Mitt Romney, who is running for the United States Senate in Utah, spelled out his stance on President Trump on Sunday.
In an editorial published in The Salt Lake Tribune, the former Massachusetts governor said voters have consistently asked him if he intends to support the “Trump agenda” if elected.
“I will support the president’s policies when I believe they are in the best interest of Utah and the nation,” Romney wrote. “I have noted, the first year of his administration has exceeded my expectations; he made our corporate tax code globally competitive, worked to reduce unnecessary regulations and restored multiple use on Utah public land.”
Romney also said he was glad Trump made the decision to abandon his original plan of “imposing a 35 percent tariff on all foreign goods.”
The relationship between the Senate candidate and the president has been strained in the past few years, with the pair frequently exchanging insults. Romney made headlines for calling Trump a “fraud” and a “phony” during the 2016 campaign. In retaliation, Trump often pointed to the failure of Romney’s 2012 presidential bid.
[Mitt Romney: I wouldn’t point to Trump as ‘role model for my grandkids’]
Even so, the president endorsed Romney for Senate in February, saying he will make a “great Senator” and a “worthy successor” to sitting senator Orrin 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) 20 February 2018
In his editorial, Romney stated he plans on critiquing Trump when necessary.
“I have and will continue to speak out when the president says or does something which is divisive, racist, sexist, anti-immigrant, dishonest or destructive to democratic institutions,” Romney wrote. “I do not make this a daily commentary; I express contrary views only when I believe it is a matter of substantial significance.”
Romney further noted his disapproval of the president’s withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and institution of “broad-based tariffs, particularly when they are imposed on our allies.”
GOP voters head to the polls to vote in the primary election this Tuesday, where Romney will go up against Dr. Mike Kennedy, a first-generation immigrant.
