Romney, speaking to CBS News’ John Dickerson at the Aspen Ideas Festival, said a son asked him as recently as Tuesday to do so.

“My wife and kids wanted me to run again this time, interestingly enough,” Romney said. “I got an email from one of my sons yesterday, saying ‘You gotta get in, Dad! You gotta get in!’ ”

Romney did not specify which of his five sons sent him the note.

“For my wife and kids to say, ‘Do it again’ — and I’m talking about late in the process here — they were concerned about the direction of the nominating process in our party,” Romney said, before being reminded that he pushed his dad to remain engaged even after his political defeats. “I appreciate the fact that they’re doing that — but my dad didn’t run when there was no chance of winning.”