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Utah's Voices in Washington

A comprehensive chronicle of the distinguished individuals who have represented Utah in the United States Senate since its statehood.

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Overview

Utah's Senate Representation

Utah officially joined the United States as a state on January 4, 1896. Following its admission, the state began popularly electing U.S. senators to represent its interests in the national legislature. This process of popular election for senators was established despite the Utah State Legislature's initial rejection of the Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution when it was passed in 1913, which mandated direct election of senators by popular vote.

The Role of Senators

United States Senators serve six-year terms, with elections staggered so that approximately one-third of the Senate is up for election every two years. This system ensures continuity within the legislative body. Utah, like all states, is represented by two senators, who are assigned to specific "classes" for electoral purposes, ensuring that their election cycles are distinct.

Notable Tenures

Throughout its history, Utah has been represented by many influential figures. Among them, Orrin Hatch holds the distinction of being Utah's longest-serving senator, having served from 1977 to 2019. His extensive tenure highlights a significant period of continuous representation and legislative impact for the state.

Senate Classes

Class 1 Senators

Senators designated as Class 1 belong to an electoral cycle that has seen recent contests in 2006, 2012, 2018, and is scheduled for 2024. The next election for Utah's Class 1 Senate seat will occur in 2030. This staggered system ensures that the entire Senate is never up for re-election at the same time, promoting stability and experience within the chamber.

Class 3 Senators

Senators in Class 3 participate in an electoral cycle distinct from Class 1. Recent elections for Utah's Class 3 Senate seat took place in 2004, 2010, 2016, and 2022. The upcoming election for this class is slated for 2028. This division into classes is a foundational aspect of the U.S. Senate's structure, designed to prevent rapid shifts in its composition.

Historical Senators

Below is a detailed chronicle of the individuals who have served as United States Senators for Utah, organized by the Congress they served and their respective classes. This table provides insight into their party affiliations, terms of service, and key electoral events.

