Senator Romney Says One And Done

Utah Republican Senator Mitt Romney will not run for re-election. Romney told the "Washington Post" he will not seek second term, adding it's time for a new generation to "step up" and "shape the world they're going to live in." He added a second term would take him into his 80s, and he would be less productive.

In taking to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Romney said, “contrary to a lot of expectations, I enjoy my work in the senate.” Romney went on to say that the last few years have been particularly productive pointing to his leadership in negotiating the bi-partisan infrastructure bill as well as a “comprehensive Chinese strategy process.”

Romney also touted his work on religious freedom protection, a “compromise gun safety law,” the “electoral count reform” and his work to secure emergency relief funding. The senator also stressed that he secured funding for projects deeply touching Utah, including Hill Air Force Base, wildfire prevention, water infrastructure, rural broadband, studies for the Great Salt Lake among others.

Romney said he spent the “last 25 years in public service of one kind or another.” Romney's own political career began in earnest when he was elected as the Governor of Massachusetts in 2002. As governor, he implemented significant healthcare reform, including the Massachusetts Health Care Reform Act, often referred to as "Romneycare." This legislation served as a precursor to the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, which became a major point of contention during his later presidential campaigns.

In announcing his decision to not run, Romney said, “frankly, it's time for a new generation of leaders. They're the ones who need to make the decisions to shape the world they will be living in.”

In looking at the challenges facing the country and the world today, Romney listed them as “mounting national debt, climate change and the ambitious authoritarians of Russia and China.”

Romney expressed doubt that either of the two leading candidates for President of the United States, President Joe Bidden and former President Donald Trump would be up to confronting those issues. He claimed neither man would challenge entitlement spending.

He claimed that Trump called global warming a “hoax” and that Bidden offered only “feel good” solutions that make no difference to the global climate.

On the worlds authoritarians, Romney said that Bidden under-invests in the military while Trump under-invests in alliances.

In 2008, Mitt Romney ran for the Republican nomination for the presidency but ultimately lost to Senator John McCain. However, he remained a prominent figure within the Republican Party and continued to build his political profile.

He ran again in 2012 and secured the Republican nomination to challenge incumbent President Barack Obama. Romney's campaign focused on issues such as economic reform and reducing government spending. Despite a strong campaign, he was unsuccessful in defeating President Obama in the general election.

After his presidential campaigns, Romney transitioned into the role of a U.S. Senator from Utah. In 2018, he won a seat in the Senate, becoming the junior senator from the state. Romney has often been seen as a moderate voice within the Republican Party.

The senator did say that his work in the senate is not done. “While I'm not running for re-election, I'm not retiring from the fight. I'll be your United States Senator until January 2025. I will keep working on these and other issues and I will advance our state's numerous priorities.”

Romney concluded his re marks by saying, “it really is a profound honor to serve Utah, and the country, and I thank you for giving me the opportunity to do so.”