As Mitt Romney prepares to exit the U.S. Senate, Washington faces the absence of one of its most prominent conservative critics of President Donald Trump. Romney, who served as the 2012 Republican presidential nominee and as governor of Massachusetts, will hold a final news conference in Salt Lake City to reflect on his two-decade political career.
The 77-year-old senator decided not to seek reelection after representing Utah in the Senate since 2019. He aims to focus on engaging more young people in politics post his departure in January, although specific plans remain undisclosed.
Once a leading figure in the Republican Party, Romney's moderate conservatism shifted from mainstream to unconventional with Trump's rise. He emerged as a voice for the centrist core in Congress, playing a pivotal role in negotiating the $550 billion bipartisan infrastructure law and a significant COVID-19 relief package.
Concerns arise among political analysts about the potential void Romney's departure may create in terms of strong centrist voices to uphold bipartisanship amid escalating polarization in Washington.
Republican U.S. Rep. John Curtis is set to succeed Romney in the Senate. Curtis is known for challenging party leaders, including Trump, on issues like climate change denial. Observers will closely monitor Curtis and other moderate Republicans for potential breaks with the party on votes related to confirming Trump's cabinet nominees.
In a historic move in 2020, Romney became the first senator to vote to convict a president from his own party in an impeachment trial. He stood as the sole Republican in Congress to vote for Trump's conviction in both impeachment trials, although the Senate ultimately acquitted Trump on both occasions.
Earlier this year, Romney declared he would not support Trump but refrained from endorsing Democrat Kamala Harris, citing a desire to maintain his future capacity to aid in the reconstruction of the Republican Party.
