Former GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney praised the “can-do attitude” of Provo Mayor John Curtis while endorsing him Wednesday in the off-cycle special election to fill Utah’s vacant congressional seat.
“Throughout his career as a businessman and a mayor, John has solved tough problems,” Romney said. “That’s what Washington, D.C., needs now more than ever.”
It’s a big, albeit predictable, get for Curtis — the conservative candidate and automatic front-runner in the race to replace former Rep. Jason Chaffetz — who’s also had the backing of Utah Gov. Gary Herbert. The mayor has consistently polled first in the reliably red 3rd Congressional District, where Republican voters outnumber Democrats nearly six to one.
Romney, who owns a home in Holladay, is registered to vote in Utah and lives in the district, according to state election records verified by the Salt Lake County clerk’s office. He cast a ballot in the GOP primary pitting Curtis against former state Rep. Chris Herrod and investment adviser Tanner Ainge, though the vote itself is secret.
He said Wednesday that Curtis is “a leader who will get things done.”
Curtis, for his part, said he is “honored” to have Romney’s support.
“It’s time to bring Utah results and values to D.C. and end the dysfunction there,” he noted in an emailed statement.
The endorsement holds sway in the largely conservative state, which Romney won with 72.8 percent and a majority vote in all 29 counties in the 2012 presidential election (though he ultimately lost the race to incumbent President Barack Obama).
“It’s a huge deal in this race,” said Jason Perry, director of the Hinckley Institute of Politics. “The Romney name carries a significant amount of weight and if he’s behind you, significant portions of Utah come with him.”
Perry also said support from Romney is hard to earn.
“Everyone would love to have it, but it’s not just handed out.”
Follow @CourtneyLTanner