John Curtis, the Republican senator-elect from Utah set to replace Mitt Romney (R-Utah), has positioned himself as an independent voice who will support President-elect Donald Trump on key issues while maintaining the ability to disagree when necessary.
Curtis, who won the Republican primary for Utah’s Senate seat by defeating Trump-endorsed candidate Trent Staggs. has expressed his desire for Trump to be “wildly successful” in addressing challenges such as inflation, international conflicts, and border security. However, he has made it clear that he is not a “rubber stamp” for the president-elect and will maintain his own opinions.
“Look, I support President Trump when he’s dealing with some of these really tough issues that we have, the economy and the conflicts overseas. But I do have my own mind and I’m not a rubber stamp,” said Curtis in an interview with Jonathan Karl on ABC News’ “This Week.”
“My stamp is the stamp of the state of Utah and I represent those people.”
Curtis, who received more votes than Trump in Utah in the 2024 Election, criticized Trump at times in Congress and slammed the president-elect for encouraging an “act of domestic terrorism” in response to the deadly Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol attack. Yet he voted against both of Trump’s impeachments.
Prior to arriving in the Senate, he opposed Trump’s attorney general pick Matt Gaetz before the former congressman eventually withdrew his name from consideration amid backlash.
“So the best description for me is — is normal,” said Curtis when asked about labels like “MAGA Republican,” “Romney Republican,” and “McCain Republican.”
“Anybody who wants to give me heat for doing my job, bring it on. This is my job. It’s my constitutional responsibility,” Curtis said.
“These same people are the same people who would have said earlier, ‘You need to take power back from the executive branch. You need to do your job.’ I have heard that from these very same people, and that’s what I’m doing.”
He sounds good so far.
MAGA Legislation
With Republicans holding a narrow three-seat advantage (50-47) in the U.S. Senate, the potential influence of moderate voices is significant. If Curtis aligns himself with the moderation shown by Romney, he could join Susan Collins from Maine and Lisa Murkowski from Alaska as key GOP moderates.
Additionally, newly-elected Senator Dave McCormick from Pennsylvania presents another Republican who might not strictly adhere to MAGA principles. While it may seem like a longshot, this group—Curtis, Collins, Murkowski, and McCormick—has the potential to challenge extremist nominees and block radical legislation effectively.