OGDEN, Utah (AP) — The Republican and Democratic candidates vying for Mitt Romney’s open U.S. Senate seat sought to convince Utah voters on Thursday that they have the better blueprint to tackle climate change and protect the state’s vast natural resources.
Republican U.S. Rep. John Curtis, who leads the Conservative Climate Caucus on Capitol Hill, squared off on the debate stage against a climate activist and mountaineer who aimed to undercut Curtis’ credentials as a climate-focused congressman.
“I’ve heard from young people who have debilitating anxiety about the future of our planet,” said Democrat Caroline Gleich. “I’m an environmental advocate, so I’m all about reduce, reuse and recycle, but we cannot keep recycling the same old politicians and expect them to get out of this mess.”
Gleich, 38, is the underdog in a deeply red state that has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1970. Utah voters typically favor moderate Republicans, like Romney and Curtis, in statewide elections.