Tensions Flare in Utah GOP Debate Over Curtis’ Stock Purchase

In what became a fiercely contested moment during the Republican debate for Utah’s U.S. Senate seat, Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs took aim at Rep. John Curtis over his financial dealings. At the heart of the contention was Curtis’ acquisition of stock in Abbott Laboratories, a company that gained a federal grant on the very day Curtis made his purchase. Staggs’ accusation suggested a possible conflict of interest, igniting a sharp exchange between the candidates.

Rep. John Curtis was quick to counter the allegations, with robust support from his chief of staff who asserted that Curtis had no prior knowledge of the FDA’s authorization for Abbott Laboratories when the stock transaction was made. This defense aimed to dispel any notions of unethical behavior, emphasizing Curtis’ innocence in the timing of his investment.

The debate stage tension underscored the intensity of the Republican primary race, as Staggs later walked back his initial implications, clarifying that he was not in fact accusing Curtis of insider trading or any criminal activity. Despite this clarification, the incident highlighted the scrutiny and rivalry inherent in the political race for Utah’s Senate seat.