Blackburn demands Durbin subpoena unredacted Epstein flight logs as Senate Judiciary Committee’s ‘first act’
Tennessee GOP Sen. Marsha Blackburn called on Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Dick Durbin, D-Ill., to subpoena Jeffrey Epstein’s flight logs as the committee’s “first act” when it resumes business next week. Fox News Digital obtained Blackburn’s Wednesday letter to Durbin in which she called on the chairman to subpoena the unredacted versions of Epstein’s flight logs and Ghislaine Maxwell’s “little black book” when the committee resumes work. Epstein, the former financier and convicted sex offender, died in a Manhattan jail in 2019 while awaiting his sex trafficking trial. His death was ruled a suicide. Maxwell, who was Epstein’s accomplice and former girlfriend, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison in 2021 for child sex trafficking. Blackburn’s letter comes as names from Epstein’s logs are set to be released this week. JEFFREY EPSTEIN LIST: DEADLINE FOR ASSOCIATES TO APPEAL UNSEALING HAS PASSED, NAME DROPS COULD BEGIN TODAY The Tennessee senator told Fox News Digital that while she could not say who was on Epstein’s list, it is “important for us to keep in mind that this is one list from one trial involving one victim, one judge, and there are many other victims.” Blackburn said she wanted to get transparency to discover “who was involved in what way with Epstein, so that we can begin to break apart this sex trafficking ring and figure out who all was involved with him.” “Are they still involved in sex trafficking? Was there any association with cartels?” she continued. “We have and we’re hearing from mayors all across the country about the proliferation of sex trafficking rings and how they have seen this.” “We’ve watched human trafficking become about [a] $150 billion-a-year business. And as the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Human Rights, it’s important to me that we continue the work we’re doing to fight against this human trafficking.” Blackburn said Epstein’s list is “going to be a mix of individuals” who were involved with him in some way and that the “names of the victims are going to be kept private.” The Tennessee Republican said she sent a letter to Durbin in which she called on him to subpoena the names on Epstein’s list and in Maxwell’s “little black book.” A Durbin spokesperson in a statement told Fox News Digital that since “Senator Durbin became Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, protecting children from sexual exploitation has been one of the Committee’s top priorities.” “Last year, he chaired a hearing on [kids’] online safety. And this month, the Committee will hold a hearing with Big Tech CEOs to discuss their failures to protect children from exploitation online,” the spokesperson stated. “Chair Durbin has also worked to ensure that DOJ’s unethical non-prosecution agreement with Jeffrey Epstein is investigated.” “As he has made clear in Committee, his Inspector General Access Act would allow the Inspector General to investigate that non-prosecution agreement,” the spokesperson added. “Prior to the Committee’s November 9 Supreme Court ethics subpoena markup, Senator Blackburn had never raised Epstein’s flight logs with Chair Durbin either publicly or privately. During a later markup, Chair Durbin tried to recognize Senator Blackburn multiple times so that she could offer her amendment, but her Republican colleagues prevented her from doing so by filibustering and then invoking an obscure Senate rule to end the markup. Chair Durbin is happy to work with Senator Blackburn on a bipartisan basis to obtain any relevant Epstein records.” Blackburn noted in her letter that last year she “offered an amendment to authorize a subpoena for the complete, unredacted Epstein flight logs” and said that after Durbin “initially stonewalled my repeated requests for this subpoena,” she “was pleased to learn of [Durbin’s] recent change of heart.” “The unsealing of these documents, which has the potential to reveal the names of over 170 individuals associated with Jeffrey Epstein, is a critically important step forward in providing Mr. Epstein’s victims the transparency and justice they deserve,” Blackburn wrote in her letter to Durbin. “With this positive development in mind, I am writing to follow up on our previous discussions about subpoenaing the complete, unredacted flight logs from Mr. Epstein’s private jets and helicopter, as well as Ghislaine Maxwell’s unredacted ‘little black book,’” she continued. “Specifically, in a note to Senator Ossoff during a December 14, 2023, subcommittee hearing, you conveyed your ‘intention and willingness’ to work with me ‘on a bipartisan basis to obtain records relevant to the Jeffrey Epstein case,’” Blackburn wrote. “I greatly appreciate that you have agreed to work with me to subpoena these flight logs and the ‘little black book,’ as well as all additional records relevant to this matter,” she added. Blackburn wrote that while “redacted portions of Epstein’s flight logs and Maxwell’s ‘little black book’ have been released in various lawsuits, the American people have the right to know who flew on Epstein’s plane and who potentially participated in his international sex trafficking ring.” “That is why the Judiciary Committee’s very first act when the Senate resumes business next week should be to authorize a subpoena to Jeffrey Epstein’s estate and the FBI to obtain the complete and unredacted Epstein flight logs and Ghislaine Maxwell’s ‘little black book,’” Blackburn wrote. “I hope I can rely on your commitment to work with me to obtain these records so that we can finally bring transparency to the American people and justice to the women and children who Jeffrey Epstein and his associates trafficked and abused,” she added. Fox News Digital reached out to Durbin’s office for comment.
