Senator John Curtis (UT) participated in Sutherland Institute’s 2025 Congressional Series, which is sponsored by Zions Bank and hosted by the University of Utah’s Hinckley Institute of Politics.
Sutherland’s Nic Dunn moderated the discussion on Monday with the senator, where they covered election security, federalism, and artificial intelligence (AI).
On election security, Dunn asked the senator what he believes to be the role of the federal government in securing elections.
Curtis answered, with a light laugh, “The appropriate role of the federal government is to stay out of elections.” Later, he continued, “The Founders very wisely gave elections to the states.”
Sen. Curtis, noting that vote by mail can be contentious on a national level, but is popular in Utah, said, “I have just loved mail-in ballots” for its ease in studying the candidates and issues while having a ballot readily available.
Furthering the discussion on the federal government’s role, Dunn asked for the senator’s input on the defense of federalism and states’ rights.
“Let’s just start with the Constitution,” Curtis said, “the Constitution is very clear: there are very few roles given to the federal government.” The senator continued, “We do know that there are things that are done better on the federal level, and yet there are very few.”
Regarding AI, Dunn asked how Utah can emerge as a leader and innovator in the new technology.
Curtis explained that AI presents a unique opportunity for conservative leaders to engage in energy policy. He noted the immense amount of energy that AI data centers require to operate.
“The first thing we need to do is put protections in for consumers,” he said, expressing concern for the average family consumer and home energy costs.
To power AI, “includes lots and lots and lots of nuclear, it includes geothermal, it includes all sources of electricity.”
Curtis went on to say that legislators should be prepared to discuss climate and energy.
“Price matters, reliability matters, and cleanliness matters. And the market is driving all three of those things,” he said.
