Freshman wishlist: Sen. John Curtis plans on "being myself"
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Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah) is new to the Senate — but is already seen as a decisive swing vote for Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) to keep an eye on.
Why it matters: Curtis does not think he fits neatly into the Utah senator categories of Mitt Romney or Mike Lee. He plans to do his thing and acknowledges his vote isn't one to be taken for granted.
- "People want to quickly stereotype me," Curtis told Axios in an interview late last week.
- He said his seven years in the House show: "In one case, I'm going to vote a lot like Mike Lee. In another, I'm going to talk a lot more like Mitt Romney."
Between the lines: Asked if leadership should not just count on his vote, Curtis laughed and said, "I think I made that evident in my first two weeks here."
- "I'm going to make sure I understand why you're suggesting you vote no on this bill before I just vote no," he said.
- When asked if he has found some camaraderie with other senators expected to be decisive votes this year — Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Susan Collins (R-Maine), etc. — Curtis said," It's fair to say there is a connection."
What to watch: Curtis has been slow to signal his support for Trump nominees, but ultimately backed Pete Hegseth for secretary of defense last week.
- Now, all eyes are on what he decides on Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence. Her nomination is emerging as the most endangered of President Trump's picks.
- But Curtis is sticking to his thorough vetting process — including calling contacts who he thinks will have important insight on the nominee —and is keeping his cards close to the vest until it's done.
Zoom in: Confirmations aside, Curtis cares most about using his time in the Senate to tackle priorities he sees as in line with Trump's. That includes ...
- Permitting reform.
- Countering Chinese influence — Curtis lived in Taiwan for three years and speaks Mandarin.
- Tackling the national debt, which he sees as a big issue, especially in Utah.
One fun thing: Curtis wore a blue, windowpane, three-piece suit with a cream-striped tie the day of our interview.
- He prefers suits with patterns — even in the stereotypically stodgier side of the Capitol.
- "I don't consider myself a fashion icon, but the standard in the Senate is anything outside of blue and gray," Curtis said.
- He also has become known for wearing fun socks, and showed Axios a cabinet in his basement office full of them. He personally picks a pair out to give people on their birthday. "It's a personality thing to me," he said.
The bottom line: "I'm not going to be very good at being somebody else. I'm going to be really good at being myself," Curtis said.
