# Samuel Kurtz

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Welsh Conservative politician

Samuel Kurtz Kurtz in 2021 Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and the Welsh Language[a] In office 18 April 2024 – 20 January 2026 Leader Andrew RT Davies Darren Millar Preceded by Role Re-organised Shadow Minister for Rural Affairs and the Welsh Language In office 7 May 2021 – 18 April 2024 Leader Andrew RT Davies Preceded by Janet Finch-Saunders[b] Succeeded by James Evans Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire In office 7 May 2021 – 7 April 2026 Preceded by Angela Burns Succeeded by Constituency abolished Pembrokeshire County Councillor for Scleddau Ward In office 5 May 2017 – 5 May 2022 Preceded by Owen Watkin James Succeeded by Ward Abolished Personal details Born 1991 or 1992 (age 33–34)[1] Party Welsh Conservatives Alma mater University of the West of England Website www.samuelkurtz.wales

**Samuel Kurtz** (usually known as **Sam Kurtz**) is a [Welsh Conservative](/source/Welsh_Conservatives) politician who was [Member of the Senedd](/source/Member_of_the_Senedd) (MS) for [Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire](/source/Carmarthen_West_and_South_Pembrokeshire_(Senedd_Cymru_constituency)) from 2021 to 2026. He also previously served as a [Pembrokeshire County Councillor](/source/Pembrokeshire_County_Council) from 2017 to 2022, representing Scleddau ward.

While a Member of the Senedd, Kurtz held a number of Shadow Cabinet positions, holding the portfolio for Rural Affairs from 2021 to 2024 and Economy and Energy from 2024 to 2026.[2][3] He retained the portfolio for the Welsh Language for the entirety of his term, except for between April and December 2024.[4]

## Personal life and education

Kurtz studied for a BA in Politics at the [University of the West of England](/source/University_of_the_West_of_England).[5] He grew up on a beef farm.[6]

Prior to his political career, Kurtz worked for the *Pembrokeshire Herald* and the *[Western Telegraph](/source/Western_Telegraph)*.[5]

## Political career

Kurtz was elected to [Pembrokeshire County Council](/source/Pembrokeshire_County_Council) in 2017.[7] He represented [Scleddau](/source/Scleddau) ward until the 2022 elections.[8] The ward was abolished at this election, and split across the Llanrhian and Bro Gwaun wards.[8][9] He was a press officer for [Stephen Crabb](/source/Stephen_Crabb) in 2020.[10]

Kurtz was selected to replace the outgoing [Angela Burns](/source/Angela_Burns) as Welsh Conservative candidate for [Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire](/source/Carmarthen_West_and_South_Pembrokeshire_(Senedd_constituency)) in 2020.[6] Shortly after this, 3 tweets from when he was a student surfaced, in which he described an individual as a "gay boy", said someone "sounds a little gay" and described someone as “bisexual, and looks like shit off of a shoe”.[10][11] Kurtz apologised for the comments.[12][13] He was elected as MS for the constituency at the [2021 Senedd elections](/source/2021_Senedd_election), with a majority of 936.[14][15]

From his election until 2024 he was the Welsh Conservatives' Shadow Rural Affairs and [Welsh language](/source/Welsh_language) Minister in the [Senedd](/source/Senedd).[16][17] Kurtz has been the Conservatives' Shadow Minister for Economy and Energy since April 2024.[2][3] In December 2024, the Welsh Language was re-added to his portfolio.[18] He is also a member of two Senedd Committees: the Economy, Trade, and Rural Affairs Committee and the Legislation, Justice and Constitution Committee.[5] He is also a member of cross-party groups on armed forces and cadets, beer and pubs, diabetes, digital rights and democracy, fisheries and aquaculture, further education and skills, horseracing, small shops, tourism and welsh wool.[5] He also chairs cross party groupings on rural growth and shooting and conservation.[5]

Kurtz contested the [Ceredigion Penfro](/source/Ceredigion_Penfro_(Senedd_constituency)) constituency in the [2026 Senedd election](/source/2026_Senedd_election) but was not elected.[19][20]

## Political views

### Wales and The Constitution

Kurtz has backed the increase in size of the Senedd, against his party's policy, although he said this should not happen during a cost of living crisis.[21] He further said that "we need to have a look at how the UK is set up" and described the existing constitutional settlement as "a mish mash".[21]

### Agriculture

Kurtz opposes the "Family Farms Tax".[22]

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** As Shadow Minister for Energy and Economy April - December 2024

