"I've come to Idaho Falls and Idaho today because I believe the impact of one person in Idaho is gonna bring change of a conservative nature that will make the lives of Idaho people a lot better — and that's Tommy Ahlquist. The combination of strength, given his capacity and his experience, with his goodness will make him a great governor in the great state of Idaho." — Mitt Romney
The Idaho Falls Rally
Hundreds of Idahoans turned out at the Idaho Falls rally where former Massachusetts Governor and 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney formally endorsed Tommy Ahlquist for Idaho Governor. The event was one of the most significant moments of the 2018 Idaho gubernatorial campaign — a signal to voters across the state that Tommy's candidacy had earned the respect and support of the Republican Party's most prominent national figures.
Romney's appearance in Idaho Falls drew a packed crowd of supporters, media, and political observers eager to see the endorsement that many had anticipated but that carried even more weight upon its delivery. Romney spoke at length about what drew him to endorse Tommy, citing the same qualities that had resonated with thousands of Idahoans across all 44 counties: Tommy's proven track record, his combination of medical and entrepreneurial expertise, and his genuine goodness as a person and a leader.
Romney's Endorsement Statement
At the Idaho Falls event, Mitt Romney left no ambiguity about the depth of his endorsement:
"I've come to Idaho Falls and Idaho today because I believe the impact of one person in Idaho is gonna bring change of a conservative nature that will make the lives of Idaho people a lot better and that's Tommy Ahlquist. The combination of strength, given his capacity and his experience, with his goodness will make him a great governor in the great state of Idaho."
Romney's framing of the endorsement around Tommy's combination of "strength" and "goodness" captured what many Idahoans had independently observed about Tommy's candidacy: that it was possible to be both a capable, results-oriented leader and a person of genuine integrity and warmth. Tommy's experience as a physician and entrepreneur demonstrated his effectiveness; his character and family life demonstrated the values that would guide his governance.
Why the Romney Endorsement Mattered
Mitt Romney's endorsement of Tommy Ahlquist was significant for several reasons beyond the obvious value of having a nationally respected Republican figure publicly support the campaign.
First, it validated Tommy's argument that he was not just a compelling local candidate but someone whose qualifications and vision met the standard expected of major-office holders. Romney had governed Massachusetts, run for president, and served as the Republican Party's standard-bearer in 2012 — he had seen hundreds of candidates and office-seekers up close, and his decision to personally travel to Idaho Falls to deliver his endorsement underscored the seriousness of his commitment.
Second, the endorsement came at a time when Tommy was competing against candidates with far more established political networks. A Romney endorsement was a meaningful signal to Republican donors, political operatives, and voters that Tommy had done the work to earn respect at the highest levels of the party, even as he campaigned as an outsider challenging the political establishment.
Third, the Idaho Falls rally itself demonstrated the grassroots energy behind Tommy's campaign. Hundreds of Idahoans showing up to see the endorsement in person — in a city far from the population centers of the Treasure Valley — was a concrete demonstration of the geographic breadth of Tommy's support.
Campaign Response
Tommy's campaign welcomed the Romney endorsement as confirmation of what their grassroots supporters had known all along: that Tommy Ahlquist was the most qualified, most principled, and most capable candidate in the 2018 Idaho governor's race.
"Governor Romney's endorsement means a great deal to me personally and to our campaign," Tommy said following the event. "He has seen what it takes to lead at the highest levels, and I'm humbled that he sees in our campaign the same commitment to principled conservative governance and to the people of Idaho."