Over a dozen Utahns jumped into the race to replace Republican Sen. Mitt Romney when he announced last year that he would not run to return to Washington.
After three-and-a-half terms in Congress, Rep. John Curtis emerged from a contest between 10 Republicans to secure the party’s nomination to take the seat of the former presidential candidate. While representing Utah in the nation’s capital, Curtis is perhaps most recognized for founding the Conservative Climate Caucus, which, it says, works to shape “climate policies and legislation consistent with conservative values.”
His Democratic opponent, climate activist and professional ski mountaineer Caroline Gleich, has repeatedly questioned the effectiveness of those policies, and whether they are independent from the influence of fossil fuels companies. She has testified in front of members of Congress on the impacts of climate change multiple times.
Independent American Party candidate Carlton Bowen, a self-described supporter of Donald Trump, says on his website he will be the “only conservative option” on the ballot, and alleges Curtis used money from “radical environmental groups” to “buy” his GOP primary victory.
The Salt Lake Tribune submitted the same set of questions, based on top issues readers said they were watching in this election, to each candidate. The questions and their answers that appear below — with the candidates listed in alphabetical order — may have been edited slightly for length, style or grammar.
What specifically would you do in Congress to mitigate the impacts of climate change on Utah?
Carlton Bowen: The Earth’s climate is always changing naturally. There are long-term climate patterns. Often near-record setting temperatures cite a record from the early 1900s, before widespread industrialization. The Great Salt Lake has been low in the past and was also at flood levels in the 1980s. It will be at flood levels again in the future — no matter what we do to try to control the climate and its effects. The climate change cause is more about control and profit than it is about the environment.
John Curtis: Did not answer.
Caroline Gleich: My climate plan will address carbon pollution and climate adaptation. First, we must accelerate our transition to clean, renewable energy while supporting our legacy energy-producing communities. We must ensure that the clean energy economy is led by American manufacturing and creates well-paying union jobs. We must begin to build and improve grid infrastructure to address the need for increased electricity loads. We need to remove federal subsidies and tax loopholes for fossil fuels.
As a member of Congress, what solutions would you propose or support for states that rely on a diminishing Colorado River?
Bowen: Colorado River flows are actually up the past two years, and while still low overall, Lake Powell’s level is significantly higher than it was just a few years ago. Fluctuations are natural. I support the system of dams on the Colorado River that puts Colorado River water to beneficial use. I support Utah’s continued development of its Colorado River Compact allotment, including the Lake Powell pipeline. Water is critical to continued and future growth in our state.
Curtis: Did not answer.
Gleich: We must find ways to save water and reduce water demand without impacting our wallets or jeopardizing the livelihood of farmers. We want agriculture to exist, but we need to invest in water conservation technologies and regenerative agricultural practices while pushing for interstate agreements that ensure fair water distribution and include local and Indigenous leadership in decision-making.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Independent American candidate Carlton Bowen answers a question during the congressional Senate debate at Weber State University in Ogden on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024.
Would you support legislation that protects fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization?
Bowen: I am pro-life and pro-IVF (in vitro fertilization). It’s a false narrative that laws protecting the sanctity of life prevent IVF. The only state (not Utah) where this was an issue, due to an unexpected state court ruling, quickly changed their law to ensure continued access to IVF. There’s no need for federal IVF legislation as this is a non-issue in all 50 states. I’m disappointed unelected judges in Utah are seeking to usurp our legislative process by blocking Utah’s pro-life trigger law!
Curtis: Did not answer.
Gleich: Yes. Two years ago, I decided to freeze my eggs and embryos for fertility preservation, using the same technology that thousands of women and couples use every year to help them reach their dream of having a family. The idea that extremist courts and politicians could get between patients and doctors to outlaw these procedures is outrageous. That is why I will fiercely defend Utahns’ reproductive freedom and ability to decide if, when and how to start a family.
(Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) U.S. Senate candidate, Caroline Gleich, waves to the crowd, in the Pride Parade, on Sunday, June 2, 2024.
Do you support easier pathways to legal immigration?
Bowen: Did not answer.
Curtis: Did not answer.
Gleich: Yes.
Do you support re-opening the application process for young people eligible for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program?
Bowen: No.
Curtis: Did not answer.
Gleich: Yes.
As suggested by Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, do you support mass deportations of undocumented residents?
Bowen: I support legal immigration and oppose illegal immigration. There are already multiple paths to citizenship for legal immigrants. We need to enforce our existing laws. It’s unfair to people who go through the long and arduous legal process to become citizens, to reward those who have ignored and violated our immigration laws with citizenship. I attended a citizenship ceremony in August. It is commendable to become a U.S. citizen! I support enforcing our existing laws, including the use of deportation.
Curtis: Did not answer.
Gleich: I do not. We have to end the dehumanizing and racist denigration of our immigrant communities and improve the systems and timelines for vetted immigrants to achieve citizenship. As Utah’s next U.S. senator, I will support comprehensive immigration reform that creates a fair and accessible path to citizenship for undocumented individuals. We can do all of this while maintaining a secure border.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) From left, U.S. Rep. John Curtis (UT-03) moderates a congressional round table during the Conservative Climate Summit 2024 at Utah Valley University in Orem on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024.
What will you do to end toxic partisanship in Washington?
Bowen: I respect all people as we are all children of God. I will listen and seek to find common ground on policy issues without compromising principles. When agreements can’t be reached, we can still be friends and agree to disagree.
Curtis: Did not answer.
Gleich: We need to elect officials, like myself, who are willing to put principle over party and listen to the needs of their constituents. Political partisanship has gotten out of hand, both here in Utah and in America. Polls show that a majority of Utahns agree on legislative solutions for a variety of key issues, yet our state leaders have continuously failed to act. Government should be a tool to help people, not a game focused on gaining power and beating the other team. We also deeply need campaign finance reform and to end [the U.S. Supreme Court precedent] Citizens United to ensure that politicians truly work for the people they represent, not for special interest groups, corporations or billionaires.
