On Wednesday, 76-year-old US Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) announced in a video posted to X, formerly Twitter, that he wouldn't seek re-election beyond his current term that ends in January 2025, pointing to the fact that he would be in his mid-eighties by the time he completed another term.
In his statement, Romney said, "It’s time for a new generation of leaders" to make decisions that will shape the world, especially in the critical realms of national debt, climate change, and relations with China and Russia.
Romney's time in the Senate was overshadowed by his attacks on his fellow Republicans, with his decision to vote in favor of the Democrats’ bogus impeachments of Trump sealing his RINO status. His criticisms from the sidelines after his term is up will be as ineffective as his work as a Senator.
Romney can't be blamed for stepping aside, considering how radicalized the Republican party has become. He's remained entrenched in conservatism, but there are some who see him as a leftist, and he was likely to lose a primary. It's unfortunate that Democrats will be losing a common-sense Republican with whom they could negotiate on vital matters.