Utah House Speaker Brad Wilson announces U.S. Senate run to replace Romney

Catch up quick: Wilson's announcement comes soon after Romney revealed he would not seek a second term.

• Wilson launched an exploratory committee in April to consider running for the seat and he's received endorsements from more than 60 conservative state lawmakers.
• Wilson announced his resignation — effective Nov. 15 — from the Utah House last week to focus on the campaign.

What he's saying: "We have an opportunity to send a conservative fighter to the U.S. Senate, armed with Utah's conservative values, who will fight for change," Wilson told supporters Wednesday.

• "I am that conservative fighter," he said.

Details: Former Utah House Speaker Greg Hughes and state Reps. Kera Birkeland (R-Morgan) and Karianne Lisonbee (R-Clearfield) were among the speakers at the event praising Wilson's leadership in the state Legislature.

By the numbers: Wilson amassed more than $1 million in campaign contributions and loaned himself another $1.2 million, per Federal Election Commission filings from April through June.

The other side: Utah Democratic Party chair Diane Lewis released a statement last week slamming Wilson for overseeing "some of the most divisive and partisan legislation" in state history.

• Lewis pointed to Republican state lawmakers' efforts to pass bills targeting transgender youth and restricting abortion access.
• "As he embarks on a campaign for Senate, we will continue to remind Utahns of that record," she said.

Flashback: Gov. Spencer Cox gave Wilson a "tentative endorsement" last week.

• "It's no secret that I'm very close to our current speaker of the House," Cox said during his monthly news conference.
• "He's the type of person that would make an incredible senator," the governor added. "I believe he's one of the best speakers of the House that we've ever had in this state."