[ad_1]
A Utah House member has introduced his choice to enter the race to replace retiring Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, three months after he advised residents within the state that he had “decided to stay out of the U.S. Senate race” to concentrate on unfinished enterprise for his constituents.
Utah Rep. John Curtis, a Republican who beforehand sought election to the state Senate as a Democrat in 2000, introduced his marketing campaign to a neighborhood TV station Tuesday.
Curtis, who has represented Utah’s Third District within the House since 2017, advised KSL-TV that he believes he can take the work he’s doing within the House and proceed to construct on it with a much bigger platform within the Senate.
“I think part of my ‘aha’ moment was I can do all of those and actually have a bigger platform and accomplish more,” mentioned Curtis, the previous mayor of Provo, Utah, who additionally served as a county-level Democratic Party official at one time.
Utah Rep. John Curtis, a Republican who beforehand sought election to the state Senate as a Democrat in 2000, introduced his marketing campaign to a neighborhood TV station Tuesday.
The choice from Curtis, who had thought-about getting into the race in September, got here after the lawmaker mentioned in an October op-ed that he had determined towards making a run for the Senate, citing his “commitment to the residents of the 3rd District.”
“We’ve accomplished a lot but my work for them is not done. I believe we need elected leaders who are more concerned about doing their job than getting the next job. To walk away now would leave a commitment unfilled. I want to finish the job,” he mentioned on the time.
On Tuesday, nevertheless, Curtis had a change of coronary heart and mentioned individuals had requested him to rethink his choice not to run.
“The second I made the announcement that I was not going to run, I started to have people reach out to me asking me to reconsider,” Curtis advised the TV station. “The very people who [I] had made that commitment to were a lot of those voices who said, you can actually serve us better in the Senate than you can in the House. And so without that, I don’t think I could have changed my mind.”
“I actually carry my seniority with me from the House to the Senate, so I won’t start as number 100. I think that’s very important for the state,” he added. “I also bring that experience of how to pass legislation. … I bring that, and then I also bring a Utah focus. People know that I’m not the guy who wakes up and tries to get on TV at night. I wake up and say, ‘What can I do for the district?’ And I think people have really appreciated that.”
Joined by House Speaker Mike Johnson and different members of the Utah House delegation, Rep. John Curtis, R-Utah, attends a swearing-in ceremony within the Rayburn Room of the U.S. Capitol on November 28, 2023. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc by way of Getty Images)
In a press release to Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for Curtis’ marketing campaign mentioned that the lawmaker “cares deeply about the future of Utah which is why he is running for the U.S. Senate.”
“After many Utahns from across the state reached out and urged him to run, John decided it was the right thing to do,” the spokesperson added. “He has a proven conservative track record of getting things done for Utahns and will continue to work hard every day to help make the state an even better place.”
STATE OF THE RACE: TOP FIVE SENATE SEATS HELD BY DEMOCRATS MOST LIKELY TO FLIP IN 2024
Curtis’ choice comes after Romney introduced in September he would not be in search of reelection to the higher chamber in 2024. In saying his choice, Romney declared he’s not “retiring from the fight,” and he bashed each President Biden and former President Donald Trump whereas calling for “a new generation of leaders.”
Curtis now joins a rising subject of Republicans in search of to replace Romney.
Former Utah state House Speaker Brad Wilson, Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs, Roosevelt Mayor Rod Bird Jr., former GOP Sen. Mike Lee’s staffer Carolyn Phippen, and a handful of others introduced their campaigns for the open Senate seat final 12 months. Brent Orrin Hatch – one in every of six youngsters of the late Utah Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch – additionally introduced his candidacy Tuesday.
Curtis advised the Salt Lake Tribune that his choice to be a part of the crowded subject of candidates got here after he had “personal conversations” with a handful of U.S. senators who additionally inspired him to enter the race.
Citing “multiple sources,” the Tribune reported that “Romney was one of those senators who lobbied him to join the race.”
Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, introduced in September he would not be in search of reelection to the higher chamber in 2024. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Asked in regards to the Tribune’s report, Liz Johnson, Romney’s chief of workers, advised Fox News Digital that the senator is “staying out of the race.”
“Utah is fortunate to have several candidates who are interested in serving in the Senate, and Senator Romney appreciates their willingness to serve. He is staying out of the race,” she mentioned.
Curtis’ marketing campaign did not particularly say whether or not Curtis had acquired help from Romney, however advised Fox News Digital that the “congressman has received encouragement from many elected officials.”
“Most of those would like to stay personal and private,” the marketing campaign spokesperson added.
Republicans carry a considerable benefit in Utah, outnumbering Democrats by a greater than 3-to-1 margin.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
[ad_2]
Source hyperlink