Rise to Success: Career Highlights of John Curtis

Discover the career path of John Curtis, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

John Curtis is an American politician who has served as the junior United States Senator from Utah since 2025. A Republican, he previously represented Utah's 3rd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2017 to 2025. Before his time in Congress, Curtis was the 44th mayor of Provo, Utah, holding that position from 2010 to 2017. His career reflects a trajectory from local government to federal representation, marking him as a prominent figure in Utah politics.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

2000: Ran for Utah State Senate

In 2000, John Curtis ran for the Utah State Senate as a Democrat but lost to Curt Bramble.

2000: COO at Action Target

In 2000, John Curtis took a position as COO of Action Target, a Provo-based company.

2002: Vice Chairman of Utah County Democratic Party

From 2002, John Curtis served as the vice chairman of the Utah County Democratic Party.

2003: Chairman of Utah County Democratic Party

In 2003, John Curtis served as chairman of the Utah County Democratic Party.

2009: Elected Mayor of Provo

In 2009, John Curtis was elected mayor of Provo, defeating Stephen Clark.

2010: Mayor of Provo

In 2010, John Curtis became the 44th mayor of Provo, Utah.

2013: Re-elected Mayor of Provo

John Curtis was re-elected as mayor of Provo in 2013 with 86% of the vote.

2016: Announced He Would Not Seek a Third Term

In 2016, John Curtis announced he would not seek a third term as mayor of Provo.

May 25, 2017: Announced Candidacy for Special Election

On May 25, 2017, John Curtis announced his candidacy for that year's special election in Utah's 3rd congressional district to replace Jason Chaffetz.

November 7, 2017: Special Election Win

On November 7, 2017, John Curtis won a special election to replace Jason Chaffetz in the U.S. House of Representatives.

November 13, 2017: Sworn into Office

On November 13, 2017, John Curtis was sworn into office as a U.S. Representative.

2017: U.S. Representative

In 2017, John Curtis started serving as the U.S. representative for Utah's 3rd congressional district.

May 2018: Curtis Introduces Emery County Public Land Management Act of 2018, Draws Criticism

In May 2018, John Curtis faced criticism for introducing the Emery County Public Land Management Act of 2018, with opponents arguing that the bill omitted approximately 900,000 acres of wilderness in its proposed designation, including areas like Labyrinth Canyon and Muddy Creek, and that it would open the door for coal mining.

June 13, 2018: Introduced SPEED Act

On June 13, 2018, John Curtis introduced H.R. 6088, the Streamlining Permitting Efficiencies in Energy Development (SPEED) Act, which proposed streamlining the oil and gas permitting process.

June 25, 2018: Congressional Subcommittee Overstates Support for Emery County Public Land Management Act

On June 25, 2018, it was announced that the congressional subcommittee overstated environmental groups' support for the Emery County Public Land Management Act of 2018. An aide to Curtis stated there was a mix-up and the record would be corrected.

December 12, 2018: Introduced Anti-Human Trafficking Act

On December 12, 2018, John Curtis introduced H.R. 7271, the "Public-Private Partnership Advisory Council to End Human Trafficking Act".

January 16, 2019: Introduced Government Shutdown Prevention Act

On January 16, 2019, John Curtis and Lloyd Smucker introduced the Government Shutdown Prevention Act, aiming to automatically continue government funding.

January 28, 2019: Introduced Transparency in Student Lending Act

On January 28, 2019, John Curtis introduced the Transparency in Student Lending Act to improve information provided to students taking on federal loans.

February 1, 2019: Introduced Bicameral Congressional Trade Authority Act

On February 1, 2019, John Curtis introduced the Bicameral Congressional Trade Authority Act of 2019.

February 13, 2019: Curtis Invites Subcommittee to Clean Air Challenge and Introduces Provo Clean Air Toolkit

On February 13, 2019, John Curtis invited the National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Subcommittee to join the Clean Air Challenge and introduced the Provo Clean Air Toolkit. The toolkit contained strategies for Utahns to improve air quality personally and for businesses to use on a larger scale.

February 26, 2019: Curtis advocates for the Natural Resources Management Act

On February 26, 2019, John Curtis advocated for the Natural Resources Management Act on the House floor, highlighting its local focus, long-term certainty for Emery County, expansion of Goblin Valley State Park, and generation of funds for Utah's schoolchildren through school trust land exchanges.

March 11, 2019: Natural Resources Management Act Signed Into Law

On March 11, 2019, the Natural Resources Management Act was signed into law, including two proposals carried by John Curtis.

April 5, 2019: Curtis Participates in U.S. Global Leadership Coalition Forum

On April 5, 2019, John Curtis participated in a panel discussion at a U.S. Global Leadership Coalition forum. He emphasized the importance of American diplomacy and foreign aid in bolstering U.S. national security and creating economic opportunities for Utah businesses.

July 10, 2019: Curtis Advocates for Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2019

On July 10, 2019, John Curtis advocated on the House floor for HR 1044, the Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2019, which he co-authored. This legislation aimed to eliminate per-country caps for employment-based visas and shift to a first-come, first-served process. After he spoke, the legislation passed the House, 365-65.

June 28, 2021: Announced Conservative Climate Caucus

On June 28, 2021, John Curtis announced the new Conservative Climate Caucus and serves as chairman.

2021: Co-sponsored Fairness for All Act

In 2021, John Curtis co-sponsored the Fairness for All Act, which would prohibit discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity, while protecting religious freedom.

2024: Curtis Elected to the United States Senate

In 2024, Curtis won election to the United States Senate, defeating Brad Wilson, Trent Staggs, and Caroline Gleich with 62.6% of the vote, after positioning himself as a unifying candidate.

2024: Elected to U.S. Senate

In 2024, John Curtis was elected to the U.S. Senate to succeed Mitt Romney.

January 3, 2025: Curtis takes office as US Senator

On January 3, 2025, John Curtis took office as a United States Senator.

January 2025: Curtis Co-Sponsors Kids Off Social Media Act (KOSMA)

In January 2025, John Curtis co-sponsored the Kids Off Social Media Act (KOSMA), setting a minimum age of 13 to use social media platforms and preventing companies from feeding "algorithmically targeted" content to users under 17.