John Curtis Bio
John Ream Curtis (born May 10, 1960) is an American politician who has served since 2025 as the junior United States senator from Utah. A member of the Republican Party, Curtis is widely regarded as a moderate voice in Congress and is the founder of the Conservative Climate Caucus. Before joining the U.S. Senate, he represented Utah’s 3rd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2017 to 2025 and served as the 44th mayor of Provo from 2010 to 2017.
Throughout his career, Curtis has emphasized pragmatic problem-solving on issues such as public lands, clean air, and economic development. A businessman-turned-politician, he has built a reputation for accessibility, holding more than 100 town hall meetings during his time in the House. He is married to Sue Snarr, with whom he has six children, and is fluent in Mandarin Chinese.
Early Life and Background
John Ream Curtis was born on May 10, 1960, in Ogden, Utah, to Jesse Duckworth “Dee” Curtis and Hazel Dawn Curtis (née Ream). His parents married in 1955, and Curtis was raised in the Beehive State. He grew up in a community shaped by the values of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to which he belongs.
Curtis attended Skyline High School, where he met his future wife, Sue Snarr. After graduating, he went on to attend Brigham Young University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business management. He also served a two-year mission for his church in Taiwan, an experience that helped him become fluent in Mandarin Chinese.
Following his education, Curtis entered the private sector, working for OC Tanner and the Citizen Watch Company. He later became the chief operating officer of Action Target, a Provo-based company, in 2000. His business background would later shape his approach to economic and community development in public office.
Path to US Politics
Curtis’s entry into politics came in 2000, when he ran for the Utah State Senate as a member of the Democratic Party, challenging incumbent Curt Bramble. He lost that race, capturing 33% of the vote to Bramble’s 66%. Despite the defeat, Curtis remained active in politics, serving as vice chairman and later chairman of the Utah County Democratic Party from 2002 to 2003.
By 2006, Curtis had returned to the Republican Party, the political affiliation of his earlier years. He set his sights on local office in Provo and won the 2009 mayoral race, defeating former legislator Stephen Clark with 53% of the vote. His campaign focused on safety, prosperity, and unity, themes that would carry through his later political career.
As mayor, Curtis prioritized economic development, downtown revitalization, and environmental initiatives. He helped bring Google Fiber to Provo by assisting with the purchase of the city’s existing iProvo fiber network, launched clean-air programs, and preserved Rock Canyon. He was reelected in 2013 with 86% of the vote and finished his tenure with an average approval rating of about 93%.
John Curtis Career
Early Career (2010–2017)
Curtis served as the 44th mayor of Provo from 2010 to 2017, earning a reputation as a hands-on executive. He championed downtown redevelopment, public-land preservation, and clean-air initiatives, while also pursuing his long-stated goal of creating a beach at Utah Lake. His willingness to engage with residents through a widely read city blog helped him build a strong local following.
His tenure was not without controversy. A 2018 lawsuit alleged that the city and Curtis had failed to protect employees from sexual misconduct by Provo police chief John King. The city ultimately paid $750,000 to settle the case. Curtis said any meetings about King had focused on administrative concerns and that he had ordered King to retake harassment training and, later, to resign.
U.S. House of Representatives Breakthrough (2017–2025)
After U.S. Representative Jason Chaffetz resigned in 2017, Curtis announced his candidacy for the special election in Utah’s 3rd congressional district. He won the Republican primary on August 15, 2017, defeating Christopher Herrod and Tanner Ainge, and went on to defeat Democratic nominee Kathie Allen in the November 7 general election. He was sworn into office on November 13, 2017.
During his time in the House, Curtis cultivated a reputation as a moderate Republican willing to break with his party on certain high-profile issues. He voted against both articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump in December 2019 but later called for Trump to be censured over the January 6 attack. He did not sign an amicus brief supporting the Texas v. Pennsylvania lawsuit challenging the 2020 election results and voted to certify both Arizona’s and Pennsylvania’s electoral votes.
Curtis was a key voice on environmental issues within the GOP. In June 2021, he founded the Conservative Climate Caucus, serving as chairman of a group that grew to include 73 House members. He also co-sponsored the Fairness for All Act, a Republican alternative to the Equality Act, and voted for the Respect for Marriage Act in 2022. He was reelected to the House three times before launching a successful bid for the U.S. Senate in 2024.
U.S. Senate Era (2025–Present)
In the 2024 election, Curtis won the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Mitt Romney, defeating former Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson and Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs. He went on to win the general election against Democratic nominee Caroline Gleich with 62.6% of the vote. He was sworn in on January 3, 2025.
Even before taking office, Curtis emerged as a consequential Senate voice, helping to sink the nomination of Matt Gaetz as Attorney General. In January 2025, he co-sponsored the Kids Off Social Media Act, which would set a minimum age of 13 for social media use and restrict algorithmically targeted content for users under 17. In April 2025, he introduced the Fix Our Forests Act to improve forest management and reduce wildfire risk.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Curtis’s signature accomplishments is the passage of the Natural Resources Management Act in March 2019, one of the largest public lands bills in decades, which included two proposals he carried for Utah. He has also held more than 100 town hall meetings, including a notable “walking town hall” to the top of Mount Timpanogos, reflecting his focus on constituent engagement.
John Curtis Career Wins
John Curtis has compiled a steady record of election victories across local, congressional, and Senate races. From his 2009 mayoral win in Provo to his 2024 Senate victory, he has consistently built crossover appeal in a state with both deep conservative roots and a sizable independent electorate.
Congressional Highlights
Curtis first won his congressional seat in the 2017 special election to replace Jason Chaffetz and was subsequently reelected three times to represent Utah’s 3rd district. His 2024 Senate primary win over Brad Wilson and Trent Staggs, followed by his 62.6% general election victory, marked the most significant win of his career to date.
Other Wins & Achievements
Curtis was reelected as mayor of Provo in 2013 with 86% of the vote, capping a tenure that ended with an average 93% approval rating. He was also recognized for his legislative effectiveness, with his office ranked #1 in accessibility and accountability.
John Curtis Family
Family Background and Political Lineage
Curtis was born to Jesse Duckworth “Dee” Curtis and Hazel Dawn Curtis (née Ream), who married in 1955. His upbringing in Utah and his family’s deep ties to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shaped his political values and community-focused approach to public service.
Personal Life
Curtis married Sue Snarr in 1982 after meeting her at Skyline High School. The couple has six children and seventeen grandchildren. Curtis is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, served a two-year mission in Taiwan, and is fluent in Mandarin Chinese. He is also known for his expansive collection of socks.