Posted on 01/02/2018 2:09:34 PM PST by Kaslin
Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) is not running for re-election, an announcement which immediately renewed rumors that former presidential candidate and Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will run for the open seat. His path would be pretty crystal clear, it seems.
Mr. Hatch’s decision clears the way for the political resurrection of Mr. Romney, the former Massachusetts governor and 2012 Republican presidential nominee who is now a Utah resident and is popular in the Mormon-heavy state. Mr. Romney has told associates he would likely run if Mr. Hatch retires.“It would be difficult to defeat Mitt Romney if he were running here,” said David Hansen, a longtime Utah Republican strategist and chairman of Mr. Hatch’s political organization. (The New York Times)
Hatch, 83, is the longest serving Senate Republican, having served seven terms. He reportedly decided to retire after speaking with his family and praying during the holiday break.
"Every good fighter knows when to hang up the gloves," Hatch said in a video message released on Tuesday.
Hatch reflected on his proudest achievements, particularly his part in the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which protects the religious liberty of all Americans, he explained.
President Trump, who last month traveled with Hatch to Utah to shrink two of the state's national monuments, said at the time he hoped the senator would “continue to serve" his state and country in the Senate "for a very long time to come.”
Hatch said he was "grateful" to have served, but is looking forward to spending more time with his family.
Thanks to the 17th amendment, he can if he wants to.
Cities like to get in on the fun by allowing local minority representatives to live in the ritzier parts of town, outside of their districts and away from their constituents.
I hope Sen. Hatch enjoys some quiet time.
“Isn’t Romney carpetbagging from Michigan? Or is it Massechusets?”
He sold his Massachusetts home. News reports suggest he is selling his La Jolla, California beachfront home. He has a lakefront mansion in New Hampshire. Two homes in Utah. He does not own a home in Michigan. His childhood home in Detroit was razed in 2009 as part of Detroit’s urban renewal plan.
Anybody BUT Romney. He’s a squish of the highest order....
and Trump knows it.
Romney? ~~retch~~ No!
it is necessarily just the voters in Utah that elect him, look at the outside influence in the recent Alabama election.
It’s up to the people of Utah, but Mitt will harm all of us when he tries to sabotage Trump at every turn and votes like the RINO he is.
Great. Finally getting Teddy Kennedy’s best bud out after 42 years, only to be replaced by Mr. RomneyCare himself.
Sometimes it seems things only go from bad to worse.
I suppose a conservative would have no chance if he jumped in the race against Mittens?
“Either Jason Chaffetz or Mia Love could walk into that seat in Utah, who needs or wants Romney?”
I don’t know about Chaffetz but Love has her lips permanently affixed to Paul Ryan’s rear quarters and therefore I don’t think she’s available.
“Let us not forget the good people of Utah elected Senator Mike Lee. There are only two in Congress who receive 100% conservative scores from Heritage Action and Mike Lee is one of the two. http://www.heritageactionscorecard.com/members This garbage about Romney being the next Utah Senator is just garbage. Remember back to 2015 when the media and the Elite Republicans kept telling us JEB Bush was going to be the Republican candidate.”
Utah chooses candidates by caucus or convention, doesn’t it? If so, how would that affect Romney’s chances (as opposed to a primary)?
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