Romney approval tanks in Utah: poll

Utah Republican Sen. Mitt Romney has seen his popularity in the Beehive state fall considerably in recent months as the moderate Republican continues to separate himself from the pro-Trump wing of the party.

Romney has filed the paperwork to seek reelection but has not yet officially announced his plans. He first secured election to the seat in 2018 as after moving from Massachusetts.

The Republican lawmaker earned the approval of 41% of voters in the latest Deseret News/Hinckley Institute of Politics poll. In March, he had performed 11 points better, earning the approval of 52% of voters in the state. His disapproval rating surged 5 points from 44% in March to 49% in June.

Voters were split on whether he ought to seek reelection, though a 51% majority opposed him doing so. Forty-seven percent backed another Romney candidacy. 

Conducted from May 22-June 1, the survey questioned 798 Utah voters and has a margin of error of +/- 3.46%.

At least one Republican has entered the field to challenge Romney should he seek reelection. Riverton Mayor Trent Staggs declared his candidacy in late May, highlighting Romney's moderate record and move to Utah to secure the seat.

"The only thing I've seen him fight for are the establishment, wokeness, open borders, impeaching President Trump, and putting us even deeper into debt," he said in a campaign video. "We have more IRS agents than border agents, and while we're paying $4 a gallon for gas, they're sending our money unchecked to Ukraine. Now we're almost $32 trillion in debt. Enough is enough."

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on Twitter.