MITT Romney, the former Republican White House hopeful and an outspoken critic of US president Donald Trump, has announced that he is seeking a US Senate seat in Utah. The announcement comes after speculation that Mr Romney might plan a return to the national political stage.

“I am running for United States Senate to serve the people of Utah and bring Utah’s values to Washington,” Mr Romney posted on Twitter.

Mr Romney, who also posted a video clip making the announcement, is running for a seat currently held by Republican Orrin Hatch, who in early January announced his retirement — against the urgings of Mr Trump.

In the video he posted, Mr Romney says, “Utah welcomes legal immigrants from around the world. Washington sends immigrants a message of exclusion. And on Utah Capitol Hill, people treat each other with respect.”

Mr Romney’s strong name recognition and stature as a respected establishment Republican would make him the instant frontrunner in conservative Utah, where he also has roots. The video announcement features his leadership of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and says the conservative state and its residents can show Washington how to govern respectfully.

The announcement suggests that Mr Romney is positioning himself as a challenger to Mr Trump.

In a 2016 speech, Mr Romney called fellow Republican Mr Trump a “phony, a fraud,” who was “playing the members of the American public for suckers.”

A wealthy businessman and former governor of Massachusetts, Mr Romney, 70, was the 2012 Republican presidential nominee but lost the 2012 presidential election to incumbent Barack Obama. Other than chiding Washington for sending immigrants “a message of exclusion,” Mr Romney doesn’t mention the administration in his campaign launch.

He is considered a heavy favourite for the Senate seat held by Orrin Hatch, following his retirement.