George Santos says he wants to head ICE under Trump in 2025: ‘The time is now’
Former Rep. George Santos, R-NY, has a new career path in mind, hoping to head Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in 2025 under a re-elected President Donald Trump — arguing that the agency has had its hands tied “for far too long.” Santos, was elected to the House in 2022 but was expelled from Congress late last year because of charges he faces related to allegations of defrauding campaign contributors and misusing campaign funds. He is currently in talks with prosecutors to reach a plea deal. But the former congressman already has one eye on the future and in a post on X, formerly Twitter, said his New Year’s resolution is “that President Trump returns to the white house and in 2025 I can be appointed Director of ICE. TRUMP SAYS HE WILL CARRY OUT THE ‘LARGEST DEPORTATION OPERATION IN AMERICAN HISTORY’ IF ELECTED He said it’s time to “reclaim our country” and took aim at what he called “nonsense” numbers being pushed by the media. “We have over 50M+ people who have invaded our sovereignty over the years due to careless and neglectful immigration policy, if given the job I know exactly where to start and run the much needed raids of removals proceedings this country needs,” he said. Estimates typically put the number of illegal immigrants in the country between 11 and 20 million. Meanwhile there are approximately six million people on ICE’s non-detained docket. FY 23, meanwhile, saw approximately 2.4 million encounters at the southern border — a new record. Trump has promised to launch a mass deportation operation if re-elected to the White House, in contrast to the narrowing of enforcement seen under the Biden administration. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT POPULATION SOARS UNDER BIDEN: GOVERNMENT DATA “Following the Eisenhower Model, we will carry out the largest domestic deportation operation in American history,” Trump said in September. That message is something that Santos says he can get behind. “ICE has had their hands tied for far too long with the sole exception of the great four years of DJT,” he said. “The time is now and that’s why I’m putting my name in the mix for a role that will take grit and a fearless person and not a coward that will fear media spin.” A recent ICE report found that the number of illegal immigrants being deported has increased but it is still a fraction of the increase in the illegal immigrant population. There were 142,580 removals in FY 23, up considerably from 72,177 in FY 22 and 59,011 in FY 21, but still down from the highs of 267,258 under the Trump administration in FY 19. ICE noted that the 142,580 removals were in addition to over 60,000 Title 42 expulsions in FY 23 at the border, some of whom it said would have otherwise been subject to deportation.
