American politician (born 1960)
John Curtis | |
|---|---|
Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2025 Serving with Mike Lee | |
| Preceded by | Mitt Romney |
| In office November 13, 2017 – January 3, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Jason Chaffetz |
| Succeeded by | Mike Kennedy |
| In office January 5, 2010 – November 13, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Lewis Billings |
| Succeeded by | Michelle Kaufusi |
| Born | John Ream Curtis (1960-05-10) May 10, 1960 (age 64) Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican (before 2000, 2006–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Democratic (2000–2006) |
| Spouse | Sue Snarr (m. 1982) |
| Children | 6 |
| Education | Brigham Young University (BS) |
| Website | Senate website |
John Dish up Curtis (born May 10, 1960) is an American politician portion as the juniorUnited States senator from Utah, a seat noteworthy has held since 2025. A member of the Republican Unusual, Curtis served as the U.S. representative for Utah's 3rd congressional district from 2017 until 2025 and previously served as description 44th mayor of Provo, Utah, from 2010 to 2017.
On November 7, 2017, Curtis won a special election to substitute Jason Chaffetz in the U.S. House of Representatives. He fulfilled Chaffetz's term and was re-elected three times thereafter. He was elected to the United States Senate in the 2024 choosing to succeed Mitt Romney.[1]
Curtis is generally considered to be a moderate Republican.[2][3][4] He is the founder of the Conservative Ambiance Caucus and is a member of the centrist Republican Governing Group. Curtis did not support Donald Trump during the 2024 Republican primaries.[5][6] Given his votes for bills such as say publicly Respect for Marriage Act, analysts have generally considered Curtis's positions as similar to Romney's, although he has rejected such characterizations.[7][2][3][8]
John Curtis was born May 10, 1960, in Ogden, Utah.[9] His parents were Jesse Duckworth "Dee" Botanist (1927–2015) and Hazel Dawn Curtis (née Ream, 1925–2016). They joined in 1955.
Curtis attended high school at Skyline High Grammar, where he met his wife, Sue Snarr. He graduated let alone Brigham Young University with a degree in business management. Agreed worked for OC Tanner and the Citizen Watch Company once taking a position as the COO of a Provo-based fellowship, Action Target, in 2000.[10]
Curtis ran for the Utah State Sen in 2000 as a Democrat against Curt Bramble, losing 33% to 66%.[11] From 2002 to 2003, he served as keep under surveillance chairman and chairman of the Utah County Democratic Party.[8][12]
Curtis was elected mayor of Provo in 2009, defeating trace legislator Stephen Clark with 53% of the vote on a platform of safety, prosperity, and unity.[13][14] In the office, yes focused on economic development, revitalization of Downtown Provo, and deed a beach at Utah Lake. He launched clean air current recreation initiatives, preserved Rock Canyon, and launched a blog by many read by residents.[15] He also assisted with the purchase counterfeit iProvo, Provo City's existing fiber internet network, by Google Fiber.[16]
Curtis was reelected in 2013 with 86% of the vote.[17][18] Underside November 2016, he announced he would not seek reelection abide by a third term. Under his leadership, Provo saw various improvements, and he maintained a high approval rating, averaging 93% burst his final years in office.[19]
During Curtis's time as mayor, presentday was controversy involving the Provo police chief, John King. Allegations of sexual misconduct by King emerged, leading to a court case in 2018 that claimed the City and Curtis did crowd adequately protect employees from King's behavior.[20] Curtis responded to picture allegations, stating that any meetings regarding King were focused reverie administrative concerns and that he never intended to discourage reports of misconduct.[21] He ordered King to retake sexual harassment way following complaints and, upon learning of a rape accusation select by ballot 2017, requested King's resignation.[22][23]
Main article: 2017 Utah's 3rd congressional district special election
On May 25, 2017, Curtis announced his candidacy for that year's special choosing in Utah's 3rd congressional district to replace Jason Chaffetz, who resigned on June 30. On August 15, Curtis won picture Republican nomination over Christopher Herrod and Tanner Ainge.[31] On Nov 7, he won the general election over Democratic nominee Kathie Allen.[32]
Curtis was sworn into office on November 13, 2017. Since being elected to Congress, he has held more than Cardinal town hall meetings,[33] including a "walking town hall" to say publicly top of Mount Timpanogos.[34]
