Romney reveals he wrote in wife's name for president in 2016

Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyNicki Minaj endorses Cuomo for governor Thank goodness Trump gets what Obama failed to grasp on economy Budget hawk warns 'Tax Cuts 2.0.' would balloon debt MORE revealed Wednesday that when it came time to vote for president in 2016, he wrote in his wife Ann’s name.

"I wrote in the name of a person who I admire deeply, who I think would be an excellent president," Romney told the editorial boards of Utah's Deseret News and KSL. "I realized it wasn't going to go anywhere, but nonetheless felt that I was putting in a very solid name."

The former GOP presidential nominee and current Utah Senate candidate had not previously stated publicly for whom he had voted in the 2016 presidential election.

Romney had said that he would not vote for President TrumpDonald John TrumpPoll: Democrat McCaskill leads Republican Hawley by 3 points in Missouri Senate race Pence cancels trip to Georgia after Hurricane Florence path changes Trump's school safety commission will not support age limits for gun purchases: report MORE or Democratic nominee Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonKavanaugh explains 'abortion-inducing drugs' remark amid backlash Sheldon Whitehouse coasts to victory in Rhode Island primary Left risks backlash in Kavanaugh fight MORE.

Romney, a frequent critic of Trump during the then-candidate's 2016 campaign, was considered for a role in the Trump administration as secretary of State before being passed over for Rex TillersonRex Wayne TillersonWoodward book shames Trump shills, apologists and enablers Trump gives 'red card' to reporters during meeting with FIFA head True cost of rampant White House turnover: Inexperience breeds incompetence MORE.

Trump has endorsed Romney in the race, but the candidate said last month that he was not ready to endorse the president for reelection in 2020.

The former presidential nominee said earlier this week that he doesn't view Trump "as a role model for my grandkids."

Romney hopes to fill retiring Sen. Orrin HatchOrrin Grant HatchGOP senators condemn 'vulgar' messages directed at Collins over Kavanaugh Biz groups fracture after Dodd-Frank rollback Cruz gets help from Senate GOP in face of serious challenge from O’Rourke MORE's (R-Utah) Senate seat. He faced a hiccup in that bid last month, when he failed to win enough votes to secure the GOP nomination for the seat at the state's GOP convention.

He will face off against state Rep. Mike Kennedy (R) in a primary next month.