Fox News Politics: Court gives Trump relief one Jan. 6 case
Welcome to Fox News’ Politics newsletter with the latest political news from Washington D.C. and updates from the 2024 campaign trail. Subscribe now to get Fox News Politics newsletter in your inbox. What’s Happening? – Federal court expected to begin releasing names of Epstein associates as early as today – Biden gets torched by allies over Israel funding – NYC Mayor admits migrants bring crime A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed most of the civil counts against former President Donald Trump and two others in connection with the death of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick during the U.S. Capitol riots on Jan. 6. In a 12-page ruling, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta dismissed three of the five civil counts in a lawsuit filed last January by Sandra Garza, Sicknick’s girlfriend. The lawsuit sought damages from all three men for claims of wrongful death, conspiracy to violate civil rights, and negligence per se based on D.C.’s anti-riot law. BORDER BATTLE: Biden admin wants more deportation flights as crisis breaks records …Read more ACT QUICKLY: Massachusetts federal lawmakers call on Biden to remove Cuba from list of countries protecting terrorists …Read more BLUE FLAME: Biden torched by Dem allies, far-left ‘Squad’ over Israel funding decision …Read more TOWN HALL TIME: Fox News announces town halls with Haley, DeSantis ahead of Iowa vote …Read more FIELD TRIP: South Carolina sent students to summer camp in communist China on Nikki Haley’s watch …Read more ‘VOTER SUPPRESSION’: Maine Democrat who barred Trump from ballot said voter ID laws were ‘rooted in White supremacy’ …Read more MAJOR FUNDRAISING HAUL: Haley more than doubles her fundraising with a $24 million haul …Read more ‘WRONGFULLY VILLAINIZED’: Ramaswamy welcomes endorsement from controversial former GOP rep …Read more ‘GONE TO HELL’: Sen Cotton endorses Trump for president to get country ‘back on track’ …Read more ‘BE THE HERO’: GOP governor says Chris Christie has the chance to help Haley beat Trump in early primary …Read more ‘TERRIFYING’ TACTIC: Marjorie Taylor Greene describes swatting of her home, says daughters also targeted …Read more BETTER LATE THAN NEVER: Blackburn cheers Harvard president’s resignation, says it should have happened sooner …Read more ‘IMMORAL WAR’: Sen. Sanders calls for US to end funding of Israeli PM Netanyahu’s ‘immoral’ war …Read more CLOSING RANKS: House Republican leaders close ranks around Trump as Iowa caucus looms …Read more IT’S A DATE: First Mayorkas impeachment hearing set by House committee …Read more ‘ROBBERY PATTERN’: NYC Mayor admits migrants are committing crimes … Read more MEDIA MELTDOWN: Associated Press mocked after calling plagiarism a ‘conservative weapon’ against academics …Read more REJECTED: Liberal city’s gas ban dealt fatal blow by federal court …Read more EMPOWERING ‘LEFTIST ACTIVISTS’: Free-market advocates warn about Biden admin’s ‘digital discrimination’ rules …Read more ‘DEEPLY CONCERNING’: Two CCP-linked groups hold NYC New Year’s events, Dem lawmakers attend …Read more OVERSTEPPING: Texas emergency rooms not bound by Biden admins guidance on emergency abortion, federal court rules …Read more 2A FIGHT: Colorado gun group sues state over ‘ghost gun’ ban …Read more Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more on FoxNews.com.
Hezbollah chief says group won’t ‘be silent’ after killing of Hamas leader
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah offers condolences to Hamas after the killing of its deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri. The head of Lebanon’s powerful armed group Hezbollah says the killing of the deputy chief of allied Palestinian faction Hamas in Beirut was “a major, dangerous crime about which we cannot be silent”. In a televised speech on Wednesday, Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah blamed Israel for the attack and offered his condolences to Hamas for what he called a “flagrant Israeli aggression” that killed Saleh al-Arouri. Tuesday’s strike hit the southern Beirut suburb of Dahiyeh, a Hezbollah stronghold. It was the first strike to hit Beirut after almost three months of near daily fire between the Israeli military and Hezbollah across the Israel-Lebanon border. Hezbollah launched rockets across the border beginning on October 8 in support of Hamas, which had carried out a deadly assault into southern Israel the previous day that Israel responded to with a devastating bombing campaign on the Gaza Strip. Hezbollah is part of the “axis of resistance”, a loose alliance of armed groups with ties to Iran. They include Hamas in Palestine and the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Nasrallah asserted Hezbollah’s “quick” action on October 8 and the cross-border shelling since then had prevented a broader bombing campaign by Israel of Lebanon. He said there would be “no ceilings” and “no rules” to fighting by Hezbollah if Israel launches a war on Lebanon. Reporting from Beirut, Al Jazeera’s Zeina Khodr said Nasrallah’s address was a “delicate balancing act”. “He talked about the front in southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah is engaged in a low-intensity conflict with the Israeli army along the border. He said that [fighting] will continue. “He said that if Israel decides to launch a full-scale offensive, then Hezbollah would fight back with its full military capabilities.” “But Nasrallah also spoke about strategic, national considerations that each of the so-called resistance groups in this ‘axis of resistance’ across the region have to take into account. And in Lebanon, Hassan Nasrallah knows that Israel can destroy this country,” she said. “In many ways, his hands are tied. But at the same time, he reiterated that Hezbollah is not afraid of war.” Adblock test (Why?)