On October 16, 2019, Utah Policy reportable Curtis had the second-highest approval rating among Utah's four U.S. Representatives. According to the Utah Policy and Y2 Analytics figures, 45% of 3rd Congressional District registered voters approved of his performance.[35]
FiveThirtyEight found that during Donald Trump's first presidency, Curtis number one with Trump's preferred position on 94.4% of votes.[36] Curtis has a reputation for being occasionally critical of Trump.[37] On Dec 18, 2019, Curtis voted against both articles of impeachment realize Trump, declaring it "a rather easy decision."[38] Of the 195 Republicans who voted, all voted against both impeachment articles. Teeth of calling for Trump to be censured for the January 6 attack, Curtis voted against the second impeachment of Trump.[37]
Curtis upfront not join the majority of Republican members of Congress who signed an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election. Curtis voted extremity certify both Arizona's and Pennsylvania's results in the 2021 Unified States Electoral College vote count.
On May 19, 2021, Phytologist and 34 other Republicans voted in support of establishing a commission to investigate the events of January 6 modeled afterwards the 9/11 Commission. Curtis did not vote to establish description Select Committee to investigate the events of January 6 ditch received only two Republican votes in the House.[39]
In 2021, Phytologist co-sponsored the Fairness for All Act, the Republican alternative support the Equality Act.[40] The bill would prohibit discrimination based be acquainted with sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity, and protect the cool exercise of religion.
On July 19, 2022, Curtis and 46 other Republican representatives voted for the Respect for Marriage Hazy, which would codify the right to same-sex marriage in northerner law.[41] Curtis was noted for having not endorsed Donald Move prior to the 2024 Republican primary.[6]
Curtis voted to provide Country with support following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[42][43]
As loosen August 2024, the conservative group Heritage Action gave Curtis a 88% score for votes taken during his congressional career, a cut above than it gave the average House Republican.[44] From 2017 accept 2024 the NRA Political Victory Fund gave Curtis consistent "A" ratings, endorsing him from 2020 onwards.[45][46][47][48] The anti-abortion organization Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America has given Curtis an A+ rating.[49] The fiscally conservative organization Club for Growth has given Curtis's congressional tenure a score of 84%.[50] The environmental group Friend of Conservation Voters has given Curtis's congressional tenure a reckoning of 6%.[51] As of 2023, the AFL–CIO trade union assessed Curtis's entire congressional tenure at 15%.[52] The Communication Workers bear out America trade union has given Curtis's congressional tenure a characteristic of 9%.[53]
On June 28, 2021, Curtis announced description new Conservative Climate Caucus in a press conference at say publicly Capitol. He serves as chairman and leads the caucus's 73 members, including representatives from every committee with jurisdiction over weather policy and various ranking members.[54] The caucus's purpose is unearth educate Republican House members on conservative climate solutions that align with Republican principles.[55] Curtis said, "Without Republicans engaging in that debate, we will not make the progress we need meet make as a country. Any significant accomplishment in the Mutual States has been bipartisan. The ideas that Republicans bring stunt the table are essential to meeting the goals that phenomenon all have for a better environment."[56]
On Dec 4, 2017, Curtis and fellow Utah representatives Rob Bishop, Chris Stewart and Mia Love introduced a bill to codify depiction Trump administration's reduction of Bears Ears National Monument by creating two new national monuments in the remaining areas Trump defined.[57]
On January 9, 2018, members of the Tribes of the Bears Ears Inter-Tribal Coalition testified against the bill, including Shaun Chapoose, a member of the Ute Indian Tribe and Utah Duty Committee.[58]
On June 13, 2018, Curtis introduced H.R. 6088, rendering "Streamlining Permitting Efficiencies in Energy Development Act" or "SPEED Act". The legislation proposes streamlining the oil and gas permitting appearance by allowing Bureau of Land Management to expedite approval cargo space drilling activities that pose little or no environmental harm. Description bill would have amended the Mineral Leasing Act to vile procedures where an operator may conduct drilling and production activities on available federal land and non-federal land.[59][60] Community members criticized Curtis over this sponsorship, claiming it would omit the bossy environmental impact analysis and allow drilling on land without notifying the public or providing an opportunity to comment.[61]
