Sen. Mitt Romney, 76, announced Wednesday that he will not run for a second Senate term in 2024, saying it was time for a younger cohort to take the political stage. opening a Senate seat in Utah.
“I spent my last 25 years in public service of one kind or another. At the end of another term, he would be about 80 years old. Frankly, it’s time for a new generation of leaders,” Romney declared in a video posted on social media.
Romney, the 2012 GOP presidential nominee, had been one of former President Donald Trump’s staunchest Republican critics in the Senate.
Stressing that he is “not backing down from the fight,” Romney warned of growing national difficulties ranging from a belligerent Russia and China to the rising national debt.
“Neither President Biden nor former President Trump are leading their party to confront these problems,” he emphasized, criticizing both for avoiding welfare reform.
“Too often, political motivations impede the solutions these challenges demand,” he continued. “The next generation of leaders must lead America to the next stage of global leadership.”
Mitt Romney will not run for reelection in 2024, the senator announced Wednesday.Senator Mitt Romney
Despite frequently serving as a political punching bag for Trump and his disciples, Romney emphasized that he loves the upper chamber and is proud of its accomplishments on bipartisan legislation on issues like guns and infrastructure.
“Contrary to what many expected, I really enjoy my work in the Senate. The last few years have been particularly productive,” he stated. “It is a great honor to serve Utah and the country and I thank you for giving me the opportunity to do so.”
The Utah senator is withdrawing from consideration for a second term at a time when many of the nation’s leaders are in their 70s and 80s.
President Biden, at 80, is the oldest chief executive in U.S. history and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is 81.
Senator Mitt Romney speaks to reporters during a news conference in which he discussed his intention not to seek re-election after the end of his current term, on Wednesday.REUTERS
Last week, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, 83, announced plans to seek re-election next year.
If Romney had won a second term in the Senate, it would extend until January 2031, when he would be 83 years old.
Romney was one of seven Republican senators who voted to convict Trump in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
Three of them are no longer in their positions: they resigned or retired.
With Romney out of the picture, Utah’s Senate seat is now up for grabs. Romney won a spirited fight to succeed the late Senator Orrin Hatch in 2018.
Last month, dozens of Utah Republican lawmakers endorsed state House Speaker Brad Wilson, who formed an exploratory committee for a Senate run in April.
During his time in the Senate, Romney emerged as a key ally of McConnell, who has faced new questions about his leadership following some health issues.
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