Mitt Romney announced Thursday he has an announcement to make and unless he changes his mind _ or plans to shock all humanity _ the expectation is that he will formally launch his bid for a U.S. Senate seat in Utah.
The 2012 Republican presidential nominee will start the race as an overwhelming favorite to succeed seven-term GOP incumbent Orrin Hatch, who announced last month he would not seek re-election.
Although he made his business and political careers elsewhere, the former Massachusetts governor is no stranger to Utah, where Romney attended Brigham Young University and helped rescue the financially imperiled 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. He keeps two homes in Utah and is regarded as something of a native son.
Polls show him easily outdistancing the leading Democratic contender, Jenny Wilson, 52, a member of the Salt Lake County Commission.
At this point, the greatest question surrounding Romney's candidacy is whether he allies himself with President Donald Trump or positions himself as one of his GOP critics.
The two have had a rocky relationship, trading barbs and insults, although they reportedly engaged in a cordial telephone conversation after Hatch announced his decision to stand aside.
Romney's Feb. 15 announcement speech will likely offer a clue to his intentions.
