This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A new poll says Utah voters are ready for Sen. Orrin Hatch to retire, but the longest-serving Republican senator isn't ruling out a 2018 campaign just yet.
The survey, conducted by Public Policy Polling, found that 71 percent of Utah's likely voters believe Hatch, who is 82, should hang it up, while 19 percent say he should vie for an eighth term.
Hatch said during the 2012 primary election that he wouldn't run again, but since then he's demurred while continuing to raise campaign money. Those with ties to the senator say he's keeping his options open, though his decision may be heavily influenced by this November's election. If Republicans hold on to the Senate majority, Hatch may be more inclined to run again, because he could continue serving as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee and president pro tempore, a largely ceremonial title that means he's third in line for the presidency.
"I would be surprised if he didn't look at it because he is in such a strong position," said Jeff Hartley, a Utah lobbyist who worked on Hatch's 1994 campaign. "I think if he is healthy enough, he should certainly consider it."
But the poll found that another bid would face resistance from across the political spectrum, with 62 percent of Republicans, 80 percent of independents and 84 percent of Democrats saying he should stand aside and let someone else take the seat.
The poll, conducted by a Democratic firm, also found that 41 percent approved of the job Hatch is doing, while 43 percent disapproved.
"Sen. Hatch is accomplishing more than ever in Congress and remains focused on delivering meaningful results for Utah and electing Republicans in November," said Rob Porter, Hatch's chief of staff. "Nothing about an East Coast, Democrat poll gaming out a hypothetical race more than two years away will change his determination to serve Utah."
Porter added: "We're all looking to get through the 2016 elections before giving any thought to 2018."
Boyd Matheson, president of the conservative Utah-based Sutherland Institute, said many voters from both parties are dissatisfied with government as is. The real test will be whether those poll numbers change in the next nine months or so. And if Democrats reclaim control of the Senate this November, he said, Hatch may not be interested in being in the minority.
Matheson, former chief of staff for Sen. Mike Lee, is among a group of Republicans rumored to be considering a run. Others include Josh Romney, the son of 2012 GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney, Reps. Jason Chaffetz and Chris Stewart and state Sen. Deidre Henderson, R-Spanish Fork. Matheson said he wouldn't rule out a campaign, but that he is committed to Sutherland at this time.
Hatch first won his seat in 1976 and had faced no significant challenge until the Republican primary of 2012. He spent more than $10 million on that campaign, seeking to get his supporters elected as delegates to the state GOP convention. He was successful, leading to an easy primary victory over former state Sen. Dan Liljenquist and a general-election romp. But during that race, his longevity was his biggest weakness and he responded to the criticism by saying it would be "my last term in the Senate."
"I don't have time to run after this one," he told The Salt Lake Tribune at the time.
If Hatch does run again, he'll need to explain those comments and why he should be given another six years, said Hartley, who pointed to the powerful positions Hatch holds. Recently, Hatch has been an outspoken opponent to confirmation hearings on U.S. Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland. He has also been one of Utah's strongest supporters of Donald Trump's presidential bid.
The latest survey from Public Policy Polling found Trump up 15 percentage points over Democrat Hillary Clinton in Utah.
In other results:
• 64 percent of Utahns support legalizing medical marijuana.
• 81 percent back broader background checks on gun purchases.
• 61 percent support increasing the minimum wage to at least $10 per hour.
• Voters overwhelmingly like Mitt Romney (63 percent favorability) and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman (62 percent), and are less supportive of Reps. Chaffetz and Mia Love, who both received 42 percent.
Twitter: @mattcanham