When Sen. Mitt Romney (R‑UT) leaves the Senate at the end of the year, he will take with him his centrist reputation. But a primary election later this month will decide if Utah voters still prefer his brand of Republican politics or want to chart a Trumpier path.
Three candidates have solidified themselves as the front-runners in the home stretch of the Senate Republican primary: Rep. John Curtis (R‑UT), a climate hawk; Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs, a Trump-endorsed conservative; and Brad Wilson, former House speaker for the Beehive State.
GOP voters will choose among them on June 25, with the nominee expected to cruise to victory this November in the reliably red state.
Romney, who lost favor with conservatives after voting to convict former President Donald Trump in his two impeachments, is remaining neutral for fear of being a “kiss of death” to any of the campaigns, he told the Washington Examiner. The retiring senator said he would “absolutely” endorse whichever Republican wins the primary.
Or maybe not. Romney was noncommittal on if he’d get beh …