From Deseret News archives:

Josh Romney mulling politics

He might run against Matheson for Congress

Published: Monday, Feb. 25, 2008 12:10 a.m. MST
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Utahns may get the chance to vote for a Romney this November after all — Josh Romney, the son of former GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney, says he's considering a run for Congress.

Of course, there's always the possibility that Mitt Romney may end up on the ballot as a vice presidential candidate — or even, some suggest, the party's nominee if the campaign of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., continues to falter.

Josh Romney told the Deseret Morning News that after a year of campaigning across country for his father, he's been approached to run as a Republican against 2nd Congressional District Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah.

"I haven't ruled it out," Josh Romney, 32, of Millcreek, said of becoming a candidate himself. "I'm pretty young, but I've had good experience on the campaign trail." Plus, he said, he likely could count on his father's supporters here in Utah.

He also has to consider whether he's ready to take on the rigors of another race and spend more time away from his wife, Jen, and their three children, Owen, 1; Wyatt, 3; and Gracie, 5; as well as his career in real estate development.

Josh Romney is the only one of the family's five sons who lives in Utah. His father, who served as the head of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, was considered a "favorite son" presidential candidate in Utah.

Mitt Romney collected more contributions in Utah than in any other state except California and won Utah's Feb. 5 GOP primary with 90 percent of the vote. He and his family are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as are the majority of Utahns.

During his father's campaign, Josh Romney drove a motor home to each of Iowa's 99 counties and represented his father in a number of other, mostly Western states, including Wyoming, Alaska and Colorado.

The efforts of Josh Romney and his four brothers, though, weren't enough to keep his father in the race. Mitt Romney recently ended his bid for the White House after a poor Super Tuesday showing overall on Feb. 5 and endorsed McCain.

Josh Romney called speculation that his father could be back in the race as either a vice presidential candidate or even at the top of the ticket as the GOP's presidential candidate "possible. Unlikely, but possible."

Although Mitt Romney has taken himself out of the race, McCain's campaign has been hurt by a report that implied he had an improper relationship with a female lobbyist. Political pundits have said that could lead to an opening for another candidate, especially Mitt Romney.

Recent comments

Doesn't matter, I would vote for a Romney before I see Matheson in...

Susan | Aug. 24, 2009 at 11:57 a.m.

Sounds like sour grapes! McCain is the Republican canadiate the lies...

Anonymous | March 13, 2008 at 9:31 a.m.

Anonymous, you are impossible. I do think McCain is a hero,...

Ardent | Feb. 29, 2008 at 9:47 p.m.

Image

Josh Romney, son of Mitt Romney, stands in the kitchen of his Millcreek home with his wife, Jen, and his three children, from left to right, Gracie, Wyatt and Owen, Friday. Josh Romney says he's been approached to run for Congress in the 2nd District.

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