While no official announcements have yet been made, according to sources familiar with Romney's plans, the former presidential nominee will be running for a US senate seat in Utah.

His official announcement was expected on Thursday but it has been postponed because of the school shooting in Florida that left 17 dead. He tweeted that "Out of respect for the victims and their families, I will not be making an announcement tomorrow about the Senate race."

It is expected that Romney will pledge to bring Utah values to Washington. During the 2016 presidential campaign he urged Republicans not to support the current president, Donald Trump.