‘Heinous’: World reacts to twin blasts that kill dozens in Iran
Two explosions have killed nearly 100 people and wounded over 200 others at a ceremony in Iran to commemorate the death of top commander Qassem Soleimani, who was killed in 2020. Wednesday’s attacks took place in the southeastern city of Kerman along the road leading to Kerman’s Martyrs’ Cemetery. While no one has claimed responsibility and it was not immediately clear what caused the blasts, Iranian officials have blamed a “terrorist attack”. “The evil and criminal enemies of the Iranian nation once again created a disaster and martyred a large number of dear people in Kerman,” Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said in a statement. “This disaster will have a harsh response, God willing.” In a statement, Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi said, “Undoubtedly, the perpetrators … of this cowardly act will soon be identified and punished for their heinous act by the capable security and law enforcement forces. The enemies of the nation should know that such actions can never disrupt the solid determination of the Iranian nation.” Here are some global reactions in the aftermath of the deadly blasts. People disperse near the site where twin explosions struck a crowd, near the Saheb al-Zaman Mosque in the southern Iranian city of Kerman [Mehr News/AFP] European Union The EU demanded that the perpetrators of the twin blasts be brought to justice and condemned the attack. “The EU condemns in the strongest terms today’s bombing in the city of Kerman in Iran. The EU expresses its solidarity with the Iranian people. This act of terror has exacted a shocking toll of civilian deaths and injuries,” an EU foreign affairs spokesperson said in a statement. “Our thoughts now are with the victims and their families. Perpetrators must be held accountable.” Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of the Iran-backed Lebanese group Hezbollah, said those who were commemorating the death of Soleimani were “targeted”. He added that those who died were “martyrs who died on the same road, cause and battle that was led by” Soleimani. Houthis The Yemeni group condemned what it called the “criminal bombings” on the anniversary of Soleimani’s death. “This heinous crime represents an extension of all the crimes that attempted to undermine the Islamic Republic, its role in confronting global arrogance, its adoption of the nation’s central cause, and its support for the resistance forces in Palestine and Lebanon,” a statement reads. Iraq The government issued a statement condemning the explosion and described it as a “terrorist attack in Kerman”. “In a show of solidarity, our government stands with Iran, expressing support for both the Iranian government and its people during this difficult time.” “Iraq expresses willingness to offer various forms of assistance, aiming to alleviate the impact of this cowardly criminal act.” Russia President Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to Iran’s leadership, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported, citing a Kremlin statement. Putin condemned “terrorism in all its forms” and said the attack on peaceful people was “shocking in its cruelty and cynicism”. Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered his condolences and condemned the attack. “We are deeply saddened by the heinous terrorist attacks carried out in Iran’s Kerman province. May God have mercy on those who lost their lives in the attacks, and I wish a speedy recovery to those who were injured,” he said in a post on X. “I express my condolences to the friendly and brotherly Iranian people.” United Nations UN chief Antonio Guterres offered his condolences for those killed and called for the perpetrators to be held accountable. “The Secretary-General strongly condemns the attack today on a memorial ceremony in Kerman city in the Islamic Republic of Iran, which reportedly killed more than 100 people and injured many more,” a statement from his spokesperson reads. “The Secretary-General calls for those responsible to be held accountable. The Secretary-General expresses his deep condolences to the bereaved families and the people and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. He wishes the injured a speedy recovery.” United States US officials rejected any suggestion that it or ally Israel was behind deadly blasts in Iran. Soleimani was killed four years ago in a US drone strike. “The United States was not involved in any way, and any suggestion to the contrary is ridiculous,” Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller said of Wednesday’s blasts. “We have no reason to believe that Israel was involved in this explosion,” he added during a daily news briefing. Separately, White House national security spokesman John Kirby also said the US had seen no indication that Israel was behind the blasts. “We do express our sympathies to the victims and their loved ones who died in this horrific explosion,” Miller said. Adblock test (Why?)
