statement affirming the importance of the system of checks and balances, positioning himself as a Republican willing to challenge executive overreach on trade policy.[19][20]

Immigration and DHS Oversight

Curtis has addressed immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, calling for a balance between compassion and adherence to the rule of law in the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).[21] In a separate incident, Curtis stated that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had "lost" trust following a fatal shooting by federal agents in Minneapolis, saying that Noem's response to the incident would "forever undermine trust."[22] These statements reflected Curtis's continued willingness to publicly critique actions taken by members of his own party's administration when he deemed them inconsistent with principles of accountability and public safety.

Prediction Markets

In 2026, Curtis joined Utah Governor Spencer Cox in opposing the expansion of prediction markets that offer sports-related contracts. Curtis pushed back against the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) on the issue, positioning Utah as a significant voice in the national debate over the regulation of such markets.[23]

Personal Life

Curtis resides in Utah and has six children.[1] He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, consistent with the predominant religious tradition in Utah.

Curtis's political party affiliation has undergone changes over the course of his career. He was registered as a Republican prior to 2000, then registered as a Democrat from 2000 to 2006, before returning to the Republican Party in 2006.[24] This shift has been discussed in media profiles and during his campaigns, though Curtis has maintained that his underlying political philosophy did not change significantly during the period of his Democratic registration.

Recognition

Curtis's founding of the Conservative Climate Caucus has been his most widely noted institutional achievement, drawing coverage from national media outlets and recognition from groups working on bipartisan climate policy. The caucus represented one of the first organized efforts by Republican members of Congress to develop a party-specific approach to climate and energy issues.

His work as mayor of Provo to bring Google Fiber to the city was considered a significant municipal accomplishment, attracting technology investment and positioning Provo as a competitive market for high-speed internet infrastructure.[7]

Curtis's election to the U.S. Senate in 2024, succeeding Mitt Romney, placed him in a position of heightened visibility within the Republican Party as one of its more moderate members. His willingness to publicly critique elements of the Trump administration's policies—including on tariffs, immigration enforcement, and DHS accountability—has drawn attention from both supporters who value his independence and critics within the party who view his positions as insufficiently aligned with Republican leadership.

Legacy

As of 2026, Curtis's career continues to evolve, and assessments of his legacy remain preliminary. His tenure reflects a pattern of engagement with issues that cross traditional partisan lines, particularly on climate policy and public lands management. The Conservative Climate Caucus, which he founded, has provided a framework for Republican engagement with environmental policy that did not previously exist at the congressional level.

Curtis's transition from municipal politics in Provo to the U.S. House and then the Senate has followed a trajectory that underscores his appeal as a candidate capable of winning in Utah's conservative political environment while maintaining positions that differentiate him from the party's more ideologically rigid members. His record on issues such as same-sex marriage recognition, climate policy, and executive branch oversight has placed him in the tradition of Utah Republicans—like Mitt Romney before him—who have charted an independent course within the national party.

