Former Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney announced Friday that he will be voting for Sen. Ted Cruz in next Tuesday’s Utah caucuses, arguing that an open convention in July is the “only path that remains” to stop GOP front-runner Donald Trump
In a Facebook post, Romney railed against “Trumpism,” comparing it to “Republicanism” and saying that it stands for racism, misogyny, xenophobia and vulgarity amongst other descriptors. The 2012 GOP nominee added that he is “repulsed” by each of those before laying out his argument for Cruz.
“This week, in the Utah nominating caucus, I will vote for Sen. Ted Cruz,” Romney opened his post.
“Today, there is a contest between Trumpism and Republicanism. Through the calculated statements of its leader, Trumpism has become associated with racism, misogyny, bigotry, xenophobia, vulgarity and, most recently, threats and violence,” Romney said. “I am repulsed by each and every one of these.”
“The only path that remains to nominate a Republican rather than Mr. Trump is to have an open convention,” Romney wrote. “At this stage, the only way we can reach an open convention is for Sen. Cruz to be successful in as many of the remaining nominating elections as possible.”
The former Massachusetts governor added that while he also likes Ohio Gov. John Kasich, a vote for him “makes it extremely likely that Trumpism would prevail.” Romney joined Kasich on the campaign trail ahead of Tuesday’s Ohio primary, which Kasich won.
“I like Gov. John Kasich. I have campaigned with him. He has a solid record as governor. I would have voted for him in Ohio,” Romney said. “But a vote for Gov. Kasich in future contests makes it extremely likely that Trumpism would prevail.
“I will vote for Sen. Cruz and I encourage others to do so as well, so that we can have an open convention and nominate a Republican,” Romney said.
Soon after the statement, Trump fired off a trio of tweets attacking both Romney and Cruz. Particularly, Trump called Romney a “mixed up man” while proclaiming that the news is “good for me.”
Mitt Romney is a mixed up man who doesn’t have a clue. No wonder he lost!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2016
Failed Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney was campaigning with John Kasich & Marco Rubio, and now he is endorsing Ted Cruz. 1/2
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2016
Failed presidential candidate Mitt Romney, the man who “choked” and let us all down, is now endorsing Lyin’ Ted Cruz. This is good for me!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 18, 2016
Romney, a well-known Mormon, is extremely popular in Utah, which is one of the states to cast ballots on Tuesday, along with Arizona. In the 2012 Utah primary, Romney won 93 percent support before taking home the Republican nomination. He also took home 89 percent in the state’s 2008 primary.