Hezbollah leader warns Israel of war ‘without restrictions’
NewsFeed “Whoever considers going into war against us, will simply regret it.“ Hezbollah’s leader Hassan Nasrallah spoke out about the killing of Hamas deputy chief Saleh al-Arouri in a Beirut drone strike on Jan. 2, 2024, blamimg Israel for his death. Israel has not claimed responsibility for the strike, but remains on high alert for any retaliation from Hezbollah. Published On 3 Jan 20243 Jan 2024 Adblock test (Why?)
New Hampshire lawmakers tackle leftovers while looking forward
Concord, N.H. (AP) — New Hampshire lawmakers started the new year with old business Wednesday, taking up hundreds of bills left over from 2023. But they also looked ahead to the rest of 2024, with some Democrats demanding action on gun control and Republicans describing an agenda focused on the economy, public safety and other priorities. Republicans hold a 14-10 majority in the Senate. But the GOP advantage in the House remains slim enough that like last year, Democrats could outnumber Republicans on any given day depending on attendance. Currently, there are 198 Republicans, 194 Democrats, three independents and four vacancies. SUNUNU TELLS CHRISTIE HE CAN ‘BE THE HERO,’ HELP NIKKI HALEY BEAT TRUMP IN NEW HAMPSHIRE Before their sessions began, Democrats from both chambers held an outdoor news conference to outline a package of bills aimed at preventing gun violence. After the fatal shooting of a New Hampshire Hospital security officer in November, Republicans agreed to work with Democrats on a bill that would ensure that those who are involuntarily committed to psychiatric hospitals cannot purchase or possess firearms until it is determined that they are no longer a danger to themselves or others. But Democrats want to go further with legislation related to background checks, extreme risk protection orders, imposing waiting periods before gun sales and establishing a voluntary waiver of the right to purchase weapons. “There are those in Concord in the building behind us who say that New Hampshire doesn’t have a gun problem, that we’re the safest state in the nation. And even that we’re lucky to live in a state that just happens to have some of the weakest gun laws in the country,” said Rep. David Meuse, D-Portsmouth. “What I say to that is, tell that to the victims and their families. While no series of laws can ever completely stop gun violence and suicides, there are simple, sensible ways we can reduce the level of risk.” At a separate news conference, Senate Republicans said their focus is maintaining the “New Hampshire advantage,” GOP shorthand for low taxes and a prosperous economy. “It is vitally important, in my opinion and in all of our opinion, that we protect hard-working men and women from higher taxes, allow small businesses to thrive and maintain our really – compared to other states – good economic status,” said Senate President Jeb Bradley. Beyond that, Republicans will focus on public safety – including bail reform, protecting the northern border and increasing penalties for drug trafficking and other crimes, said Sen. Sharon Carson. “Empowering parents,” expanding school choice, improving access to mental health treatment and protecting New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation presidential primary also will be priorities, she said. The House, meanwhile, voted Wednesday to move the state primary from September to August to lengthen what is one of the nation’s shortest general election windows. Gov. Chris Sununu vetoed a similar bill in 2021.
