Still not dead???

Utah Republican fuels speculation Hatch will retire

'We're trying to get Mitt.'

By COLIN WILHELM

A Utah Republican added fuel to speculation that Senate Finance Committee Chair Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) will retire and former GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney may run for the seat.

While on their way to the House floor, Rep. Mia Love (R-Utah) told another House Republican she expected Hatch, 83, to retire in 2018 at the end of his current term. Love said she would not run for Hatch’s seat. The exchange took place in front of a POLITICO reporter.

“No, but Hatch isn’t sticking around,” Love said when asked whether she would run for the Senate if Hatch steps down. “We’re trying to get Mitt,” Love added, referring to Romney.

Whether Hatch will run for reelection is an open question right now. First elected in 1976, Hatch is one of the longest-serving senators in history. He’s chairman of the Finance Committee — the most powerful panel in the Senate — and president pro tem, which puts him third in line for the presidency. Hatch said during his 2012 campaign that it would be his last term, although he is reconsidering his declaration now.

It’s been speculated that Romney, who is popular in Utah, would run for Hatch’s seat if the veteran GOP lawmaker decides to retire, and Hatch is believed to favor Romney as his replacement. A recent poll by the Salt Lake Tribune showed Utahans want Hatch to retire and that Romney would be the leading candidate to replace him.

Hatch has said that he is running, but he intends to make his final decision by the end of this year.

Hatch spokesperson Matt Whitlock responded to an inquiry about Hatch’s status with a dig at Love, who’s expected to have a competitive reelection race.

“While we appreciate the congresswoman’s concern for the future of this critical Senate seat, despite her own tightening House race, she has been misinformed,” Whitlock told POLITICO. “Senator Hatch has said he intends to run but will make a final decision by the end of the year.”

Whitlock continued: “When that decision is made, he will make the announcement himself. Nobody — be they consultants, operatives, or reported ‘close friends’ — will make that decision or announcement for him.”

In a statement made on Twitter hours later, Love responded, denying she spoke about Hatch’s further plans.

“I have great respect and admiration for Senator Hatch,” Love said in the statement. “I appreciate his friendship and support for me throughout my career, and I will continue my long-running support for him.”