Utah candidates for Mitt Romney's open US Senate seat debate approaches to climate change

The Republican and Democratic candidates vying for Mitt Romney’s open U.S. Senate seat are aiming to convince Utah voters that they have the better blueprint to tackle climate change and protect the state’s vast natural resources. Republican U.S. Rep. John Curtis squared off on the debate stage Thursday night against a climate activist and mountaineer who aimed to undercut Curtis’ credentials as a climate-focused congressman. Democrat Caroline Gleich is the underdog in a deeply red state that has not elected a Democrat to the Senate since 1970. Utah voters typically favor moderate Republicans such as Romney and Curtis in statewide elections.