GOP senator plans 250-mile 'meditation' walk — as he mulls quitting Congress: report

Sen. John Curtis (R-UT) hasn't even been in office for two years yet, and he's already eyeing the exit.

According to Politico, he is now considering a run for governor.

"Curtis, who replaced former Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) last year, has a reputation as a pragmatic dealmaker and moderate voice from his three terms in the U.S. House," Politico reported. "But after seeing Washington grow increasingly polarized during his decade there, the former mayor and business executive may see the benefits of returning home. 'He doesn’t love being in the Senate,' said a Utah Republican operative who has discussed Curtis’ political future with him. 'Trump’s MAGA base sees him as one of the four squishiest Republicans. He’s basically Mitt without the stature.'"

"Curtis, an avid outdoorsman and practicing Latter-day Saint, went on a retreat in the mountains recently to pray and meditate about running, according to the first longtime friend," noted the report. "Now, Curtis is planning a 250-mile solo walk across the state to honor the U.S.’ 250th anniversary, concluding on July 4 in Provo, Utah, a second person close to the senator said. The walk will give Curtis additional time to meditate on his political future."

Utah, despite being one of the most reliably Republican-voting states in America, has a history of backing more maverick-style lawmakers who cut deals across the aisle — but such lawmakers frequently run into trouble in their primaries because of it.

Romney himself, who has gone after some of his colleagues for their Trump fanaticism, only lasted one term in office before concluding he had no path to re-election, with his prior vote to impeach the president earning him hard enemies in the MAGA electorate.