FILE - In this Feb. 16, 2018, file photo, shows former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney sitting behind the wheel of a tractor during a tour of Gibson's Green Acres Dairy in Ogden, Utah. Romney is gearing up for arguably the biggest challenge of his Senate campaign: A Utah Republican party convention where he'll have to face down nearly a dozen contenders in front of a far-right-leaning audience. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)'
The Associated Press
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (AP) - The Latest on Mitt Romney's bid to win the GOP nomination for a U.S. Senate seat in Utah at the party's state convention. (all times local):
7:30 p.m.
Mitt Romney has been forced into a Republican primary for a U.S. Senate seat in Utah as he looks to restart his political career by replacing long-serving Sen. Orrin Hatch.
Romney already has collected enough signatures to advance to a GOP primary. But if he had won the vote of party delegates Saturday, he would have bypassed a primary altogether.
Instead, he was edged out by state lawmaker Mike Kennedy, and voters will decide between the two in a June 26 primary.
The loss is a stumble for Romney. He went up against 11 other candidates, mostly political newcomers who questioned Romney's criticism of President Donald Trump and the depth of his ties to Utah
Romney remains the heavy favorite overall to win the Senate seat in November.
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3 a.m.
Mitt Romney may have one of the best-known names in national politics, but he's still going to have to face down nearly a dozen Republican contenders in Utah on Saturday in his bid to restart his political career with a U.S. Senate seat.
Romney will face an unpredictable crowd of far-right-leaning delegates at the Utah Republican Party convention. But while a loss would be awkward for the former presidential candidate, it wouldn't end his campaign.
That's because candidates can also win a primary spot in Utah by gathering voter signatures, which Romney has done. Though the law is a source of contention in the party, some high-profile candidates like Utah Gov. Gary Herbert have taken that route to victory despite losing at convention.
Romney will be one of 12 candidates vying for the support of core party members in the race to replace long-serving Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch.
A win on Saturday would let Romney bypass the June primary and likely cruise to Election Day victory in deep-red Utah.
The state party delegates elected by their neighbors are gathering at the convention to choose nominees for races ranging from U.S. Senate to state Legislature.
Republican U.S. Reps. Rob Bishop, John Curtis and Chris Stewart are all facing off against challengers and looking to secure the path to re-election. U.S. Rep. Mia Love is unopposed in seeking the nomination, but could face a well-known Democratic opponent in a general election battle in November.
Romney, 71, will ask for the delegates' vote after spending two months on the campaign trail visiting dairy farms, taking selfies with college students and making stump speeches in small towns.
After his failed 2012 presidential campaign, he moved to Utah, where he is also known for his role in the 2002 Winter Olympics and for becoming the first Mormon presidential nominee of a major political party.
He's worked to keep the focus on state issues rather than his history of well-documented feuds with President Donald Trump, whom he called a "con-man" and a phony during the 2016 race. Trump fired back that Romney "choked like a dog" during his own White House run. But the two men have shown fresh signs of burying the hatchet, and Romney has accepted Trump's endorsement.
Romney's competitors are largely political newcomers aside from state Rep. Mike Kennedy, a Republican from Alpine who has served in the Legislature since 2013.
In this Friday, March 2, 2018 photo, Mitt Romney poses with a group at the Sportsmen for Fish and Wildlife Banquet during a campaign stop, in Blanding, Utah. Romney is gearing up for arguably the biggest challenge of his Senate campaign: A Utah Republican party convention where he'll have to face down nearly a dozen contenders in front of a far-right-leaning audience. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
The Associated Press
In this Saturday, March 3, 2018, photo, shows Mitt Romney during a tour of Arches National Park, near Moab, Utah. Romney is gearing up for arguably the biggest challenge of his Senate campaign: A Utah Republican party convention where he'll have to face down nearly a dozen contenders in front of a far-right-leaning audience. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Feb. 16, 2018, file photo, former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, left, poses for a photo as he greets students at Utah Valley University, in Orem, Utah. Romney is gearing up for arguably the biggest challenge of his Senate campaign: A Utah Republican party convention where he'll have to face down nearly a dozen contenders in front of a far-right-leaning audience. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this March 3, 2018, file photo, Mitt Romney speaks with a group during a breakfast campaign stop in Green River, Utah. Romney is gearing up for arguably the biggest challenge of his Senate campaign: A Utah Republican party convention where he'll have to face down nearly a dozen contenders in front of a far-right-leaning audience. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this Feb. 16, 2018, file photo, shows former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney standing near cows during a tour of Gibson's Green Acres Dairy in Ogden, Utah. Romney is gearing up for arguably the biggest challenge of his Senate campaign: A Utah Republican party convention where he'll have to face down nearly a dozen contenders in front of a far-right-leaning audience. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
The Associated Press
FILE - In this March 1, 2018, file photo, shows Rep. Mike Kennedy, R-Alpine, speaking during news conference at the Utah State Capitol, in Salt Lake City. Romney is gearing up for arguably the biggest challenge of his Senate campaign: A Utah Republican party convention where he'll have to face down nearly a dozen contenders in front of a far-right-leaning audience. Others in the crowded field include state Rep. Kennedy, who has served in the Legislature since 2013. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
The Associated Press
In the Wednesday, April 18, 2018, photo, Rep. Mike Kennedy, R-Alpine, speaks on the House floor during a special session at the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City. Romney is gearing up for arguably the biggest challenge of his Senate campaign: A Utah Republican party convention where he'll have to face down nearly a dozen contenders in front of a far-right-leaning audience. Others in the crowded field include state Rep. Kennedy, who has served in the Legislature since 2013. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
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