Key lawmakers return to the Hill early to continue border security talks as House Republicans visit border
Senators who are trying to strike a deal on a border security bill with the White House returned to in-person talks Tuesday and resumed Wednesday afternoon, but it’s unlikely a deal will be reached in the upcoming week. Last month, the Senate canceled part of its holiday recess – per the order of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. – to continue negotiations. But officials were unable to reach an agreement, so they left town and met a few times virtually, according to a source familiar with the talks. Lead Senate negotiators James Lankford, R-Okla., Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., and Chris Murphy, D-Conn., began negotiations with U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and other Biden officials a week before the upper chamber was scheduled to go on its holiday recess. “We continue to move forward, not backward,” Murphy told reporters on Friday. “We don’t yet have a final agreement. And I think the nature of this agreement is going to be so complicated that we’re not going to know whether we have the votes until we bring it back to our caucuses.” MIGRANT ENCOUNTERS AT SOUTHERN BORDER HIT RECORD 302K IN DECEMBER, SOURCES SAY Last month, Lankford said in a statement that “significant progress has been made, but there is still no final agreement, much less legislative text.” “It is clear there are multiple unresolved issues that will take weeks to resolve rather than hours,” he added. Meanwhile, 60 House Republicans, including Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., ended their holiday break early to visit Eagle Pass, Texas, on the southern border Wednesday. House Republicans have vowed that even if a deal in the upper chamber is struck, it won’t receive support from the GOP-controlled House unless it includes elements of H.R. 2, or the Secure the Border Act. One of the policies in the resolution would impose stricter standards for asylum eligibility. The Senate will return to session on Monday, but it’s unlikely there will be an agreement upon return. Plus, 15 GOP lawmakers sent a letter to Senate Republican Conference Chairman John Barrasso, of Wyoming, requesting a conference meeting next week to discuss the ongoing negotiations, which they have claimed are clouded by secrecy. CHIP ROY ON SKIPPING GOP BORDER VISIT: REPUBLICANS NEED TO ‘PUT UP OR SHUT UP’ “Rushed and secret negotiations with Democrats who want an open border and who caused the current crisis will not secure the border. The American public deserves an open and transparent process,” the senators wrote last month. Republicans tied the condition of increased aid to Ukraine to the implementation of stricter border security measures in the national supplemental security request prior to the holiday recess. However, the demand for this linkage, which encompasses aid to Israel and Taiwan alongside Ukraine, arose soon after President Biden urged its passage in October. Murphy said he opposes this approach. DEMOCRAT SENATOR SOUNDS ALARM ON ‘CRISIS’ AT SOUTHERN BORDER, URGES NEGOTIATORS TO STRIKE A DEAL “I’ve worried from the beginning, that tying immigration to Ukraine was a recipe for failure,” he told reporters last week. The total amount of supplemental aid the White House first requested in October amounts to roughly $106 billion and includes $14 billion to assist Israel. Biden urged Congress to take swift action on the package, and Ukraine President Volodymr Zelenskyy made a final plea in December to both chambers in private meetings. CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP The White House has sent more than $100 billion to Ukraine since the Russian invasion began in February 2022. Biden announced the administration would send $250 million in additional military aid to the Eastern European nation last week. Fox News Digital has reached out to the White House for comment.
Puerto Rico governor’s office ordered to drop slogan over electioneering concerns
The Puerto Rico governor’s office must stop using the slogan “Making things happen” to promote the administration’s work because it looks like election campaigning, election officials said Wednesday. PUERTO RICO’S OPPOSITION TO HOLD GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARY AS RACE HEATS UP The phrase can no longer appear on ads launched with public money by the administration of Gov. Pedro Pierluisi, who is seeking a second term in an election this year. The opposition Popular Democratic Party has challenged the administration’s use of the phrase. Walter Vélez, who oversees the election comptroller’s office, told reporters that the slogan could allude to achievements and goals, both of which are barred under laws restricting the use of public funds for election-related advertising. Sheila Angleró, a spokeswoman for Pierluisi, said the governor’s office is evaluating the decision. A lawsuit filed in October last year by the Popular Democratic Party alleges that more than $3 million in public funds have been used to promote the slogan, and the case is pending in court. Jesús Manuel Ortiz, the party’s president, said in a statement that it’s regrettable the slogan wasn’t struck down until this year, adding that the funds should not be used “to develop campaigns to highlight anyone’s image.”
