• Utah Republican Rep. John Curtis, who has split with many on the right on climate change, has received thousands of yen in campaign contributions from green energy donors, according to Federal Election Commission filings. .
• Mr. Curtis recently jumped into the race to fill Sen. Mitt Romney's seat, which is retiring in 2024, after initially choosing not to, making the Republican primary even more crowded.
• “Republican primary voters [sic] They will have to choose whether to elect someone similar to the senator as their candidate. [Mike] I would argue that Mr. Lee resembles a true conservative, or even a senator. [Mitt] “Mr. Romney has never been a conservative, especially on these issues,” Tom Pyle, president of the American Energy Alliance, told the Daily Caller News Foundation.

Republican Rep. John Curtis of Utah, who recently competed for outgoing Sen. Mitt Romney's seat, raised thousands of dollars in contributions from the green energy industry for his bid for Congress, according to campaign finance records. That's what it means.

Mr. Curtis began his Senate campaign on January 2, after pre-voting shortly after Mr. Romney announced he would not seek re-election to the Senate, adding to a primary already filled with prominent Republicans. added. The congressman is split from many on the right on climate change, and has been backed by several political action committees (PACs) affiliated with green energy groups and corporations in four House elections, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings. Thousands of people participated.

“Curtis is one of a vocal minority in the Republican Party who believes the party needs to capitulate on climate change for fear of losing young voters, but polling data shows that That's not substantiated at all,'' Tom Pyle, president of the American Energy Alliance, told the Daily Caller News Foundation.

Mr. Curtis is the Chairman. Conservative Party Climate Change Caucus, states that the goal is to reduce emissions without limiting consumer choice. The caucus aims to inform lawmakers about “climate policies and laws that are consistent with conservative values.”

The congressman believes that curbing climate change will boost the economy, rather than hurt it, by encouraging private sector energy innovations such as carbon capture. according to To Politico.

Bipartisan Climate Action's political arm contributed $13,500 to legislators' campaigns from 2021 to 2023, FEC data show. show.The group is concentrated On re-electing members of Congress who will advance “important and lasting bipartisan legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” (Related: Lawmakers considering bids to replace Romney have a long history of making timely stock trades while in office)

From 2020 to 2022, PAC, an affiliate of the Environmental Defense Action Fund, contributed $5,500 to Curtis' congressional campaign. according to In FEC filings. The political arm of a nonprofit organization is Involved “Electing climate change champions”; encourage The Biden administration aims to promote electric vehicles and reduce emissions.

Sunnova Energy's corporate PAC donated $1,000 to Curtis' efforts in May 2023 and another $1,000 in late September, shortly after Curtis took office. announced He was thinking of running for Senate, but according to In FEC filings. The company allegedly took advantage of elderly customers who were on the verge of death and convinced them to sign expensive rooftop solar power contracts that lasted decades. according to To the Washington Free Beacon.

“Many of these companies are looking for ways to create bipartisan awareness around the issue of climate change. And when you have a member of the Republican Party talking about climate change, they naturally gravitate towards him. Deaf,” Pyle said.

The campaign also attracted $12,500 worth of contributions from PAC, an affiliate of the Solar Energy Industry Association, in 2022 and 2023, FEC records show. show.Industry group hope Solar power will “achieve 30% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030.”

Adjusted PAC sunpower and Sunruntwo solar energy companies both donated $2,500 to the congressman's campaign. 2022 and 2023respectively, according to FEC data.

Other affiliated PACs for green energy companies include: NextEra Energy, Sempra Energy and noble energy He has also donated thousands of dollars to Curtis' campaign, totaling $11,500 since 2018. according to to FEC Documents to be submitted.

I just left the lieutenant governor's office where I filed to run for the United States Senate. 🇺🇸 I will continue to work hard to get things done for Utah and make our state an even better place. Together, we can ensure a bright future for America. Please join us by donating or volunteering. https://t.co/U6Yw5H2k4H pic.twitter.com/1x9rSQndqx

— John Curtis (@CurtisUT) January 3, 2024

According to Politico, Curtis has criticized the Biden administration's costly green energy initiatives, including the President's signature climate law, the Cutting Inflation Act. The congressman has hosted Conservative Climate Summits on college campuses to talk to young voters about the issue, and has traveled overseas to the past three United Nations climate summits.

“He will be a very popular candidate among Republican front groups because he is in the minority in the Republican Party. [Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions] And clear pass. He will also be popular in previously Republican-leaning operations. [American Petroleum Institute] Republican strategist and former Trump administration energy adviser Mike McKenna told DCNF. “He may be one of the few people in Utah who doesn't advance from the Senate. [Mitt] Mr. Romney. ”

Curtis, a former mayor of Provo, Utah, is a former Democrat and served as county party chairman in the early 2000s. according to Go to Deseret News.

Brent Orrin Hatch, son of the late Sen. Orrin Hatch, who replaced Mr. Romney, also jumped into the race on the same day as Mr. Curtis. State House Speaker Brad Wilson will run for the Senate in late September, and Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs has been running for Mr. Romney's seat since May.

cook political report characterize Romney's seat in the “Solid R” category.republican party Major It will be held on June 25th.

Guidant Polls and Strategy Survey released In mid-December, Mr. Curtis had a 40% approval rating in the crowded Republican primary, followed by Mr. Wilson at 11% and Mr. Staggs at 6%. The remaining 43% of those likely to vote in the primary were still unsure of their choice.

“Utah voters have a choice,” Pyle said. “Republican primary voters [sic] They will have to choose whether to elect someone similar to the senator as their candidate. [Mike] I would argue that Mr. Lee resembles a true conservative, or even a senator. [Mitt] Mr. Romney has never been particularly conservative on these issues. ”

The Curtis campaign did not respond to DCNF's request for comment.

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