Congress Class 1 Senator Party Dates in Office Electoral History (Class 1) Class 3 Senator Party Dates in Office Electoral History (Class 3)
54th Vacant N/A Jan 4, 1896 – Jan 22, 1896 Utah elected its senators 18 days after statehood. Vacant N/A Jan 4, 1896 – Jan 22, 1896 Utah elected its senators 18 days after statehood.
54th Frank J. Cannon Republican Jan 22, 1896 – Mar 3, 1899 Elected in 1896. Arthur Brown Republican Jan 22, 1896 – Mar 3, 1897 Elected in 1896. Retired.
55th Frank J. Cannon Silver Republican Mar 4, 1899 – Jan 23, 1901 (Vacant until 1901) (Continued from previous term, then vacant) Joseph L. Rawlins Democratic Mar 4, 1897 – Mar 3, 1903 Elected in 1897. Lost re-election.
56th Thomas Kearns Republican Jan 23, 1901 – Mar 3, 1905 Elected late in 1901. Retired. Joseph L. Rawlins Democratic Mar 4, 1897 – Mar 3, 1903 (Continued from previous term)
57th Thomas Kearns Republican Jan 23, 1901 – Mar 3, 1905 (Continued from previous term) Joseph L. Rawlins Democratic Mar 4, 1897 – Mar 3, 1903 (Continued from previous term)
58th Thomas Kearns Republican Jan 23, 1901 – Mar 3, 1905 (Continued from previous term) Reed Smoot Republican Mar 4, 1903 – Mar 3, 1933 Elected in 1903.
59th George Sutherland Republican Mar 4, 1905 – Mar 3, 1917 Elected in 1905. Reed Smoot Republican Mar 4, 1903 – Mar 3, 1933 (Continued from previous term)
60th George Sutherland Republican Mar 4, 1905 – Mar 3, 1917 (Continued from previous term) Reed Smoot Republican Mar 4, 1903 – Mar 3, 1933 (Continued from previous term)
61st George Sutherland Republican Mar 4, 1905 – Mar 3, 1917 (Continued from previous term) Reed Smoot Republican Mar 4, 1903 – Mar 3, 1933 Re-elected in 1909.
62nd George Sutherland Republican Mar 4, 1905 – Mar 3, 1917 Re-elected in 1911. Lost re-election. Reed Smoot Republican Mar 4, 1903 – Mar 3, 1933 (Continued from previous term)
63rd George Sutherland Republican Mar 4, 1905 – Mar 3, 1917 (Continued from previous term) Reed Smoot Republican Mar 4, 1903 – Mar 3, 1933 (Continued from previous term)
64th George Sutherland Republican Mar 4, 1905 – Mar 3, 1917 (Continued from previous term) Reed Smoot Republican Mar 4, 1903 – Mar 3, 1933 Re-elected in 1914.
65th William H. King Democratic Mar 4, 1917 – Jan 3, 1941 Elected in 1916. Reed Smoot Republican Mar 4, 1903 – Mar 3, 1933 (Continued from previous term)
66th William H. King Democratic Mar 4, 1917 – Jan 3, 1941 (Continued from previous term) Reed Smoot Republican Mar 4, 1903 – Mar 3, 1933 (Continued from previous term)
67th William H. King Democratic Mar 4, 1917 – Jan 3, 1941 (Continued from previous term) Reed Smoot Republican Mar 4, 1903 – Mar 3, 1933 Re-elected in 1920.
68th William H. King Democratic Mar 4, 1917 – Jan 3, 1941 Re-elected in 1922. Reed Smoot Republican Mar 4, 1903 – Mar 3, 1933 (Continued from previous term)
69th William H. King Democratic Mar 4, 1917 – Jan 3, 1941 (Continued from previous term) Reed Smoot Republican Mar 4, 1903 – Mar 3, 1933 (Continued from previous term)
70th William H. King Democratic Mar 4, 1917 – Jan 3, 1941 (Continued from previous term) Reed Smoot Republican Mar 4, 1903 – Mar 3, 1933 Re-elected in 1926. Lost re-election.
71st William H. King Democratic Mar 4, 1917 – Jan 3, 1941 Re-elected in 1928. Elbert D. Thomas Democratic Mar 4, 1933 – Jan 3, 1951 Elected in 1932.
72nd William H. King Democratic Mar 4, 1917 – Jan 3, 1941 (Continued from previous term) Elbert D. Thomas Democratic Mar 4, 1933 – Jan 3, 1951 (Continued from previous term)
73rd William H. King Democratic Mar 4, 1917 – Jan 3, 1941 (Continued from previous term) Elbert D. Thomas Democratic Mar 4, 1933 – Jan 3, 1951 (Continued from previous term)
74th Abe Murdock Democratic Jan 3, 1941 – Jan 3, 1947 Elected in 1940. Lost re-election. Elbert D. Thomas Democratic Mar 4, 1933 – Jan 3, 1951 Re-elected in 1934. Lost renomination.
75th Abe Murdock Democratic Jan 3, 1941 – Jan 3, 1947 (Continued from previous term) Elbert D. Thomas Democratic Mar 4, 1933 – Jan 3, 1951 (Continued from previous term)
76th Abe Murdock Democratic Jan 3, 1941 – Jan 3, 1947 (Continued from previous term) Elbert D. Thomas Democratic Mar 4, 1933 – Jan 3, 1951 Re-elected in 1938.
77th Arthur V. Watkins Republican Jan 3, 1947 – Jan 3, 1959 Elected in 1946. Elbert D. Thomas Democratic Mar 4, 1933 – Jan 3, 1951 (Continued from previous term)
78th Arthur V. Watkins Republican Jan 3, 1947 – Jan 3, 1959 (Continued from previous term) Wallace F. Bennett Republican Jan 3, 1951 – Dec 20, 1974 Elected in 1950.
79th Arthur V. Watkins Republican Jan 3, 1947 – Jan 3, 1959 (Continued from previous term) Wallace F. Bennett Republican Jan 3, 1951 – Dec 20, 1974 (Continued from previous term)
80th Arthur V. Watkins Republican Jan 3, 1947 – Jan 3, 1959 Re-elected in 1952. Lost re-election. Wallace F. Bennett Republican Jan 3, 1951 – Dec 20, 1974 (Continued from previous term)
81st Arthur V. Watkins Republican Jan 3, 1947 – Jan 3, 1959 (Continued from previous term) Wallace F. Bennett Republican Jan 3, 1951 – Dec 20, 1974 Re-elected in 1956.
82nd Arthur V. Watkins Republican Jan 3, 1947 – Jan 3, 1959 (Continued from previous term) Wallace F. Bennett Republican Jan 3, 1951 – Dec 20, 1974 (Continued from previous term)
83rd Frank Moss Democratic Jan 3, 1959 – Jan 3, 1977 Elected in 1958. Wallace F. Bennett Republican Jan 3, 1951 – Dec 20, 1974 (Continued from previous term)