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** as Shadow Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Davies, Ruth (30 November 2020). ["Pembrokeshire County councillor Sam Kurtz of Scleddau is Welsh Conservatives' Senedd candidate"](https://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/18909240.pembrokeshire-county-councillor-sam-kurtz-scleddau-welsh-conservatives-senedd-candidate/). *Western Telegraph*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:3_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:3_4-1) Price, Emily (18 April 2024). ["Welsh Conservatives reshuffle shadow cabinet"](https://nation.cymru/news/welsh-conservatives-reshuffle-shadow-cabinet/). *Nation.Cymru*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240618195154/https://nation.cymru/news/welsh-conservatives-reshuffle-shadow-cabinet/) from the original on 18 June 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:4_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:4_5-1) ["'Let's get the dragon that is the Welsh economy breathing fire once again!'"](https://www.pembroke-today.co.uk/news/politics/samuel-kurtz-lets-get-the-dragon-that-is-the-welsh-economy-breathing-fire-once-again-681044). *Pembroke And Pembroke Dock Observer*. 18 April 2024. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240525111433/https://www.pembroke-today.co.uk/news/politics/samuel-kurtz-lets-get-the-dragon-that-is-the-welsh-economy-breathing-fire-once-again-681044) from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["New Welsh Conservatives leader Darren Millar MS announces shadow cabinet"](https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2024-12-12/new-welsh-conservatives-leader-darren-millar-ms-announces-shadow-cabinet). *ITV News*. 12 December 2024. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20241212171525/https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2024-12-12/new-welsh-conservatives-leader-darren-millar-ms-announces-shadow-cabinet) from the original on 12 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_7-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:2_7-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-:2_7-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-:2_7-4) ["Samuel Kurtz MS"](https://senedd.wales/people/samuel-kurtz-ms/). *senedd.wales*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240222000651/https://senedd.wales/people/samuel-kurtz-ms/) from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:6_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:6_8-1) ["Will Sam be the man for the Senedd?"](https://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/18909240.pembrokeshire-county-councillor-sam-kurtz-scleddau-welsh-conservatives-senedd-candidate/). *Western Telegraph*. 30 November 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240525105718/https://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/18909240.pembrokeshire-county-councillor-sam-kurtz-scleddau-welsh-conservatives-senedd-candidate/) from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Local Elections Archive Project - 2017 - Pembrokeshire"](https://www.andrewteale.me.uk/leap/results/2017/419/). *www.andrewteale.me.uk*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240525105724/https://www.andrewteale.me.uk/leap/results/2017/419/) from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:5_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:5_10-1) ["Election Results"](https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/county-council-elections). *www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240316210545/https://www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/county-council-elections) from the original on 16 March 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Mosalski, Ruth (21 June 2021). ["Members of the Senedd who are also councillors"](https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/members-senedd-who-also-councillors-20826610). *Wales Online*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230121173932/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/members-senedd-who-also-councillors-20826610) from the original on 21 January 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2024.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:7_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:7_12-1) Shipton, Martin (3 December 2020). ["Conservative Senedd candidate apologises for homophobic and misogynistic tweets in student years"](https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/conservative-senedd-candidate-apologises-homophobic-19393334). *[Wales Online](/source/Wales_Online)*. Retrieved 2 December 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Shipton, Martin (3 December 2020). ["Conservative candidate apologises for homophobic and misogynistic tweets"](https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/conservative-senedd-candidate-apologises-homophobic-19393334). *Wales Online*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240525105717/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/conservative-senedd-candidate-apologises-homophobic-19393334) from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Tory councillor Sam Kurtz apologises for offensive tweets"](https://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/18917788.tory-councillor-sam-kurtz-apologises-offensive-tweets/). *Western Telegraph*. 3 December 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240618195053/https://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/18917788.tory-councillor-sam-kurtz-apologises-offensive-tweets/) from the original on 18 June 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["Senedd Tory candidate apologises for offensive tweets"](https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-55144680). *BBC News*. 1 December 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240525105717/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-55144680) from the original on 25 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** ["Carmarthen West & Pembrokeshire South"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2021/wales/constituencies/W09000016). BBC News. 7 May 2021. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210507103711/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election/2021/wales/constituencies/W09000016) from the original on 7 May 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Jenkins, Katy (7 May 2021). ["Senedd 2021: Sam Kurtz, Conservative, takes Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire seat"](https://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/19287834.senedd-2021-sam-kurtz-conservative-takes-carmarthen-west-south-pembrokeshire-seat/). *Western Telegraph*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240618195052/https://www.westerntelegraph.co.uk/news/19287834.senedd-2021-sam-kurtz-conservative-takes-carmarthen-west-south-pembrokeshire-seat/) from the original on 18 June 2024. Retrieved 8 May 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:0_18-0)** ["Samuel Kurtz: 'Welsh farmers need a Welsh Government that is going to support the industry' | Farm News | Farmers Guardian"](https://www.farmersguardian.com/blog/4150288/welsh-farming-needs-friend). *www.farmersguardian.com*. 24 November 2023. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240129212048/https://www.farmersguardian.com/blog/4150288/welsh-farming-needs-friend) from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:1_19-0)** ["Samuel Kurtz MS Archives"](https://www.iwa.wales/authors/samuel-kurtz-ms/). *Institute of Welsh Affairs*. 30 September 2022. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240129211846/https://www.iwa.wales/authors/samuel-kurtz-ms/) from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["New Welsh Conservatives leader Darren Millar MS announces shadow cabinet"](https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2024-12-12/new-welsh-conservatives-leader-darren-millar-ms-announces-shadow-cabinet). *ITV News*. 12 December 2024. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20241212171525/https://www.itv.com/news/wales/2024-12-12/new-welsh-conservatives-leader-darren-millar-ms-announces-shadow-cabinet) from the original on 12 December 2024. Retrieved 16 December 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** ["Pembrokeshire set to be paired with Ceredigion in new look constituencies"](https://web.archive.org/web/20250121182446/https://www.tenby-today.co.uk/news/pembrokeshire-set-to-be-paired-with-ceredigion-in-new-look-constituencies-for-the-senedd-718543). *Tenby Observer*. 3 September 2024. Archived from [the original](https://www.tenby-today.co.uk/news/pembrokeshire-set-to-be-paired-with-ceredigion-in-new-look-constituencies-for-the-senedd-718543) on 21 January 2025. Retrieved 20 September 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Mosalski, Ruth (8 May 2026). ["The 16 politicians who lost their seats at Senedd 2026"](https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/16-politicians-who-lost-seats-33915840). *Wales Online*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:8_23-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:8_23-1) ["Conservative backs Senedd expansion, against party policy"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-60940659). *BBC News*. 31 March 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** Sinclair, Tom (9 September 2025). ["Samuel Kurtz calls on new Environment Secretary to back farmers"](https://pembrokeshire-herald.com/121449/samuel-kurtz-calls-on-new-environment-secretary-to-back-farmers/). Retrieved 20 September 2025.

