Paul Ryan is psyched that his old running mate Mitt Romney wants to join him in Washington

(Image credit: John Gress/Getty Images)

Mitt Romney announced his long-expected candidacy for Utah's Senate seat Friday, and House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) could barely contain his excitement. Romney is vying to assume the seat that will be vacated by retiring Sen. Orrin Hatch (R).

In a statement, Ryan, who ran alongside Romney during his failed 2012 presidential bid, declared: "This is a terrific day for the United States Senate." Ryan added that "[the Republican Party] and our country are always better off when Mitt is engaged" and pledged his "unwavering support" to his candidacy.

The speaker also predicted that Romney would win his Senate race and assured Romney's future constituents that they "will be getting an accomplished and decent man when they make him their next senator." Most observers believe that Romney will cruise to a victory in Utah's Senate race, and he is reportedly expected to ascend to leadership roles within the upper chamber upon his expected victory. Read Ryan's exuberant statement below. Kelly O'Meara Morales

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Kelly O'Meara Morales is a staff writer at The Week. He graduated from Sarah Lawrence College and studied Middle Eastern history and nonfiction writing amongst other esoteric subjects. When not compulsively checking Twitter, he writes and records music, subsists on tacos, and watches basketball.