WASHINGTON_Former GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney is poised for a political comeback, winning Tuesday's Republican Senate primary in Utah.
Romney defeated state Rep. Mike Kennedy, garnering 76 percent of the vote with 56 percent of precincts reporting, according to The Associated Press. Kennedy narrowly defeated Romney at the GOP convention in April, but had won just 24 percent of the vote when the AP called the race.
Longtime GOP Sen. Orrin G. Hatch, who is retiring, recruited Romney to run for the seat. The Boston Globe reported that Hatch discussed Romney running last March. Hatch, who is the most senior GOP senator, said he did not want "some dud" to replace him.
Romney is expected to be in a strong position to win the Senate seat in November. He will face Salt Lake County Councilwoman Jenny Wilson, who secured the Democratic nomination at her party's convention in April. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rates the race Solid Republican.
Participating in the legislative branch would be a new experience for Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts. But some senators expect Romney to enter the Senate _ where one senator has powers to slow legislation _ with considerable sway. Retiring Arizona GOP Sen. Jeff Flake said he expected Romney would create a "new power center" among Republicans.
Romney could be a thorn in President Donald Trump's side _ but not on every issue. The former presidential contender wrote in a Salt Lake Tribune op-ed this week that he will support the president when it benefits Utah, and oppose him 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."