84th Frank Moss Democratic Jan 3, 1959 – Jan 3, 1977 (Continued from previous term) Wallace F. Bennett Republican Jan 3, 1951 – Dec 20, 1974 Re-elected in 1962.
85th Frank Moss Democratic Jan 3, 1959 – Jan 3, 1977 (Continued from previous term) Wallace F. Bennett Republican Jan 3, 1951 – Dec 20, 1974 (Continued from previous term)
86th Frank Moss Democratic Jan 3, 1959 – Jan 3, 1977 Re-elected in 1964. Wallace F. Bennett Republican Jan 3, 1951 – Dec 20, 1974 (Continued from previous term)
87th Frank Moss Democratic Jan 3, 1959 – Jan 3, 1977 (Continued from previous term) Wallace F. Bennett Republican Jan 3, 1951 – Dec 20, 1974 Re-elected in 1968. Retired, and resigned early to give successor preferential seniority.
88th Frank Moss Democratic Jan 3, 1959 – Jan 3, 1977 (Continued from previous term) Wallace F. Bennett Republican Jan 3, 1951 – Dec 20, 1974 (Continued from previous term)
89th Frank Moss Democratic Jan 3, 1959 – Jan 3, 1977 Re-elected in 1970. Lost re-election. Jake Garn Republican Dec 21, 1974 – Jan 3, 1993 Appointed to finish Bennett's term, having been elected to the next term.
90th Frank Moss Democratic Jan 3, 1959 – Jan 3, 1977 (Continued from previous term) Jake Garn Republican Dec 21, 1974 – Jan 3, 1993 Elected in 1974.
91st Frank Moss Democratic Jan 3, 1959 – Jan 3, 1977 (Continued from previous term) Jake Garn Republican Dec 21, 1974 – Jan 3, 1993 (Continued from previous term)
92nd Orrin Hatch Republican Jan 3, 1977 – Jan 3, 2019 Elected in 1976. Jake Garn Republican Dec 21, 1974 – Jan 3, 1993 (Continued from previous term)
93rd Orrin Hatch Republican Jan 3, 1977 – Jan 3, 2019 (Continued from previous term) Jake Garn Republican Dec 21, 1974 – Jan 3, 1993 Re-elected in 1980.
94th Orrin Hatch Republican Jan 3, 1977 – Jan 3, 2019 (Continued from previous term) Jake Garn Republican Dec 21, 1974 – Jan 3, 1993 (Continued from previous term)
95th Orrin Hatch Republican Jan 3, 1977 – Jan 3, 2019 Re-elected in 1982. Jake Garn Republican Dec 21, 1974 – Jan 3, 1993 (Continued from previous term)
96th Orrin Hatch Republican Jan 3, 1977 – Jan 3, 2019 (Continued from previous term) Jake Garn Republican Dec 21, 1974 – Jan 3, 1993 Re-elected in 1986. Retired.
97th Orrin Hatch Republican Jan 3, 1977 – Jan 3, 2019 (Continued from previous term) Jake Garn Republican Dec 21, 1974 – Jan 3, 1993 (Continued from previous term)
98th Orrin Hatch Republican Jan 3, 1977 – Jan 3, 2019 Re-elected in 1988. Bob Bennett Republican Jan 3, 1993 – Jan 3, 2011 Elected in 1992.
99th Orrin Hatch Republican Jan 3, 1977 – Jan 3, 2019 (Continued from previous term) Bob Bennett Republican Jan 3, 1993 – Jan 3, 2011 (Continued from previous term)
100th Orrin Hatch Republican Jan 3, 1977 – Jan 3, 2019 (Continued from previous term) Bob Bennett Republican Jan 3, 1993 – Jan 3, 2011 Re-elected in 1998.
101st Orrin Hatch Republican Jan 3, 1977 – Jan 3, 2019 Re-elected in 1994. Bob Bennett Republican Jan 3, 1993 – Jan 3, 2011 (Continued from previous term)
102nd Orrin Hatch Republican Jan 3, 1977 – Jan 3, 2019 (Continued from previous term) Bob Bennett Republican Jan 3, 1993 – Jan 3, 2011 (Continued from previous term)
103rd Orrin Hatch Republican Jan 3, 1977 – Jan 3, 2019 (Continued from previous term) Bob Bennett Republican Jan 3, 1993 – Jan 3, 2011 Re-elected in 2004. Lost renomination.
104th Orrin Hatch Republican Jan 3, 1977 – Jan 3, 2019 Re-elected in 2000. Mike Lee Republican Jan 3, 2011 – present Elected in 2010.
105th Orrin Hatch Republican Jan 3, 1977 – Jan 3, 2019 (Continued from previous term) Mike Lee Republican Jan 3, 2011 – present (Continued from previous term)
106th Orrin Hatch Republican Jan 3, 1977 – Jan 3, 2019 (Continued from previous term) Mike Lee Republican Jan 3, 2011 – present Re-elected in 2016.
107th Orrin Hatch Republican Jan 3, 1977 – Jan 3, 2019 Re-elected in 2006. Mike Lee Republican Jan 3, 2011 – present (Continued from previous term)
108th Orrin Hatch Republican Jan 3, 1977 – Jan 3, 2019 (Continued from previous term) Mike Lee Republican Jan 3, 2011 – present (Continued from previous term)
109th Orrin Hatch Republican Jan 3, 1977 – Jan 3, 2019 (Continued from previous term) Mike Lee Republican Jan 3, 2011 – present Re-elected in 2022.
110th Mitt Romney Republican Jan 3, 2019 – Jan 3, 2025 Elected in 2018. Retired. Mike Lee Republican Jan 3, 2011 – present (Continued from previous term)
111th Mitt Romney Republican Jan 3, 2019 – Jan 3, 2025 (Continued from previous term) Mike Lee Republican Jan 3, 2011 – present (Continued from previous term)
112th Mitt Romney Republican Jan 3, 2019 – Jan 3, 2025 (Continued from previous term) Mike Lee Republican Jan 3, 2011 – present (Continued from previous term)
113th John Curtis Republican Jan 3, 2025 – present Elected in 2024. To be determined in the 2028 election. N/A To be determined in the 2028 election. To be determined in the 2028 election.
114th John Curtis Republican Jan 3, 2025 – present (Continued from previous term) To be determined in the 2028 election. N/A To be determined in the 2028 election. (Continued from previous term)
115th John Curtis Republican Jan 3, 2025 – present (Continued from previous term) To be determined in the 2028 election. N/A To be determined in the 2028 election. (Continued from previous term)

