Republican Senator Mitt Romney told The Washington Post that he will not seek a second term in the Senate, stating in an interview that the time has come for a new generation to step forward.
Romney's exit marks the end of a political career that spanned decades, from being the former governor of Massachusetts to the Republican presidential nominee in 2012. In recent years, he emerged as one of the prominent Republican critics of former President Donald Trump.
The 76-year-old Romney stated that his decision not to run again is due to the belief that a second term, which would lead him into his eighties, might be less productive and less satisfying than his current tenure.
He attributed this to the chaos he sees among Republicans in the House and his lack of confidence in the leadership of President Joe Biden and Trump. In an extensive phone interview where he announced his decision officially, Romney remarked, "It's extremely difficult for the House to function, and perhaps more importantly, we are likely to have either Trump or Biden as our next president."
He continued, "Biden is incapable of leading on important matters, and Trump is uninterested in leading on important matters."
Romney, who was elected to the Senate in 2018 with 63 percent of the votes, stated that he will complete his term, which ends in January 2025.
His decision not to seek re-election next year is likely to signal the end of his political career. This was particularly notable during the Trump era, in terms of his independence and willingness to stand against his party's base, which shifted significantly towards Trump over the past decade.
