Romney blames GOP midterm losses on 'bad policy, bad character'

WASHINGTON — Former Sen. Mitt Romney attributed Republicans' sweeping midterm losses to a lack of sound policy and compassionate governing, urging members of his party to reverse course.

In a statement on social media, Romney criticized the Republican Party for what he viewed as missteps on issues ranging from the economy to immigration to government corruption. Romney's assessment comes as Republicans search for an answer as to why their performance was worse than what party leaders predicted, with lawmakers already pointing fingers.

"Bad policy, bad character make bad politics: erratic tariffs, impulsive Iran war, blanket pardons, apparent corruption, weaponized justice, ICE brutality, mountainous deficits, hiding Epstein, abandoning allies and coddling enemies," Romney wrote in a post. "Hoping for a course correction, for the country and for my party."

Democrats secured a resounding victory in the midterm elections on Tuesday night, flipping control of both the House and Senate in a major upset to Republicans. Although some races are still pending, Democrats have already won the seats needed to hold somewhat comfortable margins in both chambers.

Democrats credited their victory to affordability and growing dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump, while Republican leaders largely acknowledged the war in Iran complicated their path to holding their majorities.

Vice President JD Vance said on Wednesday that the war was "the reason we lost," noting the president agreed with that assessment.

"If you'd like to argue it was worth it, that losing the Senate for the next 6 years was worth it, then do so. Argue it was a worthwhile cost to pay," Vance wrote. "Agree or disagree, that's at least honest. But everyone knows why we lost. And any honest conversation about where we go from here must start there."

Meanwhile, Utah Sen. John Curtis suggested Republicans lost because the party largely abandoned its core conservative principles to win elections — a strategy that ultimately backfired. Curtis called the midterm election a "wake-up call."