Republican Congressman John Curtis has secured a seat in the U.S. Senate representing Utah, following the departure of incumbent Senator Mitt Romney.
Curtis triumphed over Democrat Caroline Gleich, who is known for her work as a mountaineer and environmental activist. Given Utah’s strong Republican leaning, Curtis was widely expected to prevail against the less prominent Democrat candidate.
The moderate Republican has drawn comparisons to Romney due to his willingness to challenge Donald Trump and fellow party members who dismiss climate change as a fictitious concern. In addition to his congressional role, Curtis chairs the Conservative Climate Caucus in Washington and previously served as the mayor of Provo.
The official announcement of Curtis’s victory came at 10:00 p.m. EST, confirming his position in the Senate.