On Feb. 22, Governor Mitt Romney came to SUU to not only meet-and-greet with students, but to obtain signatures in order to be put on the ballot for Utah U.S. Senator.
A team leader from the Romney Campaign Taylor Call, a political science major from Concord, Massachusetts, said, he thought it was meaningful for Romney to travel to Southern Utah.
“In order to be put on the ballot he needs 28,000 signatures,” Call said. “I think he could have easily stayed in Utah County, but from the start of my involvement in the campaign, he has made it clear that he wants to get across the entire state and get signatures from every county.”
According to Call, people volunteering for the Romney campaign received several hundred signatures during the meet-and-greet and had about 500 people come out to the event.
Romney was the Governor of Massachusetts from 2004-07 followed by a presidential campaign in 2012. Now, Romney said he feels like he is the best person to represent Utah in Washington.
“Well I am living in Utah, this is like the home of my heritage,” Governor Romney said. “I am concerned with the loss of the clout of Senator Orrin Hatch, we need someone who has the kind of relationships in Washington to fight for Utah. And I think I can do that better than anyone else in this race.”
On Feb. 19, President Trump tweeted Governor Romney saying, “@MittRomney has announced he is running for the Senate from the wonderful State of Utah. He will make a great Senator and worthy successor to @OrrinHatch, and has my full support and endorsement!”
To which Governor Romney replied, “Thank you, Mr. President, for the support. I hope that over the course of the campaign I also earn the support and endorsement of the people of Utah.”
President Trump and Governor Romney’s relationship over Twitter has been both friendly and of vocal opposition.
Despite what has happened in the past, Governor Romney said he looks towards the future on how he and President Trump can come together for the good of the country.
“Well, President Trump and I respect one another for calling things like we see them and not being subject to political correctness,” Governor Romney said. “We don’t always agree and where we don’t-either with actions or words, I am sure we will point that out. That has happened on both of our fronts in the past, and that would continue in the future. But he has adopted much of the mainstream Republican policy and that is something we can work on together.”
Governor Romney said he is prepared to not only work with President Trump but other important political leaders as well in order to work on important political matters.
“I will, of course, speak with (President Trump) to the extent he has available to talk about these issues of significance both here at home and those that relate to those relationships around the world,” Governor Romney said. “I (also) have deep relationships with members of the Senate and of course some congresspeople as well-Paul Ryan comes to mind of someone I know pretty darn well. So I expect to work with the administration, the President and other members of Congress if I am lucky enough to get the job.”
One policy that is currently up for debate in Washington is Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which Governor Romney believes to be revised.
“I believe we do need to adjust the policies in regards to the “dreamers” so-called DACA issue,” Governor Romney said. “The President has expressed a willingness to do so. I believe that now President Obama laid out a plan for them to become legal residents that we should respect what was laid out by the former President… That would mean finding a way for them to remain in our country legally and ultimately get in line to become citizens. I would not put in place a special pathway but rather the same pathway other immigrants wishing to become American citizens have to follow.”
According to his campaign video, a large part of Governor Romney’s campaign is bringing, “Utah’s’ values to Washington” which includes creating and following a budget.
“Utah balances its budgets,” Governor Romney said. “People in Utah expect you not to borrow borrow borrow, but instead live within your means.Washington hasn’t learned how to do that yet. And so I will be one of those among Mike Lee who will fight to get to a balanced budget and to stop the excessive borrowing we have seen from Washington politicians.”
Governor Romney said it is important for college-aged students to be involved in politics because they are the future.
“The people are going to college today whether at SUU or other places around the globe, are going to be shaping what the world looks like,” Governor Romney said. “I have got 24 grandkids, I want the world to be a more prosperous and peaceful place than it is today. And that means young people, people who are attending college getting a better perspective on what is happening in the world and applying for the leadership role. And getting involved in politics is one way to do.”
Governor Romney will continue on the campaign trail throughout Utah until the election in November.
For more information on Governor Romney’s campaign visit https://www.romneyforutah.com/.
Story By
Cassidy Harmon
accent@suunews.com
Photo By
Mitchell Quartz
photos@suunews.com