Current Delegation

Senator Mike Lee (R)

Currently serving as Utah's Class 3 Senator, Mike Lee has been in office since 2011. A member of the Republican Party, Senator Lee has been a prominent voice in national debates, particularly on constitutional issues and fiscal policy. His tenure reflects a commitment to conservative principles and a focus on limited government.

Senator John Curtis (R)

John Curtis is slated to become Utah's Class 1 Senator starting in 2025. Also a Republican, Senator Curtis brings a background in environmental policy and local government leadership to the Senate. His upcoming term marks a new chapter in Utah's representation, succeeding Senator Mitt Romney.

Key Milestones

Statehood and Early Elections

Upon its admission to the Union on January 4, 1896, Utah swiftly moved to elect its first U.S. senators. The initial elections took place just 18 days after statehood, a testament to the urgency and importance placed on establishing federal representation. This rapid transition highlights the foundational period of Utah's political integration into the United States.

Longest-Serving Senator

Orrin Hatch holds the record as Utah's longest-serving senator, with a tenure spanning from 1977 to 2019. His more than four decades of service in the Senate underscore a remarkable period of influence and legislative activity, leaving a lasting legacy on both Utah and national politics.

Unique Anomalies

The Seventeenth Amendment

A notable historical detail in Utah's Senate history is the Utah State Legislature's rejection of the Seventeenth Amendment to the United States Constitution when it was passed in 1913. This amendment mandated the direct popular election of U.S. senators, shifting the power from state legislatures to the populace. Despite this initial rejection, Utah, like all states, ultimately adopted the popular election method, reflecting the broader national movement towards greater democratic participation.

Age Inversion

Utah stands out as one of only sixteen states that have experienced a unique demographic anomaly in its Senate delegation: having a younger senior senator and an older junior senator. This unusual configuration can occur due to various factors, such as a long-serving senator being succeeded by an older, newly elected individual, or a younger senator gaining seniority through earlier election. This phenomenon offers an interesting case study in the dynamics of political careers and electoral outcomes.

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References

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