Trump endorses Romney in Utah Senate race

February 19, 2018

WASHINGTON — President Trump has endorsed Mitt Romney in Utah’s Senate race, another sign they are burying the hatchet after a fraught relationship. Romney, the Republican presidential nominee in 2012, announced last week he would seek the nomination to replace retiring Sen. Orrin Hatch.

In a tweet Monday night, Mr. Trump wrote that Romney will make a great senator and worthy successor to Hatch.

.@MittRomney has announced he is running for the Senate from the wonderful State of Utah. He will make a great Senator and worthy successor to @OrrinHatch, and has my full support and endorsement!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 20, 2018

Romney quickly thanked the president for his endorsement Monday.

Thank you Mr. President for the support. I hope that over the course of the campaign I also earn the support and endorsement of the people of Utah.

— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) February 20, 2018

Mr. Trump has not always been so positive about Romney. In 2016, Trump said Romney had “choked like a dog” during his failed 2012 bid against former President Barack Obama.

“The last election should have been won, except Romney choked like a dog,” Mr. Trump said of Romney during a New York rally. “He choked. He went ‘I can’t breathe! I can’t breathe,’ he said.”

For his part, Romney gave a scathing critique of then-candidate Mr. Trump during the GOP primary that year, calling him a “phony” who was unfit for office.

“Here’s what I know. Donald Trump is a phony, a fraud,” Romney said in a 2016 speech in Salt Lake City. “His promises are as worthless as a degree from Trump University. He’s playing the American public for suckers: He gets a free ride to the White House and all we get is a lousy hat.”