House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., announced Friday that he is endorsing Mitt Romney’s campaign for the Senate in Utah, giving his 2012 ticket-mate his “unwavering support” and calling his announcement a “terrific day” for the upper chamber
“This is a terrific day for the United States Senate,” Ryan said. “I was honored to join Mitt Romney on the national ticket in 2012 and couldn’t be happier that he’s running for this seat.
“Our party and our country are always better off when Mitt is engaged, and I know that he will put his unparalleled experience, conservative leadership, and lifetime of service to work for Utah in the U.S. Senate,” Ryan said. “His campaign has my unwavering support, and the people of Utah will be getting an accomplished and decent man when they make him their next Senator.”
Romney and Ryan lost to former President Barack Obama in his 2012 re-election bid, but have remained friends since the campaign. Romney was in attendance when Ryan took over the speakership from John Boehner in 2015.
The former Massachusetts governor made a low-key announcement for the seat on Friday over social media with a web video. He will make his first formal remarks on his announcement in Provo Friday night.
Romney is running to replace Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, who announced in early January that he would not be running for re-election after seven terms in office.
