Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah will host a re-election fundraiser in early January, raising further questions about whether he will actually retire from Congress. Hatch is the most senior Republican currently in the Senate.
Hatch will reportedly invite donors to his eighth annual ski fundraiser in January at the St. Regis Hotel in Park City, Utah, where the suggested donation reaches as high as $5,000 for families.
Hatch’s fundraiser announcement has served as a shock to many, who expected him to announce his retirement in early 2018 once he and congressional Republicans successfully pass the Republican Tax Cuts and Jobs Act before Christmas. Hatch, who serves as the Senate Finance chairman, played a very significant role in passing the Senate tax cut legislation last week. These reports are good news for President Trump who has been actively encouraging the Utah Senator to run for another term.
Breitbart reports that sources close to failed presidential candidate Mitt Romney suggested that he would be interested in running for Utah Senate if Sen. Hatch were to retire.
This is the last thing the President wants. Romney has reportedly told members of the Utah political landscape that he won’t run strictly as a never Trump candidate but will not compromise his views to please the President.
Spokesman Matt Whitlock of the Hatch campaign told CNN that Sen. Hatch will hold the fundraiser regardless of his pending decision.
“Senator Hatch holds this event every year in order to gather longtime political friends and allies in Utah. He will hold the event regardless of his final decision about 2018,” Whitlock said.
Senator Hatch announced officially on Wednesday that after passing tax reform and other significant legislation, he will discuss with his family his plans for the future.
This is an ongoing report check back for updates.
