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

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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The poll ran between Aug. 30 and Sept. 5, reaching 608 voters and holding a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent. Read more about Romney's potential run at UtahPolicy.com.