Political Wire

Utah Republican Mulls Challenge to Hatch

October 9, 2017 at 8:26 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Boyd Matheson (R), a former chief of staff to Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT), is strongly considering a 2018 challenge to veteran GOP Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) – the latest in a string of potential primaries against sitting Republican senators, Politico reports.

“Matheson, a prominent conservative who currently runs the Salt Lake City-based Sutherland Institute think tank, would be a formidable contender should he decide to run. Matheson traveled to Washington last week, where he met with former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon and Citizens United President David Bossie. Both have emerged as leaders of an intensifying conservative campaign to oust Republican incumbents and replace them with bomb-throwing outsiders – an effort that is aimed at undermining Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.”

Hatch Would Lose to Wilson In Possible Match Up

September 11, 2017 at 4:22 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

A new Dan Jones & Associates poll in Utah finds Jenny Wilson (D) leading Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) in a possible U.S. Senate match up, 45% to 34%.

In contrast, Mitt Romney (R) would beat Wilson handily, 64% to 26%.

Romney Gearing Up for Possible Senate Bid

September 11, 2017 at 8:51 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Sources tell UtahPolicy.com that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is preparing to run for Senate in 2018 if Sen. Orrin Hatch decides to retire.

“Hatch’s reticence to make a definitive announcement is preventing other candidates from getting in the race, but Romney has the financial resources to mount a campaign no matter when Hatch decides.”

Hatch Says Wife Doesn’t Want Him to Run Again

July 7, 2017 at 12:37 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) told KUTV that he intends to run for re-election in 2018 but said his wife’s trepidation is giving him pause.

“The 83-year-old Hatch said he suspects he’ll need to decide before the end of the year, but said he’s not putting any hard timeline on it.”

Said Hatch: “Right now, I intend to run. But you know, Elaine is not real enthusiastic about it, which causes me to pause a little bit. But, I’m chairman of the finance committee, the most powerful committee in the whole Congress and we’re doing work that has never been done before and that needs to be done.”

Poll Shows McMullin Could Beat Hatch

April 21, 2017 at 8:10 am EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

A new JMC Analytics poll in Utah found Evan McMullin (I) would defeat Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) in a head-to-head match up, 33% to 29%, with an unnamed Democrat at 11% and 27% either undecided or for someone else.

Hatch Says He’ll Run Again

April 10, 2017 at 2:30 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) told KUTV that he plans to seek re-election in 2018.

But he added he could change his mind, “If my wife gets sick, or I get sick, or something like that.”

Romney Exploring a Senate Bid from Utah

April 6, 2017 at 2:41 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

The Alantic: “According to six sources familiar with the situation, Romney has spent recent weeks actively discussing a potential 2018 Senate bid with a range of high-level Republicans in both Utah and Washington, and has privately signaled a growing interest in the idea. Romney, though, has made clear he would not pursue the seat without Hatch’s blessing.”

Hatch Would Retire If Romney Agreed to Run

March 29, 2017 at 12:40 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) told National Journal that he would consider retiring if Mitt Romney ran to replace him.

Said Hatch: “I’ve expressed interest to him. I can see why he might not want to do it, but I can also see why if he did it, it would be a great thing for America.”

Hatch Will Run Again for Re-Election

March 9, 2017 at 3:35 pm EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) told CNN he “is planning to run for re-election next year, abandoning his plans to quit the chamber after four decades of service.”

“The Utah Republican — who promised in 2012 that his current term would be his last — said he has changed his mind at this time, partially because he’s been getting encouragement from President Donald Trump and top Republicans to run again.”

Hatch Very Vulnerable in Utah

January 26, 2017 at 11:59 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

A new Salt Lake Tribune poll in Utah shows Jon Huntsman (R) would beat Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) in a GOP Senate primary, 62% to 21%.

Key finding: 78% of voters survey say Hatch should “definitely not” or “probably not” run for re-election in 2018.

Huntsman Mulls Senate Bid In Utah

November 29, 2016 at 11:28 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman (R) told Bloomberg that he’s weighing a run for the U.S. Senate in 2018, depending in part on whether fellow Republican Orrin Hatch decides to seek an eighth term.

Said Huntsman: “I’ve always said that I’ve got one more run left in our bones. And I don’t know what that will be. But I love this country.”

Former Romney Aides Split Over Mike Lee

April 28, 2015 at 2:41 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 3 Comments

Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) “has hired consulting firm America Rising, led by Mitt Romney’s former campaign manager Matt Rhoades, to offer advice and research on potential 2016 opponents. That might result in a Romney confidant investigating the background of another Romney confidant,” the Salt Lake Tribune reports.

“Alex Dunn, who worked on Romney’s campaigns and on his gubernatorial staff in Massachusetts, is considering a run against Lee, spurred on by Spencer Zwick, Romney’s former finance director, and Josh Romney, one of Mitt Romney’s five sons.”

Romney Son Interested in Elected Office

April 22, 2015 at 12:53 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 49 Comments

Josh Romney, son of 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, told the Deseret News that he won’t challenge Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) in next year’s U.S. Senate race but said he’d like to see another Republican run against the first-term senator.

He also confirmed he’s interested in running for office someday.

Said Romney: “Politics is in my blood, unfortunately. It’s something I’ve seen and I’ve loved. I’m not sure what I’d do, or what capacity I’d run in, but I’m definitely looking to it.”

Lee Holds Lead in Possible Utah Match Up

April 9, 2015 at 8:50 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 15 Comments

A new Dan Jones and Associates poll finds Sen. Mike Lee (R) leading Jim Matheson (D) in a U.S. Senate match up by six points, 48% to 42%.

Huntsman Won’t Run for Senate

February 17, 2015 at 4:02 pm EST By Taegan Goddard 15 Comments

Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. (R) said he won’t challenge fellow Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) next year, the Deseret News reports.

Said Huntsman: “I don’t rule out another run, but not against Mike. We don’t always agree (who does) but he’s very capable.”

Lee May Face Establishment Primary Challenge

December 22, 2014 at 8:07 am EST By Taegan Goddard 10 Comments

“Tea party favorite Mike Lee roiled the GOP establishment four years ago when he knocked off a sitting senator on his way to the Republican Senate nomination in Utah. Now, the establishment might strike back,” Politico reports.

“As the 43-year-old Lee plots his 2016 reelection bid, he is courting business leaders under the radar, hoping to head off a primary challenge backed by business leaders and other establishment figures in his home state, like billionaire Jon Huntsman Sr., an influential bank CEO and a former Utah GOP party chairman.”