Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Republican Mayor Trent Staggs, who is seeking to replace retiring Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, in Utah’s Republican Senate primary.
“Trent Staggs is 100% MAGA and is running for loser Mitt Romney’s next Senate seat from Utah.” written by trump In a Saturday morning post on Truth Social. “A highly successful entrepreneur who has served admirably as Mayor of Riverton for the past six years, Trent knows how to create jobs, stop inflation, grow the economy and secure our borders.”
“As our next senator, Trent will help us unleash America’s energy, support our military and veterans, and protect our Second Amendment, which is always under siege,” he added. “Trent Staggs has my full and complete support. He will be a great senator and will never let you down!”
Trump’s endorsement of Staggs comes on the same day that more than a dozen Republicans, including former House Speaker Brad Wilson and current Utah Representative John Curtis, articulate the brand of political conservatism most appealing to modern people. He announced his name in the race for the party’s nomination in an election that is expected to lead to a strong lead. state voters.
Trent Staggs receives support from Utah’s largest police union
Former President Donald Trump on Saturday endorsed Trent Staggs in Utah’s Republican primary for U.S. Senate. (Getty Images, Trent Staggs Campaign)
Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs, who made a name for himself in 2020 by opposing mask mandates during the coronavirus pandemic, before Romney announced he would retire from Congress at the end of his term next year. He announced his decision to run in May last year. .
“I love my children, but I worry about the country they will inherit if I sit on the sidelines,” Staggs told Fox News Digital at the time. “For too long, we have allowed government bureaucrats to waste the future of the next generation. We need more voices willing to stand up against this.”
“Mitt Romney is a much better fit in the Senate than I am. We’ve elected too many people who ‘adapt’ to Washington. I don’t go to Washington to make friends. I don’t go to Washington to make changes. I’m going to wake it up,” he said. Added.
Romney was the Republican presidential nominee in 2012, losing to Barack Obama, but announced in September that he would not seek a second term in the Senate.
Republican senators look forward to distancing themselves from ties to Texas green energy company
Romney announced in September that he would not seek reelection to a second term in the Senate. (Ting Sheng/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
In announcing his decision, Romney declared he was “not retiring from the fight” and criticized both President Biden and Trump, calling for a “new generation of leadership.”
“I have been in some form of public service for the last 25 years, and by the end of my next term I will be in my mid-80s.Frankly, it is time for a new generation of leaders. are leaders.” They must make decisions that will shape the world they will live in. ” Romney said in a statement: It was obtained by Fox News Digital at the time.
Mr. Staggs was one of the first candidates to potentially challenge Mr. Romney, and has since been joined by Sen. Tommy Tuberville (Alabama), Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake, and Rep. Matt Gaetz (R). He has received support from several prominent Republicans, including (Florida). ., former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and others.
He also has the support of Utah’s largest police union, the Utah Fraternal Order of Police, which considers Staggs a “long-time supporter of law enforcement, especially the FOP.”
Mr. Staggs was one of the first candidates to potentially challenge Mr. Romney and has since received support from several prominent Republicans and the state’s largest police union. (Trent Staggs)
“He understands the need to protect our safety and working conditions, and we wholeheartedly support his candidacy,” the union said in a statement to FOX last June.
The winner of Saturday’s state Republican convention could have an advantage in the race, as they tend to support far-right candidates who appeal to the party’s most dedicated members. Some of the losing candidates could collect signatures to get on the June 25 primary ballot, so Republican voters will ultimately decide within their party who will succeed Romney.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
