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SALT LAKE CITY — Longtime state lawmaker Sen. Curt Bramble will retire when his term ends at the end of 2024, the Utah Senate announced Monday.
The Provo Republican joined the Senate in 2001, and will have served for nearly 2½ decades when his term ends on Dec. 31. Bramble initially filed to run for reelection earlier this year, but faced multiple primary challengers from within the GOP.
"For 24 years, I've had the honor of representing Utahns and working together to solve the difficult challenges facing Utah," Bramble stated. "It is difficult to put into words what serving my friends, neighbors and community means to me."
He went on to call his service "one of the greatest privileges of my life," but said "there is a time and season for all things." Although the 2024 general legislative session is in the books, Bramble promised to continue to represent his constituents in Senate District 24 throughout interim meetings for the rest of the year.
"Sen. Bramble is an icon and dedicated lawmaker," Senate President Stuart Adams, R-Layton, said. "He never backs away from tackling challenging issues and works tirelessly to find solutions to complex issues. Sen. Bramble's expertise has helped our state implement tax policies that have spurred economic success. Additionally, he chaired the largest committee the Legislature has ever had with fairness, grace and order. I appreciate and commend Sen. Bramble's commitment and many years of service. The Senate and Legislature will feel his absence."
Bramble has served as chairman of the Senate Business and Labor Committee since 2013 and also heads the Administrative Rules Review and General Oversight Committee. He is one of the two longest-serving members of the Utah Legislature, along with Rep. Carol Moss, D-Salt Lake City, who was sworn in on the same day.
Bramble's departure will leave a rare open seat to be filled this November. Three Republicans — Rep. Keven Stratton, R-Orem, former state Sen. Dan Hemmert and former state Rep. Brad Daw — have thrown their hats into the ring, along with David Hinckley, the chairman of the Utah County Forward Party.
