Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney said Wednesday that he will not be announcing his run for Senate on Thursday as previously planned.
Romney was expected to announce his campaign to replace retiring Republican Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch, but pushed back the announcement following the school shooting in Florida Wednesday that left 17 people dead.
“As a father and grandfather, my heart aches for the victims of today’s tragic events. My prayers go out to all of the families and loved ones affected by this senseless act of violence,” Romney said in a statement Thursday evening.
“Out of respect for the victims and their families, I will not be making an announcement tomorrow about the Senate race.”
Romney’s Senate campaign got off to a rough start on Thursday when the chairman of the Utah Republican Party said Romney is “keeping out candidates that I think would be a better fit for Utah” and compared him to Hillary Clinton.
Anderson later walked back his comments and said he has “no doubt that Mitt Romney satisfies all qualifications to run for Senate” and pledged to treat all candidates fairly.