John Curtis on Breaking Battlegrounds
Breaking Battlegrounds interviewed John Curtis three times while he represented Utah’s 3rd District in the House, including during the 2024 campaign that sent him to the U.S. Senate. The show has followed Utah politics closely.
This page collects all three John Curtis interviews, covering a conservative approach to climate, public lands, China, and his path to the Senate.
Who Is John Curtis?
John Curtis is a Republican U.S. senator from Utah, sworn in in January 2025 to succeed Mitt Romney after seven years representing Utah’s 3rd District in the House. He won the 2024 Republican primary over Trent Staggs and then the general election over Caroline Gleich.
In the Senate he serves on the Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Environment and Public Works; Foreign Relations; and Small Business committees. He chairs the Environment and Public Works subcommittee that covers chemical safety and regulatory oversight, and the Foreign Relations subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere and transnational crime. His recent bills include the Fiscal Commission Act, the ePermit Act, and the Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act.
Before Congress, Curtis served two terms as mayor of Provo, winning re-election in 2013 with 86.5% of the vote. Before that, he was a small business owner who helped build the company Action Target. He holds a business management degree from Brigham Young University, speaks Mandarin Chinese, and has six children with his wife, Sue.
John Curtis's Appearances on Breaking Battlegrounds
Podcast 195: China, the Border, and Utah's Senate Primary (June 2024)
Days before Utah’s 2024 Senate primary, Curtis discussed national security concerns about China and the border, President Biden’s high-speed internet plan, and the race itself. New York Post reporter Jon Levine joined later to cover 2024 presidential polling and Trump’s vice-presidential options.
Podcast 187: Inside Washington with Congressman John Curtis (April 2024)
With Sam Stone and guest host Sean Noble, Curtis discussed his support for Donald Trump and his voting record, the Biden administration’s rulemaking on public lands, foreign aid, and military procurement. Washington Examiner commentary editor Conn Carroll joined later in the episode.
Podcast 26: The Conservative Approach to Climate (2021)
In his first appearance, Curtis joined Chuck and Sam to make the case for a conservative approach to climate change, an issue he has championed within the Republican Party. He also discussed his work for Utah’s 3rd District, the youngest district in the country, with an average age of 26.
What John Curtis Focuses On: Key Themes
- A conservative approach to climate and energy. He argues Republicans should lead on environmental issues with market-based solutions.
- Public lands and permitting. He has opposed federal overreach on Western lands and backs faster federal permitting.
- China and the Western Hemisphere. He is a Mandarin speaker who focuses on competition with China and now chairs the Senate subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere.
- Getting things done. He has been recognized as one of the most effective lawmakers in Congress.
Related Episodes and Explainers
Follow John Curtis
- Official Senate website: curtis.senate.gov
- Election profile: John Curtis on Ballotpedia
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is John Curtis?
A Republican U.S. senator from Utah since 2025, a former congressman for Utah’s 3rd District, and a former mayor of Provo.
Who did John Curtis replace in the Senate?
Mitt Romney, who retired at the end of his term.
What committees is John Curtis on?
Commerce; Environment and Public Works; Foreign Relations; and Small Business.
How many times has John Curtis been on Breaking Battlegrounds?
Three times, between 2021 and 2024.
