Mitt Romney says he will vote for Ted Cruz in Utah's presidential contest this coming Tuesday.

The former GOP nominee for president previously rebuked Donald Trump in a splintering take-down that, much to the chagrin of many establishment Republicans, did little to halt Trump's momentum. In that speech Romney said he would vote for whichever candidate had the greatest chance of defeating Trump in a given state. He did not, however, endorse a single candidate at that time.

Romney's public show of support for Cruz is tantamount to an endorsement. He says he will not support John Kasich, the only other Republican challenger left besides Cruz, because he does not believe Kasich has a strong enough chance of preventing Trump from winning the party's nomination.

Romney made his announcement on Facebook, writing,

Today, there is a contest between Trumpism and Republicanism. Through the calculated statements of its leader, Trumpism has become associated with racism, misogyny, bigotry, xenophobia, vulgarity and, most recently, threats and violence. I am repulsed by each and every one of these.

The only path that remains to nominate a Republican rather than Mr. Trump is to have an open convention. At this stage, the only way we can reach an open convention is for Senator Cruz to be successful in as many of the remaining nominating elections as possible.

I like Governor John Kasich. I have campaigned with him. He has a solid record as governor. I would have voted for him in Ohio. But a vote for Governor Kasich in future contests makes it extremely likely that Trumpism would prevail.

I will vote for Senator Cruz and I encourage others to do so as well, so that we can have an open convention and nominate a Republican.

https://www.facebook.com/mittromney/posts/10153370698696121