His criticism of Trump administration policies on tariffs and immigration enforcement, delivered from within the Republican caucus, has contributed to ongoing debates about the direction and ideological composition of the Republican Party in the post-Trump era. Whether Curtis's brand of moderate Republicanism gains broader influence within the party or remains a minority position will be a significant factor in shaping assessments of his political legacy.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 "CURTIS, John Ream".Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=C001114.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ "Meet Mayor Curtis".City of Provo.http://www.provo.org/government/mayor-s-office/meet-mayor-curtis.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ "Meet Mayor Curtis".City of Provo (archived).https://web.archive.org/web/20131119034248/http://www.provo.org/government/mayor-s-office/meet-mayor-curtis.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ "Election 2009: Curtis wins Provo mayor race; incumbents tossed in some other races".Deseret News.http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705341959/Election-2009-Curtis-wins-Provo-mayor-race-incumbents-tossed-in-some-other-races.html?pg=all.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ "Curtis soars to victory and second term in Provo".Daily Herald.http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/elections/curtis-soars-to-victory-and-second-term-in-provo/article_54d3421f-84df-54eb-946d-3ca6c15562f8.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ "Provo City Mayor John Curtis wins re-election".The Daily Universe.http://universe.byu.edu/2013/11/06/provo-city-mayor-john-curtis-wins-re-election/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Provo mayor announces Google Fiber for small businesses in state".Daily Herald.http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/central/provo/provo-mayor-announces-google-fiber-for-small-businesses-in-state/article_183b7b1f-dfc4-5553-a126-0542a93c39d0.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ "Provo Mayor John Curtis announces he will not seek re-election".Daily Herald.http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/central/provo/provo-mayor-john-curtis-announces-he-will-not-seek-re/article_fdfb02df-3542-56a7-86a8-b22229ec613a.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ "New lawsuit describes Provo officials ignoring complaints of police chief's sexual misconduct".The Salt Lake Tribune.2018-03-20.https://www.sltrib.com/news/2018/03/20/new-lawsuit-describes-provo-officials-ignoring-complaints-of-police-chiefs-sexual-misconduct/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ "Rep. John Curtis, other Provo officials accused of ignoring complaints against ex-police chief".KUER.http://kuer.org/post/rep-john-curtis-other-provo-officials-accused-ignoring-complaints-against-ex-police-chief#stream/0.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ "Utah House Special Election Primary".The New York Times.https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/utah-house-special-election-primary.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ "Membership".Congressional Western Caucus.https://westerncaucus.house.gov/about/membership.htm.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ "Heated exchanges: Utah lawmakers push bill for vast reduction of Bears Ears Monument".Indian Country Media Network.https://indiancountrymedianetwork.com/history/sacred-places/heated-exchanges-utah-lawmakers-push-bill-vast-reduction-bears-ears-monument/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. ↑ "Conservation groups blast Sen. Hatch, Rep. Curtis' new San Rafael Swell bill".Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance.https://suwa.org/conservation-groups-blast-sen-hatch-rep-curtis-new-san-rafael-swell-bill/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. ↑ "Environmental groups say Curtis' office overstated their support for latest public lands bill".KUER.http://kuer.org/post/environmental-groups-say-curtis-office-overstated-their-support-latest-public-lands-bill#stream/0.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  16. ↑ "H.R. 6088 Text".House Committee on Natural Resources.https://naturalresources.house.gov/UploadedFiles/H.R._4532.pdf.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  17. ↑ "H.R. 6088".GovTrack.https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/115/hr6088/text.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  18. ↑ "Members".Republican Main Street Partnership.https://republicanmainstreet.org/members/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  19. ↑ "GOP Sen. John Curtis praises Supreme Court ruling against Trump tariffs".The Hill.https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5747753-trump-tariffs-supreme-court-ruling/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  20. ↑ "Press Release: Senator John Curtis Issues Statement on Supreme Court's Tariff Decision".Quiver Quantitative.https://www.quiverquant.com/news/Press+Release%3A+Senator+John+Curtis+Issues+Statement+on+Supreme+Court%27s+Tariff+Decision.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  21. ↑ "Sen. Curtis sees need for compassion with rule of law in ICE situation".Standard-Examiner.2026-02-23.https://www.standard.net/news/2026/feb/23/sen-curtis-sees-need-for-compassion-with-rule-of-law-in-ice-situation/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  22. ↑ "Sen. John Curtis says DHS secretary 'lost' trust following Minneapolis shooting".KSL TV.https://ksltv.com/local-news/sen-john-curtis-says-dhs-secretary-lost-trust-following-minneapolis-shooting/879923/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  23. ↑ "Utah Sen. Curtis Joins Gov. Cox In Fight Against Prediction Markets".Gaming America.https://gamingamerica.com/news/1042622/dont-bet-against-utah-utah-senator-john-curtis-fires-back-at-cftc-on-prediction-markets.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  24. ↑ "Utah County 2000 General Election Results".Utah County Clerk/Auditor.http://www.utahcounty.gov/dept/clerkaud/Elections/ElectRslts/2000_gen/INDEX.asp.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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