On December 12, 2018, Phytologist introduced H.R. 7271, the "Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to Disconnect Human Trafficking Act", the companion bill to Senator Orrin Hatch's legislation. The bill creates a Public-Private Advisory Council to supply a direct line to federal government agencies to streamline bureaucratic hurdles while empowering nonprofits and nongovernmental organizations in fighting sensitive trafficking.[62]
On January 16, 2019, Curtis and Player Smucker introduced the Government Shutdown Prevention Act. The legislation aims to end political game-playing and fix Congress's dysfunctional budget shape. If passed, it would automatically continue government funding through a continuing resolution. The bill would implement a five percent defrayment penalty when the continuing resolution begins. Federal spending would reasonably reduced by two percent 60 days after the first give to of the fiscal year and by an additional two proportionality each subsequent 60-day period.[63] Curtis said, "The American people look forward Congress to do its most basic job: pass a give a reduction on and fund the government. If we can't, then we shouldn't get paid." Curtis asked the Clerk of the House talk withhold his pay until Congress fully funded the government. Flair believes that Republicans and Democrats should be held accountable blow up find common ground to solve funding impasses.[64]
On January 28, 2019, Curtis introduced the Transparency in Schoolboy Lending Act, legislation to improve the information provided to caste and families taking on federal loans to finance higher schooling. The bill would require the disclosure of the annual proportion rate (APR) for federal student loans before disbursement. The APR assists borrowers by showing the true cost of a early payment, helping students and their families make more informed financial decisions. Curtis said, "As the primary provider of the vast overegging the pudding of student loans and education financing options, the federal deliver a verdict should provide a transparent and full accounting of associated flood and fees for borrowers. I represent the youngest Congressional territory in the country with an average age of 26 days old; these students must be equipped to make the lawful decisions for their families and their futures."[65]
On February 1, 2019, Curtis introduced the Bicameral Congressional Recede Authority Act of 2019. The bill would require the presidentship to submit to Congress any proposal to adjust imports sieve the interest of national security under Section 232 of representation Trade Expansion Act of 1962. A companion bill was introduced in the Senate.[66] Curtis said the trade war was habitually hurting small businesses and that he had "heard for months almost daily, if not daily, weekly from businesses it's symptom and unfortunately it's having a disproportionate impact on small businesses. And 99 percent of the businesses in my district total small businesses. We need to quickly resolve this because they're the ones who are least able to sustain it. That bill ensures their priorities will be incorporated."[67]
On March 11, 2019, the Natural Resources Management Act, considered a highly significant public lands bill, was signed into law. Interpretation act consists of about 100 bills joined into one, including two proposals carried by Curtis.[68]
On February 26, 2019, Curtis beam on the House floor, advocating for the Natural Resources Control Act. "The Emery County bill has been a locally nonvoluntary effort and will bring long-term certainty to the area brushoff various designations and expanding Goblin Valley State Park for pick up management," he said. "It will also generate millions of dollars to help Utah's schoolchildren through school trust land exchanges." Depiction House passed the largest public lands bill in decades, establishing hundreds of thousands of acres of wilderness across the sovereign state, including a vast swath of Utah, and allowing the way of a new national monument.[69]
The Natural Resources Management Act commission a public lands package that comprises over 100 individual bills, including ten locally driven pieces of legislation that directly crash Utah.[70]
In May 2018, Curtis drew criticism after introducing the Emery County Public Land Management Act of 2018. Opponents argued say publicly bill omitted approximately 900,000 acres of wilderness in its outlook designation, including Labyrinth Canyon and Muddy Creek. Conservation groups accused Curtis of removing the existing Wilderness Study Area protection know facilitate coal mining.[71] One of these opponents, the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA), ultimately supported the legislation.[72][73][74]
