Republican Rep. John Curtis won a three-way general election on Tuesday to become Utah’s next junior U.S. senator.

Curtis bested Democratic candidate Caroline Gleich, a prominent environmental activist and mountaineer. He also defeated right-leaning Independent Carlton Bowen, who criticized him for not being sufficiently “pro-Trump.”

Curtis’s victory means that one moderate Republican will be replaced with another. In September 2023, Mitt Romney announced that he would not seek reelection, likely ending his career in electoral politics. 

Romney had represented Utah in the U.S. Senate since 2019, while also serving as Massachusetts Governor from 2003-2007. He was the Republican presidential nominee in 2012 and lost to Barack Obama.

Utah, historically a Republican stronghold, has not elected a Democratic senator since 1970, according to the Associated Press.

 A new center-right voice for Utah 

Curtis, who once identified as a Democrat, has positioned himself as a bipartisan voice amid the complexities of contemporary politics. He has stated his support for Trump when the former president’s policies align with “Utah values.”

Throughout his campaign, Curtis emphasized key issues such as protecting public lands, increasing energy production, and fostering improved relations with China. His platform aims to resonate with a broad spectrum of Utah voters, reflecting the state’s combination of traditional conservative values and a pragmatic approach to governance.

More: Election 2024 live updates: Harris to speak; Trump policy foes not ‘giving up’

Jeremy Yurow is a politics reporting fellow based in Hawaii for the USA TODAY Network. You can reach him at JYurow@gannett.com or on X, formerly Twitter @JeremyYurow

SALT LAKE CITY — A mix of old and new faces will represent the state of Utah when the U.S. House of Representatives convenes for a new session.

Republicans Burgess Owens and Blake Moore will return to Washington after winning reelection Tuesday, while fellow GOP Rep. Celeste Maloy was elected to serve a full term after winning a special election last year to serve out of the rest of Rep. Chris Stewart’s term.

The new face among Utah’s House delegation is Mike Kennedy, who defeated Democratic challenger Glenn Wright in the Congressional District 3 race to replace Rep. John Curtis, who ran for Mitt Romney’s Senate seat and won.

In Utah’s 4th Congressional District, Owens first won election to the House in 2020 and reelection two years later. On Tuesday, Owens defeated Katrina Fallick-Wang by a wide margin.

Moore, who has represented the state’s 1st Congressional District since also winning office in 2020, claimed victory of democrat Bill Campbell.

Maloy faced the most precarious challenge in returning to Washington, defeating primary opponent Colby Jenkins by just 176 votes in an election that eventually went to a recount.

The University of Utah women’s basketball team is set to make history by playing its first-ever game at the Delta Center on Wednesday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m., when it takes on in-state rival Utah State. Originally scheduled for the Jon M. Huntsman Center, the game’s new location offers a unique opportunity for both the team and its growing fan base. Utes Head coach Lynne Roberts expressed excitement, noting the increased support for women’s basketball and how the sport’s national growth makes this an ideal event to spotlight in the Beehive State.

“This is a great opportunity for our team, and for our fans, whose support of our program has elevated significantly in recent seasons,” Roberts said. “With the growth and popularity of women’s basketball nationally, this is a great showcase for an in-state matchup.”

Why Utes fans will soon find it hard to support the Utah Jazz

The game’s move to the Delta Center, previously known as the Salt Palace, is another milestone for Utah women’s basketball as the program gains visibility and attracts larger audiences. This season opener has already shown promise; Utah began the season with a commanding 105-52 victory over Southern Utah. Six players scored in double figures, with Gianna Kneepkens leading the charge, scoring 18 points in her return after missing most of the previous season due to injury.

Next up, the Utes will face Weber State at home on Nov. 7 before traveling to play Northwestern on Nov. 14, marking their first away game of the season. With a strong start and an upcoming game in a larger arena, the Utah women’s basketball team continues to showcase its talent and build excitement among fans in what could be a memorable season.