Senedd Preceded by Angela Burns Member of the Senedd for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire 2021 – 2026 Succeeded by Constituency abolished

v t e Members of the Senedd 2021–2026 6th Senedd Labour (29-30) Mick Antoniw Hannah Blythyn Dawn Bowden Jayne Bryant Hefin David (died Aug 2025) Alun Davies Mark Drakeford († till Mar 2024) Rebecca Evans Vaughan Gething († Mar-Jul 2024) John Griffiths Lesley Griffiths Mike Hedges Vikki Howells Jane Hutt Huw Irranca-Davies Julie James Jeremy Miles Eluned MorganR† († since Jul 2024) Julie Morgan Sarah Murphy Lynne Neagle Rhianon Passmore Jenny Rathbone David Rees Jack Sargeant Ken Skates Carolyn ThomasR Lee Waters Joyce WatsonR Buffy Williams Conservatives (14-16) Natasha AsgharR Andrew RT DaviesR († till Dec 2024) Paul Davies Gareth Davies James Evans ( –Jan 2026) Janet Finch-Saunders Peter Fox Russell George ( –Apr 2025) Tom GiffardR Altaf HussainR Mark IsherwoodR Joel JamesR Laura Anne JonesR ( –Jul 2025) Samuel Kurtz Darren Millar † († since Dec 2024) Sam RowlandsR Plaid Cymru (12-13) Rhys ab OwenR ( –Nov 2022) Cefin CampbellR Luke FletcherR Heledd FychanR Llŷr Huws GruffyddR Peredur Owen GriffithsR Mabon ap Gwynfor Siân Gwenllian Rhun ap Iorwerth † († since June 2023) Delyth JewellR Elin Jones Adam Price († till May 2023) Lindsay Whittle (since Oct 2025) Sioned WilliamsR Liberal Democrats (1) Jane DoddsR† Reform (0-2) James Evans (Jan 2026– ) Laura Anne JonesR (Jul 2025– ) Independent (0-1) Rhys ab OwenR (Nov 2022– ) Russell George (Apr 2025– ) Llywydd (presiding officer): Elin Jones † = Party leaders R = Regional MS

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Samuel Kurtz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Kurtz) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Kurtz?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.