Utah Republican announces bid to replace Romney after saying he would not enter race amid unfinished work
A Utah House member has announced his decision to enter the race to replace retiring Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, three months after he told residents in the state that he had “decided to stay out of the U.S. Senate race” to focus on unfinished business for his constituents. Utah Rep. John Curtis, a Republican who previously sought election to the state Senate as a Democrat in 2000, announced his campaign to a local TV station Tuesday. Curtis, who has represented Utah’s Third District in the House since 2017, told KSL-TV that he believes he can take the work he’s doing in the House and continue to build on it with a bigger platform in the Senate. “I think part of my ‘aha’ moment was I can do all of those and actually have a bigger platform and accomplish more,” said Curtis, the former mayor of Provo, Utah, who also served as a county-level Democratic Party official at one time. RACE TO REPLACE ROMNEY IN SENATE HEATS UP AS ANOTHER REPUBLICAN LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN: ‘STRONG CONSERVATIVE WOMAN’ The decision from Curtis, who had considered entering the race in September, came after the lawmaker said in an October op-ed that he had decided against making a run for the Senate, citing his “commitment to the residents of the 3rd District.” “We’ve accomplished a lot but my work for them is not done. I believe we need elected leaders who are more concerned about doing their job than getting the next job. To walk away now would leave a commitment unfilled. I want to finish the job,” he said at the time. On Tuesday, however, Curtis had a change of heart and said people had asked him to reconsider his decision not to run. “The second I made the announcement that I was not going to run, I started to have people reach out to me asking me to reconsider,” Curtis told the TV station. “The very people who [I] had made that commitment to were a lot of those voices who said, you can actually serve us better in the Senate than you can in the House. And so without that, I don’t think I could have changed my mind.” “I actually carry my seniority with me from the House to the Senate, so I won’t start as number 100. I think that’s very important for the state,” he added. “I also bring that experience of how to pass legislation. … I bring that, and then I also bring a Utah focus. People know that I’m not the guy who wakes up and tries to get on TV at night. I wake up and say, ‘What can I do for the district?’ And I think people have really appreciated that.” In a statement to Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for Curtis’ campaign said that the lawmaker “cares deeply about the future of Utah which is why he is running for the U.S. Senate.” “After many Utahns from across the state reached out and urged him to run, John decided it was the right thing to do,” the spokesperson added. “He has a proven conservative track record of getting things done for Utahns and will continue to work hard every day to help make the state an even better place.” STATE OF THE RACE: TOP FIVE SENATE SEATS HELD BY DEMOCRATS MOST LIKELY TO FLIP IN 2024 Curtis’ decision comes after Romney announced in September he would not be seeking reelection to the upper chamber in 2024. In announcing his decision, Romney declared he’s not “retiring from the fight,” and he bashed both President Biden and former President Donald Trump while calling for “a new generation of leaders.” Curtis now joins a growing field of Republicans seeking to replace Romney. Former Utah state House Speaker Brad Wilson, Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs, Roosevelt Mayor Rod Bird Jr., former GOP Sen. Mike Lee’s staffer Carolyn Phippen, and a handful of others announced their campaigns for the open Senate seat last year. Brent Orrin Hatch – one of six children of the late Utah Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch – also announced his candidacy Tuesday. Curtis told the Salt Lake Tribune that his decision to join the crowded field of candidates came after he had “personal conversations” with a handful of U.S. senators who also encouraged him to enter the race. Citing “multiple sources,” the Tribune reported that “Romney was one of those senators who lobbied him to join the race.” Asked about the Tribune’s report, Liz Johnson, Romney’s chief of staff, told Fox News Digital that the senator is “staying out of the race.” CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP “Utah is fortunate to have several candidates who are interested in serving in the Senate, and Senator Romney appreciates their willingness to serve. He is staying out of the race,” she said. Curtis’ campaign did not specifically say whether Curtis had received support from Romney, but told Fox News Digital that the “congressman has received encouragement from many elected officials.” “Most of those would like to stay personal and private,” the campaign spokesperson added. Republicans carry a substantial advantage in Utah, outnumbering Democrats by a more than 3-to-1 margin. Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub. The Associated Press contributed to this report.