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SALT LAKE CITY — Rep. John Curtis, R-Utah, is reconsidering a campaign for Sen. Mitt Romney's seat in 2024 after a "drumbeat" of support from Utahns, the congressman said Thursday.
Curtis had said he was "very seriously" considering a run following Romney's September announcement that he would not seek reelection, but Curtis announced he wouldn't run on Oct. 2.
Thanks to a consistent push from some supporters, Curtis said he's once again exploring a run.
"The drumbeat from Utahns around the state asking me to reconsider my decision last month to stay out of the Senate race has been constant and consistent," Curtis said in a statement to KSL.com. "These voices, getting louder, and more organized, are increasingly difficult to ignore."
"Because so many Utahns have asked me to, I'm taking a fresh look," he continued. "As part of that evaluation, I'm considering not only what is best for me and my family but what's best for my current district and for our state. I'm counseling with friends, supporters, and my team."
If he decides to run for the higher office, Curtis will join an already crowded field of Republican candidates, including Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson, Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs, Roosevelt Mayor Rod Bird Jr., former Mike Lee staffer Carolyn Phippen and accountant Josh Randall.
According to political advertising tracking firm AdImpact, a political action committee called Conservative Values for Utah spent $89,000 to run TV spots in Salt Lake City encouraging Curtis to run.
The congressman, who was first elected in 2017 and is the longest-serving member of Utah's House delegation, touted his accomplishments in Congress so far.
"I'm proud of the results I've delivered for Utah during my six years in the House. I need to think about where I can be most effective," he said.
