Republican U.S. Rep. John Curtis wins Mitt Romney’s open Senate seat in Utah

PROVO, Utah (AP) — U.S. Rep. John Curtis will succeed Mitt Romney in the U.S. Senate after the Republican won a victory over his Democratic opponent in deep-red Utah.

Curtis defeated Democrat Caroline Gleich, a mountaineer and environmental activist from Park City, in a race that was often pitted against each candidate Climate policy. The new senator leads the Conservative Climate Caucus on Capitol Hill and has developed a reputation for pushing back against party leaders like Donald Trump who falsely claim that climate change is a hoax.

The former mayor of Provo began his political career as a county Democratic Party official. He is the longest-serving member of the US House of Representatives delegation in Utah and is considered a moderate in the spirit of Romney.

Curtis, 64, said he plans to develop his own brand of conservatism in the post-Romney era of Utah politics, with an emphasis on bringing Republicans to the table on climate change issues. In the June primary election, he emerged from a crowded pool of candidates Defeat a Trump-endorsed mayor. He said Tuesday night that he voted for Trump, sticking to his early promise to vote for the ultimate Republican presidential candidate

On Tuesday night, he took the stage with his wife, children and grandchildren at a lively watch party in Provo, the city where he was once mayor, to address supporters after his victory.

“You elected me to legislate, represent and represent you. My agenda will be your agenda. My voice will lift your voice. My voice will reflect your values. And together we will make Washington more like Utah.” Curtis added, “I hope you will see in my actions the dignity of cooperation and unity.” As Senator from Utah, I will make this model my mission.”

His group takes a market-based approach to climate issues, countering Democratic policies with proposals that Curtis says are aimed at reducing emissions without endangering American jobs and economic principles. Gleich had accused him of pandering to the fossil fuel industry instead of supporting measures they say are necessary to protect public lands, air and water.

The state has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1970.

Gleich congratulated Curtis in a statement, saying she was proud of the campaign she ran and looked forward to working with Curtis to help protect the environment.

“Although the outcome was not what we expected, we remained focused on critical issues: climate action, public lands and reproductive freedom,” Gleich said.

Moderate Republicans tend to prevail in statewide elections in Utah. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who make up about half of the state’s 3.4 million residents, have been a reliable Republican voting bloc for decades. But many were hesitant to embrace Trump and his allies, saying the former president’s brash style and comments about immigrants and refugees contradicted their religious beliefs.