Global Courant
FIRST ON FOX: Utah’s largest police union has declared support for a Republican candidate to replace GOP Senator Mitt Romney in the 2024 Senate election.
“The Utah Fraternal Order of Police unanimously supports Trent Staggs for United States Senate,” said a press release provided to Fox News Digital. “Mayor Staggs has been a longtime supporter of law enforcement and in particular the FOP. He consistently demonstrates in words and deeds what it means to support law enforcement and has received the unanimous endorsement of our board of directors and trustees.”
“He understands the need to protect both our safety and working conditions, and we wholeheartedly support his candidacy,” the union added.
The union endorsement of Staggs, who has served as mayor of Riverton since 2018, marks the group’s first primary endorsement by the Senate. In previous elections, the Utah FOP supported now-Rep. Burgess Owens, R-Utah, as well as former Representative Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah.
‘ENOUGH IS ENOUGH’: UTAH MAYOR ANNOUNCES OFFER TO TAKE ROMNEY’S SENATE SEAT
By announcing his candidacy for the race last month, Staggs became the first person to publicly challenge Romney, who has angered many voters within his own party for his reasoning and support for certain policies and bills. (Trent Staggs)
Brent Jex, president of the Utah Fraternal Order of Police, told Fox News Digital that Staggs “has stood up for the blue even in recent times when it was politically expedient to keep law enforcement at bay.”
“He’s had our back, and now we’ve got his,” Jex added.
Responding to the endorsement, Staggs told Fox News Digital he is “honoured” by the union’s support and pledged to continue his support for them.
“In light of the attacks on law enforcement in recent years, the very first endorsement I sought was the Fraternal Order of Police,” Staggs said. “I wanted our local officers to know they would always have my support, and I’m honored to have theirs. They deserve a senator willing to stand with them instead of going against them.”
Staggs — who rose to prominence in 2020 for his opposition to masking mandates amid the coronavirus pandemic — announced last month that he was running for the Senate seat currently held by Romney, who has yet to declare whether he will seek re-election. will search.
In a possible first step toward re-election, Romney filed FEC paperwork in April. But his chief of staff told local media that he has not yet made a final decision.
“I love my children and I worry about the land they will inherit if I stay on the sidelines,” Staggs told Fox News Digital in May. “For too long we have allowed government bureaucrats to squander the future of the next generation, and we need more voices willing to push back.”
Staggs announced his candidacy for the Senate last month, saying Romney “has let personal problems get in the way of good governance.” (Trent Staggs, Sarah Silbiger/Bloomberg)
When asked why he believes Romney is not an effective leader for the state, Staggs said: “Unfortunately, Mitt Romney has let personal issues get in the way of good governance. From not standing with Mike Lee against raising the debt ceiling to votes for the $1.7 trillion omnibus, he helped us go deeper into debt.”
“He votes to impeach President Trump, but then has the audacity to affirm a radical justice like Ketanji Brown Jackson and incompetent cabinet members like open border (DHS Sec. Alejandro) Mayorkas,” he added.
By announcing his candidacy for the race, Staggs became the first person to publicly challenge Romney, who has angered many voters within his own party for his reasoning and support for certain policies and bills.
“Mitt Romney fits into the Senate much better than I do. We’ve elected way too many people who ‘fit’ into Washington. I’m not going to Washington to make friends, I’m going to make change,” Staggs stated.
Senator Mitt Romney, R-Utah, leaves the Senate floor on November 16, 2022, in Washington, DC. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
Romney has officially said that if he were to run for office, he has no doubt that he would be successfully re-elected. He defeated Democrat Jenny Wilson with over 62% of the vote in 2018.
“I’m convinced that if I run, I’ll win. But that’s a decision I’ll make,” Romney said of a possible re-election bid.
Romney was the GOP nominee in the 2012 presidential election, but was defeated by former President Obama.
Romney’s office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
