Trump so far has three declared primary challengers looking to derail his reelection bid: Bill Weld, another former Massachusetts governor; Joe Walsh, a former Illinois congressman turned conservative shock jock; and Mark Sanford, a former South Carolina governor and congressman better known for a very public extramarital affair.

But seeking to protect the incumbent, many state parties are looking to cancel their own primary contests, including South Carolina, which voted last weekend to nix the event. Nevada and Arizona may follow the Palmetto State’s lead in the next couple of weeks.

Romney, who won’t enter the race himself, didn’t approve of the move. “I would far prefer having an open primary, caucus, convention process … where people can be heard,” Romney said. The junior Utah senator has chosen select moments to rebuke Trump when he’s disagreed with the president or felt like he’s had to condemn his behavior, despite entertaining the idea of joining his administration as secretary of state.

The Utah Republican, for example, had sharp words for Trump after the release of special counsel Robert Mueller’s report outlining his team’s findings from his federal Russia investigation. “I am sickened at the extent and pervasiveness of dishonesty and misdirection by individuals in the highest office of the land, including the President,” he said in a statement at the time.

Prior to taking his seat in the Senate earlier this year, Romney, whose niece is head of the Republican National Committee, wrote a scathing Washington Post opinion piece ripping Trump. “With the nation so divided, resentful and angry, presidential leadership in qualities of character is indispensable. And it is in this province where the incumbent’s shortfall has been most glaring,” he wrote.