Has Trump Persuaded Orrin Hatch to Block Romney?
December 21, 2017 at 9:03 am ESTBy Taegan Goddard
McKay Coppins: After months of quietly laying the groundwork for his own retirement, the 83-year-old Utah senator has signaled to Republican allies in recent weeks that hes having second thoughts about leaving office when his term ends next year. Interviews with 10 people familiar with the situationsome of whom requested anonymity to speak candidlysuggest that President Trumps efforts to convince Hatch to seek reelection have influenced the senators thinking.
This perceived about-face by the seven-term senator has enraged loyalists to Mitt Romney, who had been planning to run for Hatchs seat (at the senators urging no, less). Meanwhile, many Utah Republicans have grown impatient and aggravated with Hatch as he repeatedly postpones announcing his reelection decision.
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https://politicalwire.com/2017/12/21/trump-persuaded-orrin-hatch-block-romney/