Sanders: I wish other Republicans shared Romney's 'sense of decency'

MANCHESTER, N.H. — Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersButtigieg surges in poll ahead of New Hampshire primary Buttigieg: It was 'disgraceful' to hear Trump's attacks on Romney House approves pro-union labor bill MORE (I-Vt.) praised Republican Sen. Mitt Romney Willard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyButtigieg: It was 'disgraceful' to hear Trump's attacks on Romney Sanders: I wish other Republicans shared Romney's 'sense of decency' Romney says he expects 'unimaginable' consequences after impeachment vote MORE (R-Utah) for his vote to convict President Trump Donald John TrumpTrump discusses coronavirus with China's Xi El Paso Walmart shooting suspect charged under federal hate crime law Buttigieg: It was 'disgraceful' to hear Trump's attacks on Romney MORE on the charge of abuse of power, telling voters on Thursday more Republicans should follow Romney's example.

The Senate voted to acquit Trump on Wednesday of both charges — abuse of power and obstruction of Congress — putting an end the impeachment proceedings that started late last year.

"I think that Mitt Romney showed a great deal of courage and I wish there were other Republicans that shared the same sense of decency," Sanders, who voted to convict Trump on both counts, said at a CNN town hall.

The Vermont senator's comments come one day after Romney shocked Washington and broke with his party to vote to convict Trump on the one impeachment article, saying “the president is guilty of an appalling abuse of public trust” and “a flagrant assault on our electoral rights.”

Romney voted against the second article of impeachment accusing the president of obstruction of Congress, which failed strictly along party lines.

The former 2012 Republican presidential nominee also received praise from a number of his Democratic counterparts, including Democratic presidential contender Sen. Michael Bennet Michael Farrand BennetSanders: I wish other Republicans shared Romney's 'sense of decency' The Hill's 12:30 Report: Trump, Pelosi take the gloves off; DNC wants Iowa recanvass 2020 candidates condemn Senate for acquitting Trump, set sights on election MORE (D-Colo.), who said it “restores my faith in democracy.”

However, Republicans expressed disappointment in Romney's decision, and Trump publicly criticized Romney for the vote.