OREM, Utah (AP) — Dancing to the “YMCA” song with families at a recent campaign rally, Trent Staggs waved a “Utah for Trump” flag, signaling his support from the former president in the race to replace retiring U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney.
Securing Trump’s endorsement helped Staggs, a lesser-known figure outside his Salt Lake City suburb, win at the state’s Republican convention in April. However, his ties to the “Make America Great Again” movement may not be sufficient to secure victory in Tuesday’s primary, where Utah’s more moderate GOP voters will have their say.
This election will determine whether the state leans towards a moderate conservative like Romney, with U.S. Rep. John Curtis as the front-runner, or a more far-right candidate willing to align closely with Trump. The outcome may also shape Utah’s place within the evolving landscape of the national Republican Party, heavily influenced by Trump’s leadership.
“We have somebody in John Curtis who would just be a continuation of Mitt Romney,” Staggs emphasized at the rally held in a park near Provo, where Curtis once served as mayor. “I don’t want another senator that has a disharmonious relationship with President Trump.”
While Curtis is the longest-serving member of Utah’s House delegation and has garnered support, particularly given the state’s half-hearted embrace of Trump, he faces challenges from Staggs and two other candidates who claim to support Trump’s agenda. These candidates include former Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson and businessman Jason Walton.
Despite Staggs’ criticisms, Curtis has been working to establish his own brand of conservatism, focusing on uniting Republicans on climate change issues. As founder of the Conservative Climate Caucus, Curtis has been educating fellow Republicans on the impacts of climate change and advocating for market-based solutions.
While Staggs prioritizes energy dominance over emissions reduction, Curtis believes in striking a balance to address climate issues while supporting industries like coal, oil, and gas that are vital to Utah’s economy.
Ultimately, the choice between Curtis and Staggs comes down to the values and priorities of Utah voters, many of whom are looking for a candidate who can effectively address local and national issues while staying true to conservative principles.
