Mitt Romney, former 2012 Republican presidential nominee was to announce his bid for Utah’s Senate seat today. Orrin Hatch, the current Senator plans to retire hence the vacancy. Many Americans in the state hope Mitt will use the position to continue criticizing Trump’s administration even though he is a Republican.
Romney’s bid was expected to be released through an online video on Thursday but he canceled it on Wednesday because of the tragic school shooting in Florida. Through a tweet on Wednesday, Romney stated that he was not going to announce his race for Utah’s Senate seat following the somber atmosphere in the country.
Viability of Romney’s Candidacy
Mitt Romney is a favorite in Utah State. He is a Mormon while the majority population in Utah is also Mormon. He is planning to focus his campaign in Utah and will probably call on Washington to learn from his current home state. Spencer Zwick, former fundraising chief in Romney’s presidential campaign stated that Mitt is going to make it clear that he is running for the seat not because he wants to have an edge over Trump, but because he would have run for Senator whether Trump or Hillary Clinton were presidents.
Romney, a famous and respected Mormon is widely liked in Utah. He helped Utah turn around the scandalous 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and also made the state his primary home after losing the 2012 presidential elections. Romney’s respectable character has earned him a deep network of fundraisers despite his deep pockets. Sources close to his claim that he will not require aid from Washington- based campaign committees.
The sources spoke on condition of anonymity as they are not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. They added that Romney has a small team of previous advisors which plans to maintain a low profile. According to the sources, Romney has been turning down requests for appearances in national forums to carefully design his campaign launch and avoid media questions about Trump.
Expectations from Americans
If or when Romney clenches the Senatorial seat, supporters hope that he will act as a moral and political compass for Trump who is otherwise perceived as erratic, divisive and undignified.
Kirk Jowers, Romney’s former chairman, and general counsel stated that he is always a ‘straight shooter’ who will speak up in support of Trump’s good policies or against when Trump makes wrong choices. He added that if the president does or says something offensive, you can be sure to hear Mitt Romney’s voice of reason in the Republican Party.