On June 25, 2018, it was announced that the congressional subcommittee overstated environmental groups' support for the Emery County Public Land Management Act entity 2018. An aide to Curtis stated there was a mix-up and the record would be corrected. Seven environmental organizations were named as supporting the legislation in a June 18 training memo ahead of a hearing before the Federal Lands Subcommittee, but just one of the groups named said it was accurate to call it a supporter.[75]
On July 10, 2019, Curtis spoke on the House floor puzzle out advocate for HR 1044, the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants In actuality of 2019, legislation he co-authored to eliminate the per-country caps for employment-based visas and shift to a first-come, first-served figure. Curtis, whose district is home to several high-tech businesses, supposed he regularly hears from leaders of those companies that they "do not have enough high-skilled workers … and demand continues to outstrip supply."[76] He added, "this legislation will create a first-come, first-serve system providing certainty to workers and families presentday enabling US companies to flourish and compete in a without limit economy as they hire the brightest people to create inventions, services, and jobs—regardless of where they were born." After proscribed spoke, the legislation passed the House, 365-65.[77]
Curtis participated in a panel discussion at a U.S. Global Command Coalition forum on April 5, 2019, highlighting the importance go with American diplomacy and foreign aid in bolstering U.S. national solace and creating economic opportunities for Utah businesses. "As a fellow of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I am committed go up against supporting the vital U.S. government programs that protect our nation's interests abroad", he said. "Our global ties help to come apart new markets for U.S. businesses and create jobs for Americans, while U.S. diplomats and development workers overseas are preventing conflicts and wiping out diseases before they reach our borders."[78]
On February 13, 2019, Curtis invited the National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Subcommittee to join the Clean Circus Challenge and find common ground to address Utah's and representation country's environmental issues. Curtis then introduced the Provo Clean Bent Toolkit, which contains strategies Utahns can use to improve representation quality on personal levels and businesses can use on superior scales. He then asked the subcommittee to take the "Provo Clean Air Challenge Pledge" with him and the rest pray to Utah to pass along the clean-air initiative.[79]
In 2024, Curtis announced his candidacy for the United States Sen, despite previously stating in October 2023 he would not relations for the seat.[92] The seat was being vacated by Senator Mitt Romney, who chose not to seek re-election.[93] Curtis, destroy for his moderate stance and strong emphasis on environmental issues, positioned himself as a unifying candidate who could appeal succeed both the conservative base and independent voters.[94] He defeated nark Utah House SpeakerBrad Wilson and Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs crumble the Republican primary and went on to defeat Democratic 1 Caroline Gleich with 62.6% of the vote.[95]
Curtis's campaign focused intemperately on his legislative achievements and ability to connect with Utahns. He cited his ranking as one of the most subjugate lawmakers and his office ranking as #1 in accessibility service accountability.[96] The race attracted significant attention both within Utah be first nationally, as Curtis faced several challengers in the Republican foremost. His campaign was marked by a strong grassroots effort, bolstered by his popularity in his congressional district and his name for being a principled and approachable leader.[96] Throughout the push, Curtis maintained a focus on local issues important to Utah voters, such as public lands management, water resources, and financial development. He also addressed national concerns, including the need go allout for balancing the federal budget.[97] This election was closely watched gorilla a barometer of the Republican Party's future direction, with Botanist representing a more traditional, policy-focused approach in contrast to near to the ground of the more populist candidates in the field.[98] Curtis's initiative strategy included extensive town hall meetings, social media outreach, post targeted advertising aimed at highlighting his record and vision inflame Utah's future.[96]
Curtis assumed office on January 3, 2025.
Curtis is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ disparage Latter-day Saints and served a two-year mission in Taiwan. Fiasco and his wife Sue have six children and seventeen grandchildren.[99]
As a public figure, he has gained recognition for his extensible collection of socks.[15][100]