Mitt Romney is reportedly ready to run for Utah's Senate seat if Orrin Hatch decides to retire

(Image credit: Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

published 11 September 2017

Mitt Romney is reportedly prepared to run for Senate in 2018 if Utah Sen. Orrin Hatch (R) decides to retire, people familiar with the two-time presidential candidate's plans told UtahPolicy.com.

Romney, who was the governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007 and the Republican presidential nominee in 2012, has long been rumored to be eyeing the 83-year-old senator's seat, although Hatch said in March: "I've chatted with Mitt, and he's not going to run for the Senate." Hatch has not firmly committed to running for an eighth term, and his ultimate decision is expected as late as December.

Romney nevertheless "has the financial resources to mount a campaign no matter when Hatch decides," UtahPolicy.com writes. And in a poll published Monday, UtahPolicy.com found Romney held 64 percent of the vote in a hypothetical race against Democratic challenger Jenny Wilson, who garnered 26 percent. Rep. Chris Stewart (R), who has also announced his interest in the Senate seat, polls less strongly against Wilson, with a 34 percent advantage to her 30 percent. Thirty-six percent of voters were undecided.

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.

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