Senator John Curtis (R-Utah) is actively exploring a potential gubernatorial run in Utah for the 2028 election, just 16 months into his U.S. Senate term, according to multiple sources briefed on the discussions. The move comes as the pragmatic Republican reportedly finds the increasingly polarized environment of Washington D.C. challenging and is responding to early political maneuvering by former GOP Rep. Jason Chaffetz.
Context: A Moderate Voice in a Polarized Era
Curtis, who succeeded former Senator Mitt Romney (R-Utah) last year, has cultivated a reputation as a moderate dealmaker throughout his three terms in the U.S. House. His tenure in Congress has seen him champion issues like conservation, notably founding the House’s Conservative Climate Caucus, and taking a firm stance as a China hawk.
However, sources close to the senator suggest a growing dissatisfaction with the legislative gridlock and partisan divisions prevalent in the Senate. One Utah Republican operative noted that Curtis
