Former President Donald Trump has officially endorsed Trent Staggs, the Republican mayor vying to replace retiring Republican Sen. Mitt Romney in Utah's GOP primary race for the Senate. Trump's endorsement came in a post on Truth Social, where he praised Staggs as a '100% MAGA' candidate who is poised to bring change to Washington.
Staggs, who has served as the Mayor of Riverton for the past six years, is known for his stance against mask mandates during the pandemic. He announced his decision to enter the Senate race last May, emphasizing his commitment to pushing back against government overspending and advocating for a new generation of leadership.
In response to Romney's announcement that he would not seek re-election, Staggs positioned himself as a candidate focused on making tangible changes rather than fitting into the Washington establishment. He has garnered support from prominent Republicans, including Sen. Tommy Tuberville, Rep. Matt Gaetz, and Arizona Senate candidate Kari Lake.
Staggs' platform emphasizes job creation, economic growth, border security, and support for the military and veterans. He has also received endorsements from Utah's largest police union, the Utah Fraternal Order of Police, for his commitment to law enforcement.
The Utah GOP convention, held on Saturday, featured nearly a dozen Republican candidates vying for the party's nomination. The convention tends to favor far-right candidates who resonate with the party's base, and the winner may gain momentum heading into the primary election on June 25.
With Trump's endorsement and a growing list of supporters, Staggs is positioning himself as a formidable contender in the race to succeed Romney in the Senate. The outcome of the primary will ultimately be decided by Republican voters in Utah, who will determine the party's nominee for the upcoming election.
