Former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney spoke at the University of Utah on Thursday to voice his criticisms of GOP front-runner Donald Trump. While Romney called on voters to reject the New York businessman, Utah Republicans may already be one step ahead.
According to polls by RealClearPolitics and the Huffington Post, Trump is currently third among GOP contenders in Utah, behind Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio. Romney said that whatever direction the party chooses will have consequences for the nation.
“Back in 1964, just days before the presidential election (which, incidentally, we lost) Ronald Reagan went on national television and challenged America, saying that it was a time for choosing,” Romney said. “I’m no Ronald Reagan and this is a different moment in time but I believe with all my heart and soul that we face another time for choosing, one that’ll have profound consequences for the Republican Party and, more importantly, for our country.”
Trump’s standing in Utah has dropped since a Salt Lake Tribune poll showed him in second place back in January. Romney said that the other Republican contenders should work to overtake Trump’s lead in the delegate count.
“Now, I know that some people want this race to be over. They look at history and say a trend like Mr. Trump’s isn’t going to be stopped. Perhaps, but the rules of political history have pretty much all been shredded during this campaign,” he said. “If the other candidates can find some common ground, I believe we can nominate a person who can win the general election and who will represent the values and policies of conservatism.”
Romney has not yet endorsed any candidate.
