Longtime Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) is leaning towards retirement, two sources tell TPM, and has told former GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney that he wants him to run if he does decide to step down.
Those comments come after five sources told The Atlantic’s McKay Coppins, the best-sourced reporter on Mormon politicians, that Hatch is telling allies he’s planning to retire at the end of his term next year.
Two sources close to Hatch’s office tell TPM that he’s leaning towards retirement, though he hasn’t made a final decision, and that he’s told Mitt Romney that he wants him to step up for the seat if he does decide to retire.
“It is true, Hatch has told Romney ‘I want you to replace me if I don’t run again’ but the timing is crucial,” said one source, who said Hatch doesn’t want to be sidelined in the ongoing tax reform push or hurt the efforts. “If I were to buy futures I’d probably be buying futures on someone besides Hatch being senator.”
Another source concurred, saying Hatch hasn’t made a final decision and is waiting to make any announcement until the tax reform effort is done one way or the other.
“He’s just gone back and forth and my guess is he’s going to retire,” another source close to Hatch’s office told TPM. “Some people on his staff have said that [he’s retiring] but a couple have said he’s going to run again. He’s trying to keep himself in the mix for now but he’s almost 84.”
That would be a sea change in Utah politics as well as in the Senate, where Hatch has served since the 1980s.
But recent polls have shown most Utahns want Hatch to retire — and even his allies concede he’s likely to face a tough primary challenger that won’t be as easy to dispatch as the one he defeated six years ago.
That could open the door to a Trump ally in a state where even most Republicans don’t like the president.
“A really strong primary challenger could beat him and he’s got to know that,” TPM’s source said.
If Romney runs, he’d likely be the strong favorite in a state where the Mormon church still holds immense sway over state politics. Romney has been fiercely critical of Trump, and could fill a void that’s being left by the retirement of fellow Trump critic (and Mormon) Sen. Jeff Flake (R-AZ) as well as Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN).
Hatch’s office pushed back on both TPM’s and The Atlantic’s reports.
“He has not made a final decision yet. If you have seen Sen. Hatch, he always stands straight and tall. He isn’t ‘leaning’ one way or the other,” Hatch spokesman Dave Hansen told TPM in an email.
“Nothing has changed since The Atlantic published a carbon copy of this same story in April, likely with the same anonymous sources who were no more informed on the Senator’s thinking than they seem to be now,” he told The Atlantic. “Senator Hatch is focused on leading the Senate’s efforts to pass historic tax reform, confirming strong judges to courts around the country, and continuing to fight through the gridlock to deliver results for Utah. He has not made a final decision about whether or not to seek reelection, but plans to by the end of the year.”
This story was updated at 3:30 p.m. EST.
I can see it now, Mittens campaigning across Utah with his dog strapped to the roof of the car, ignoring 47% of the population…
This Mitt Romney? The one Trump screwed over and humiliated when dangling Secretary of State in front of him?
Oooh, this should be good, that is if the U.S. hasn’t been immolated in nuclear fire first.
So the office pushes back - nothing has changed (suggestion - no decision made).
So in this era of GOP intrigue and back stabbing - who planted the story - and why? Mitts folks (nudge Hatch), Bannon’s folks (embarrass/harass hatch) - or other motivation?
Good riddance.
“> That would be a sea change in Utah politics as well as in the Senate, where Hatch has served since the 1980s.”
Correction: Orrin Hatch has been serving since January 3rd, 1977