John Curtis defeats Trump-backed opponent in Utah Republican primary

Utah GOP Rep. John Curtis won the Republican primary to replace outgoing Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney on Tuesday night, defeating former President Donald Trump's candidate Riverton Mayor Trent Stagg. 

Curtis was the favorite going into Tuesday's primary, despite Staggs' coveted endorsement. Curtis is considered a more moderate Republican and has been compared to Romney, because he has not shied away from challenging far-right members of his party, including Trump supporters, according to the Associated Press. 

The congressman, who previously served as the mayor of Provo, Utah, was also the only candidate in the Senate Republican primary to not endorse Trump's reelection bid for the White House. 

The primary was not the only loss for Trump on Tuesday night. The former president's pick for South Carolina's third Congressional district lost his runoff election to a candidate endorsed by South Carolina Republican Gov. Henry McMaster, The Hill reported.