PROVO, Utah — Voters in Utah are on the brink of determining whether a Republican representative or a relatively unknown Democrat will take over Mitt Romney’s seat in the U.S. Senate.

U.S. Representative John Curtis, who has the distinction of being the longest-serving member of Utah’s congressional delegation, is strongly anticipated to secure victory in a state that has not elected a Democrat to the Senate in over five decades. Curtis is regarded as a moderate Republican akin to Romney, yet he promises to establish his distinct style of conservatism if elected.

Facing off against him is Democrat Caroline Gleich, an environmental activist and mountaineer from Park City, who has been trying to persuade voters that Curtis may not be as moderate as he presents himself.

The two candidates are in contention to fill the void left by one of Washington’s most notable centrists, who has been vocal regarding his critiques of former President Donald Trump.

Throughout their campaigns, Curtis and Gleich have frequently clashed over their divergent views on climate change, a crucial issue for both. Curtis, 64, has established the Conservative Climate Caucus in Congress, which promotes Republican solutions to climate concerns that he claims provide a balance between reducing emissions and safeguarding jobs and economic values.

Over his seven years in office, Curtis has gained a reputation for standing up to party leaders, including Trump, who inaccurately assert that climate change is a falsehood.

On the other hand, Gleich, 38, has accused Curtis of kowtowing to the fossil fuel sector and criticizes him for his votes against Democratic initiatives that she argues would have offered better protection for public lands, air, and water sources.

In Utah, moderate Republicans tend to have the upper hand in state-level races, as shown by Curtis’s primary success against a mayor endorsed by Trump earlier in June.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints members, who represent roughly half of Utah’s population of 3.4 million, have historically leaned Republican. However, there is noticeable reluctance among many to fully support Trump and his inner circle, as they feel his assertive demeanor and remarks about immigrants and refugees are out of step with their moral and religious values.

Polling locations across the state will open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. tomorrow, ensuring voters can make their voices heard in this significant showdown.